Family Church in Jamestown

[blondie]

I attended Family Church on Garfield Rd for awhile, and got tired of them asking for money every time you turned around. It is a growing church for some strange reason, but I think there are plenty of reasons why not to go there: the people that do attend(at least some) seem pretty well to do, snobby, including the church leadership, their money thing, the pastoral leadership doesn't like returning phone calls/ e mails.

[NextHowardStern]

I am a preacher's son, BOTH parents were preachers in the Chautauqua County area for a very long time....forced to go to church 18 years of my life. Some of thier churches included, Sheridan, Forestville-Nashville, Edward's Chapel, Ripley-South Ripley all United Methodist Churches. My parents, although caught up in the politics of the church, always did the best they could to return calls, go to the hospital to see a sick parisher, no matter what time of day or night. All churches AREN'T like that. However, any church you go to, there will always be politics, because most of them are more a long the lines of "tradition" and don't want some new young people coming in like they own the place and changing what people have been accustomed to for countless years. Today currently, my mother is on the disbability line, because the district closed her church, and forced her on disablity. She has had many medical problems in the past and the church is TIRED of paying her medical bills. My father is now legally blind has a seeing eye dog, and retired. HOWEVER, he is still currently serving a church in South Buffalo, NY, part time. There's soooooo much more I could say, but I am out of time, I have to go to work!

[Xavier]

Politics should never play a part in religion, norshould the well to do attiudes. Christ was never like this, why should we? Did thir best to return calls? This is why you delegate responsibility to an associate, also like Christ did. I went to Family Church a few times, didn't seem too friendly, and the pastor didn't seem to stick around too long after the service. Kids were allowed to run around with no supervision. Never again.

[landlord]

Now I am quite positive that you're my delinquent, nonpaying former tenant. Talked a whole lot about church and God. What about paying for what you took? Does your religion relieve you of cleaning up cat sh1t? The smell WILL NOT wash out of the walls and you WILL PAY.

[NextHowardStern]

I never had a cat, so you ain't talking to me.

[pu that smells]

NextHowardStern wrote:

I never had a cat, so you ain't talking to me.

Have you tried odo-ban availible at Sam's Club?

[NextHowardStern]

pu that smells wrote:

<quoted text>
Have you tried odo-ban availible at Sam's Club?

Dude, ever tried soap and water available at ANY store, and water out of your tap?

[GodisanawesomeGo d]

I also attend Family Church and I'm sorry you feel that way. They don't force you to give there, it's Biblical to tithe. Why would you want to attend a church that doesn't follow the Bible? The pastoral staff there are not snobby and are real down to earth people. Family Church is growing and that is because GOD IS THERE! They don't sugar coat anything for anyone's convenience, they tell the Biblical Truth. As for returning calls, maybe you were leaving the message in the wrong voicemail. I've never had a problem with them not returning calls. Hopefully you have a change of heart and God opens your eyes to see how much good is in that church.
God Bless.

[Xavier]

Unfortunately if you go somewhere long enough you begin to believe things they want you to see. Please don't make excuses for others when you don't know a situation. They do ask a bit much fo their building fund-$50+ a week? What about tipping their pastor (new concept they came up with last year)?

God opened my eyes far enough to know He isn't there. Why would God send me to another church if He is supposedly "there"?

[Xavier]

BTW, maybe you can clarify something: Why on Earth would a church need to advertise on a daily basis, declaring, "Real Life, Real People, Real God"? Are they trying to state that the real God doesn't exist anywhere else? A church can get maximum exposure through church get togethers, fund raisers, etc. The ad has to be running someone a pretty penny. Why is it that they also don't like discussing their financial affairs? Most churches do this to show the perishoners where money (tithes and offerings) go.

I'm sorry that you don't see what other people see in that place. I'm sure the people you mix with are down to earth people, but leadership should be more visible to all. My pastor now is all that, and does return phone calls when he is out of the office serving other church needs.

[King of Jamestown]

GodisanawesomeGod wrote:

I also attend Family Church and I'm sorry you feel that way. They don't force you to give there, it's Biblical to tithe. Why would you want to attend a church that doesn't follow the Bible? The pastoral staff there are not snobby and are real down to earth people. Family Church is growing and that is because GOD IS THERE! They don't sugar coat anything for anyone's convenience, they tell the Biblical Truth. As for returning calls, maybe you were leaving the message in the wrong voicemail. I've never had a problem with them not returning calls. Hopefully you have a change of heart and God opens your eyes to see how much good is in that church.
God Bless.

I see that you didn't come back to answer Xavier's questions regarding this church. Why? I attended this church a few times in '07, and sorry, they did seem a bit snobby. The times I attended I couldn't find pastoral staf to ask questions. The "real" reason they're growing isn't because "God" is there, but because seemingly all the young women are pregnant. Good thing I am not a young woman any more.

[Who Stole My Cheetos]

Tithing aint no biblr thing, what is God going to do with that mooney? Seriously. It is a man made rule so that some will get rich.

[jackslab]

Who Stole My Cheetos wrote:

Tithing aint no biblr thing, what is God going to do with that mooney? Seriously. It is a man made rule so that some will get rich.

God doesn't want or need the money (It's His anyway) What he wants is our hearts. He knows how much we need money so he wants to see what you love....Him or the money. You don't part with something that means the most to you. It's not money but the LOVE of it that is the root of all evil....When you tithe....God promises to return it to you 10-fold (but the catch is...don't do it for the return...do it out of your heart because you have been blessed and want to give back) If it's not from your heart....you might as well keep your money

[jackstab]

jackslab wrote:

<quoted text>
God doesn't want or need the money (It's His anyway) What he wants is our hearts. He knows how much we need money so he wants to see what you love....Him or the money. You don't part with something that means the most to you. It's not money but the LOVE of it that is the root of all evil....When you tithe....God promises to return it to you 10-fold (but the catch is...don't do it for the return...do it out of your heart because you have been blessed and want to give back) If it's not from your heart....you might as well keep your money

If He doesnt want or need it, then why push tithing? Why push giving money, not something his "kingdom" needs here on Earth? A good part of a church's time is spent on lecturing on the fruitfulness of the money that's been placed in the collection plate.

A number of years ago when I believed in this nonsense, I put more than my 10 % in (and I really did care). Nothing happened. I was still broke, out of work even. Even got shut of notices in the mail, and had some of our utilities shut off. I even tried prayer. Still nothing. Now, over twenty years later and being a non believer since, I am a certified non believer, been with a good job for over 15 years, never again had to worry about my utility bills being shut off. We just bought a home not too long ago. So you can say what you want to but don't be telling me that the more I give to a church the more I'll be blessed with blessings, because this is a lot of bologna. Too many people believe in this crap, they've been brainwashed into believing it. If it is illegal for me to beg for money (it's called panhandling) why shouldn't it be for these religious organizations??

[isxism]

I'm an athiest...but I'm flexible... when it come to be my time, if it'll help...

I have not seen anything that will save me, nor have I seen anything that will damn me (except for this URL)

McGovern in '08

[jackslab]

Dear Jackstab~
I'm sorry that you feel this way. I'm not trying to convert anyone or anything like that. I only know what the bible says and it has worked for me and countless others.

I can't answer why it went the way that it did for you. Perhaps, like Job, you were being tested. I'm not omniscient so I don't know. All I can say is that faith on Earth, no matter what your circumstances may be, should prove joyful because nothing here can be destroyed that won't be restored in the heavens.

And like I said before about wanting and needing the money...It's about the heart. Seeing what's in the heart. I'm sure plenty of churches use tithing in the wrong way. That's for them to be judged on later by the Lord. Don't look to the right or to the left, but straight up. Everything else can and does get corrupt.

I have no judgment as to your circumstances or anyone else's. I'm no better or worse than the next guy and don't claim to have all the answers....I wish I did....life would be much easier. I only pray for the truth to set our souls free.

[GodisanAwesomeGo d]

One: Tithing is in the bible. read up before you decide to comment (Malachi 3:10, countless others. Do you really want to rob from God? I hope not). Two: did you not here everytime before the pastor said anything about money "It's not the amount?" I don't give 50 a week for the building fund. And it's not for a building, a church isn't a building. It's to save lives! To give those who haven't heard the Gospel a chance at eternal life!(hello!) And if you feel that God isn't there, maybe it wasn't God directing you to another church. Then again, maybe it was, He has people in certain places for certain reasons.
Also, it's the end times people. I mean come on. Churches in our area allowing lesbians to pastor churches. Why would a Bible teaching church associate with that. DON'T GET ME WRONG! There are Bible teaching churhes, I know plenty of them. But I'm not lowering my standards for someone's doctrines that they believe because it makes them feel better. READ REVELATIONS!!!! I'm just saying. God's at Family Church. Otherwise why on earth would we be growing at our rate?
And the whole snobby thing? Please. I went once with my mom. Said all they do is talk about money. Didn't go for another 4 months. Went one day because God told me to try it again. And they remembered my name still. Snobby? Seriously? A church full of friendly faces and people who invite comeplete strangers for dinners and bbqs in the summer? Half the poulation are teenagers!
I honestly hope you can open your eyes and see the truth some day. If you're not in a Bible teaching church, a true one at that, I earnestly hope that you come and visit.
I haven't responded because I haven't been online in awhile. To anyone who honestly had an issue to that.

[GodisanAwesomeGo d]

And to jackstab:

Tithing isn't just about being rich and taking care of finances. You also need faith, true faith. It's not just faith. Other areas of your life that may have not been what God wanted could have altered that as well. Believe me, I was there.

Before I went to Family Church, I tithed, went to church every Sunday, and was even in my Church's choir. Needless to say, I was broke. Had no money. Didn't understand why. The day I started dating someone I knew I shouldn't I had no money to my name. The day I broke up with him, I had a 400 dollar check in the mail with my name on it. It's not always about giving money to recieve money. It states in Malachi 3:11 it also gives us protection and health. Read up on it.

Also, being rich isn't what it's about. It's about knowing that you never have to worry about a single thing in life. God has everything you need and more (He'll open the windows of heaven for you!) The only other time in the Bible the windows of heaven were open was when the earth was flooded. You get a bill in the mail you don't have the money for? And you're honestly and faithfully in a good church, and fellowshipping with others, and have a relationship with God. You can go to Him and say: Here's my bill. Now what are You going to do about it? I'm in a covenant relationship with you and so here's my obsticle. Help me get over it. Now it can't be a one way thing. God needs things from us as well. Thus part of it is tithing, among many many other things.

[Awwww]

GodisanAwesomeGod wrote:

And to jackstab:
Tithing isn't just about being rich and taking care of finances. You also need faith, true faith. It's not just faith. Other areas of your life that may have not been what God wanted could have altered that as well. Believe me, I was there.
Before I went to Family Church, I tithed, went to church every Sunday, and was even in my Church's choir. Needless to say, I was broke. Had no money. Didn't understand why. The day I started dating someone I knew I shouldn't I had no money to my name. The day I broke up with him, I had a 400 dollar check in the mail with my name on it. It's not always about giving money to recieve money. It states in Malachi 3:11 it also gives us protection and health. Read up on it.
Also, being rich isn't what it's about. It's about knowing that you never have to worry about a single thing in life. God has everything you need and more (He'll open the windows of heaven for you!) The only other time in the Bible the windows of heaven were open was when the earth was flooded. You get a bill in the mail you don't have the money for? And you're honestly and faithfully in a good church, and fellowshipping with others, and have a relationship with God. You can go to Him and say: Here's my bill. Now what are You going to do about it? I'm in a covenant relationship with you and so here's my obsticle. Help me get over it. Now it can't be a one way thing. God needs things from us as well. Thus part of it is tithing, among many many other things.

Cry me an ocean. The Bible was written by Man, God was tought up by Man. And you are foolish nd brainwashed by Man if you believed in such nonsense.

I get bills in the mail all the time. Doesn't mean I got money to pay them. I got two judgments against me and a frozen bank account to show for that. Doesn't mean I am robbing anyone.

"Oh only after I broke up with him did I receive a $400 check". Coincidentally I have heard this story too many times. Incidentally a pastor I knew had an interesting story of miraculously coming up with money to come back here only after his truck broke down in some other state. Why don't I believe this story?

Listen I have tried the whole "faith" thing in religion. I have been to countless services, including that Family church place (to tell the truth the pastor there loves to ramble on and on and on, and when you do go to try to talk to him after services, he claims he's too busy), And you know what? I am no better off than I was beforehand. Don't need to have a faith in a force that doesn't exist. Sure enough I have had my fair share of so called miracles, but I am not going to credit an invisible force I cannot see hear or feel or a force you cannot prove. The Bible is not proof that a superior being exists. Asking that would be asking one to believe that Gulliver exists, or that animals can talk as plain as you and me, like Bambi can.

[Awwww]

GodisanAwesomeGod wrote:

One: Tithing is in the bible. read up before you decide to comment (Malachi 3:10, countless others. Do you really want to rob from God? I hope not). Two: did you not here everytime before the pastor said anything about money "It's not the amount?" I don't give 50 a week for the building fund. And it's not for a building, a church isn't a building. It's to save lives! To give those who haven't heard the Gospel a chance at eternal life!(hello!) And if you feel that God isn't there, maybe it wasn't God directing you to another church. Then again, maybe it was, He has people in certain places for certain reasons.
Also, it's the end times people. I mean come on. Churches in our area allowing lesbians to pastor churches. Why would a Bible teaching church associate with that. DON'T GET ME WRONG! There are Bible teaching churhes, I know plenty of them. But I'm not lowering my standards for someone's doctrines that they believe because it makes them feel better. READ REVELATIONS!!!! I'm just saying. God's at Family Church. Otherwise why on earth would we be growing at our rate?
And the whole snobby thing? Please. I went once with my mom. Said all they do is talk about money. Didn't go for another 4 months. Went one day because God told me to try it again. And they remembered my name still. Snobby? Seriously? A church full of friendly faces and people who invite comeplete strangers for dinners and bbqs in the summer? Half the poulation are teenagers!
I honestly hope you can open your eyes and see the truth some day. If you're not in a Bible teaching church, a true one at that, I earnestly hope that you come and visit.
I haven't responded because I haven't been online in awhile. To anyone who honestly had an issue to that.

Oh please. If all they care about is adding on and bringing more people into their church, they're not a bible teaching church either. How do you know they weren't snobbish when this other person went? The fact is YOU DON'T OBVIOUSLY KNOW. People tend to treat others differently.