PastorJohn@BFFM
Pastor/Minister/Group Leader
Contact Pastor
I LOVE life, and it's no wonder why -because Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life."
Posts: 67 
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Post by PastorJohn@BFFM on Nov 13, 2013 15:19:09 GMT -5
Tell us about your church:
Discuss why you attend (or why you don't). Where do you go, are you a member, what is the best thing about your church, is your church growing, etc.
If I was looking for a home church, why would I choose your church?
Thanks for all the input you can give!!
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amym
Guppy
Posts: 19 
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Post by amym on Nov 13, 2013 15:30:45 GMT -5
My family attends a very small church in Jacksonville. When we first moved to Jville, I was searching for weeks for a swing set on lejeuneyardsale.com. I finally found a beautiful set for a really great deal. Little did I know, I was going to get so much more!! The seller of the swing set and I started talking away and before I knew it, she had invited me to her church. The first Sunday we attended, I rededicated my life to the Lord!!! Being a small church, they were all very welcoming and made us feel just like a part of their little family. Our kids were able to get plugged into some great classes and have learned so much more than I could have imagined teaching them myself. If we miss church for any reason, I usually get phone calls, text messages or facebook messages asking about us and telling us they missed us. That alone has definitely held us accountable on the days we have a hard time getting out the door to make it to service. I love and appreciate my church family so much but I do not feel like the church is growing. As I said, they are a small, tight knit group. Most of them are actually related. It seem like there isn't a lot of opportunity for the church to grow because there isn't much outreach  I have even started a couple of outreach ministries with little to no support from the church. I'm not sure why this is other than it can be a very difficult thing to break outside of our comort bubbles. |
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Post by Shelly@BFFM on Nov 13, 2013 17:06:50 GMT -5
You are welcome to post the name of the church here amym and any events they have going on here. There may be someone out there that is looking for a church just like yours right now. I know I had a very hard time finding a church that fit my family when we moved here. Start a new thread saying the name of your church and why you love it :-).
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amym
Guppy
Posts: 19
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Post by amym on Nov 14, 2013 12:38:41 GMT -5
Emmanuel Free Will Baptist on Piney Green in Jacksonville is my home church. What I love most about my church is that it is small, yet there are many different children programs. There is a Sunday School class for all ages, from infant to elder. There is also a children's church program which allows the kids to go to an age appropriate children's service. On Wednesday evenings, there is also The Patch the Pirate program which challenges kids to a daily devotion which they discuss their week's studies in class. They also sing and perform for the church. The church has a large fellowship hall which we are able to hold gospel concerts and other large fellowship events. A brand new youth center has just been opened, which is beautifully equipped with a projection screen for movies and video games, fusball, pool table and tons of big comfy couches for youth studies and fellowship. Emmanuel is a small church, which means people will know you by name and bring you right on in as if you are one of their own family members, after all we are all one family in Christ. Service times are Sunday school at 9:45. Worship services at 11am and 6pm. Wednesdays at 7pm.
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Post by Kinzie@BFFM on Nov 18, 2013 15:34:10 GMT -5
There really isn't a choice in the poll that fits my situation. I was going to church and after about a year, I felt that church really wasn't for me. The church had really good people with amazing hearts and the best of intentions, but when it came down to it was kinda of like "collecting" people. They wanted to be able to say they had so many people coming (which is awesome), or they wanted to say they had so many people baptized (which is also a great thing)...But it wasn't about bringing people in and nurturing them in their walk. I feel that Church should be a place where you can go and say this is me, and this is where I am with my walk and be accepted exactly as you are! I don't think there should be any judgement...or bad feelings...or feelings that you should have to hide yourself and put on a fake face about your life.
To me a church is a group of people who are excepting of you just the way you are... Who pray for you and with you (with no judgement or ill thoughts)...Who love you during your ups (with no jealousy or ill thoughts)...And most importantly..... Who LOVE you during you DOWNS!!!!
I believe this is what Jesus intended for us when he spoke of church. A group of people who love unconditional, and don't judge each other for their mistakes!!!! It is my hope that we will all have this special place.
And believe it or not.... This place is for me here at work. I love sharing my funny stories, sharing the good things that are happening in my life as well as the bad... I really feel like we have a family here. Shelly is the Mom that sometimes wonders if I am not really mentally insane, but is always there to offer advice and encouragement...John is that Dad that is always there to say the things we need to hear and share in the victories of our accomplishments....Johntee.... He is the little brother that reminds you to be patient and kind, even when you don't think you can be. Just like God brings you to a church for a reason, I believe he has brought us all to Bigfish for a reason... Even if it is different reasons!!!
I love you all!!! And thank you for all that you do for me... everyday....
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I have even started a couple of outreach ministries with little to no support from the church. I'm not sure why this is other than it can be a very difficult thing to break outside of our comort bubbles. 
