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Post by Get off of TMB on Apr 28, 2020 8:38:26 GMT -5
Some workers would shrug it off when it was discussed...Yeah, God's Way isn't popular in the world today. Or maybe only a chosen few are willing for sacrifice and self denial. It isn't about how many..Or the world is interested in large crowds but the Servants are interested in individuals. One has to be willing to take a personal stand and not let the crowds of this world sway you.
Yet they can't deny that there is a slow shrinking of the fellowship in that region. You could attend a Saturday night meeting at Yellow Springs, McCordsville, Newry, Salvisa, Knoxville, Demorest, Fosters Brownstown etc.. and few if any stand to their feet.
The workers bury more than they convert in most eastern US states. An older person who grew up in the fellowship might want to profess before he or she passes away. But the numbers are slowly shrinking. And the younger ones are less serious about professing....some attend meeting now and then. Few couples under 40 are interested in having a meeting in the home or having an open home. Chilren in professing homes are now into sports, band, and other worldly activites as some would call them. A large state like Florida has one convention. A large state like New York has 2 conventions and that includes the small populated states in the metro. Michigan now has 2 conventions as Vanderbilt has been canceled.
The Midwest region including Minnesota and Wisconsin is in much better shape. Larger families and some older "settled families" have produced a large number of workers. If you live in the eastern half of the US and want to find a professing mate, Wisconsin is the place to go.
Gradually the older ones are passing away and the group is declining and evolving. And the beat goes on...
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Post by iam on Apr 28, 2020 9:42:02 GMT -5
It seems to me wherever we go in BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan there are large numbers of friends and young people. Many young people that have meetings. It’s the ones that have left that I love and miss yet I understand why!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2020 12:09:00 GMT -5
Some workers would shrug it off when it was discussed...Yeah, God's Way isn't popular in the world today. Or maybe only a chosen few are willing for sacrifice and self denial. It isn't about how many..Or the world is interested in large crowds but the Servants are interested in individuals. One has to be willing to take a personal stand and not let the crowds of this world sway you. Yet they can't deny that there is a slow shrinking of the fellowship in that region. You could attend a Saturday night meeting at Yellow Springs, McCordsville, Newry, Salvisa, Knoxville, Demorest, Fosters Brownstown etc.. and few if any stand to their feet. The workers bury more than they convert in most eastern US states. An older person who grew up in the fellowship might want to profess before he or she passes away. But the numbers are slowly shrinking. And the younger ones are less serious about professing....some attend meeting now and then. Few couples under 40 are interested in having a meeting in the home or having an open home. Chilren in professing homes are now into sports, band, and other worldly activites as some would call them. A large state like Florida has one convention. A large state like New York has 2 conventions and that includes the small populated states in the metro. Michigan now has 2 conventions as Vanderbilt has been canceled. The Midwest region including Minnesota and Wisconsin is in much better shape. Larger families and some older "settled families" have produced a large number of workers. If you live in the eastern half of the US and want to find a professing mate, Wisconsin is the place to go. Gradually the older ones are passing away and the group is declining and evolving. And the beat goes on... are you surprised that there is a falling away going on? it just ain't the truth thats experiencing it...
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Post by Get off of TMB on Apr 28, 2020 14:06:02 GMT -5
The so called worldly churches here have full parking lots. They involve their youth. Cookouts, hikes, sport teams etc.. They make church fun. Some areas have get togethers for the friends. In other areas, meetings are full of 70, 80 and 90 somethings.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2020 14:38:54 GMT -5
Church should be a fun thing, enjoyable, not dull and boring. It should also give good scriptural teaching and not be reason to flog the brand. And you can't make people comply with threats of doom and gloom.
And take away the stupid clarifications that were put on normal living activities. There was no good reason for it, everybody should be free to live their lives the way they choose, not ruled by other humans wanting power and control.
Be truthful make sure the message that is preached is truthful, and shows love and compassion toward all people. Be proud of the Church history, don't try to falsify it.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2020 15:33:49 GMT -5
The so called worldly churches here have full parking lots. They involve their youth. Cookouts, hikes, sport teams etc.. They make church fun. Some areas have get togethers for the friends. In other areas, meetings are full of 70, 80 and 90 somethings. fun is nowhere to be found in the bible in regards to spiritual matters....
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Post by obieone on Apr 28, 2020 16:10:44 GMT -5
Belief in God is declining throughout all of western civilization therefore doesn’t seem strange that the eastern US is experiencing losses. I’ll bet that the western US is not growing like it is professed to be. There is a lot more younger people where there is a lot large families. The decline of Faith is perhaps worldwide. Just my humble opinions.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2020 16:21:27 GMT -5
Psalm 100 A psalm. For giving grateful praise.
1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Ecclesiastes 2:24 – “There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil.
Sounds like a fun thing to me, no need to be glib and morbid. No need for "Fun Police"
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Post by ForeverFree on Apr 28, 2020 16:59:48 GMT -5
The so called worldly churches here have full parking lots. They involve their youth. Cookouts, hikes, sport teams etc.. They make church fun. Some areas have get togethers for the friends. In other areas, meetings are full of 70, 80 and 90 somethings. fun is nowhere to be found in the bible in regards to spiritual matters.... Well.... it's not recorded. Doesn't mean nothing was said or done.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2020 17:06:00 GMT -5
We need a "Make Professing Great Again" hat.
Probably not red though. Provocative color. Maybe off-gray or light blue?
With a hole in the top, for buns.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2020 17:19:59 GMT -5
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Post by curlywurlysammagee on Apr 28, 2020 17:23:40 GMT -5
Faith based superstitions are no match for an educated people.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2020 17:25:36 GMT -5
Have you a spare hat for John Long too?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2020 18:18:56 GMT -5
The World has moved on as it always does. It is called civilisation, you can't stop that. 2x2's had 120 years before their story fell apart. Not a bad run, and they may get another 10 or 20. Then I think it will be all over red rover.
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Post by Get off of TMB on Apr 28, 2020 19:18:06 GMT -5
Some are going to leave when their parents pass away.
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Post by ForeverFree on Apr 28, 2020 19:29:36 GMT -5
Some are going to leave when their parents pass away. It's sad that people have to live their lives as a lie, contrary to who they are and what they believe, to put on a front for good face in other people's image. It shows how much control is held over their heads.
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Post by xna on Apr 28, 2020 20:15:12 GMT -5
2x2 would say: it’s suppose to be “a few”. It’s a sign.
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Post by Annan on Apr 29, 2020 6:50:49 GMT -5
www.openbible.info/topics/make_a_joyful_noiseA pastor friend of mine tried to start a youth praise and worship group at her church. The mostly elderly congregation poo poo'd the idea. I understand having reverence, but what about the joy?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2020 7:49:06 GMT -5
Have you a spare hat for John Long too? i can't find a picture of John Long 🤔, and Long John gets me either a pirate or long underpants...
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2020 7:52:02 GMT -5
2x2 would say: it’s suppose to be “a few”. It’s a sign.
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Post by xna on Apr 29, 2020 7:55:43 GMT -5
2x2 would say: it’s suppose to be “a few”. It’s a sign. Great, thanks for the sign! But I'm still looking for the "wonders"
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2020 7:59:29 GMT -5
What I see in the 2x2 youth of today is one big clique. If you are not part of it you tend to leave the 2x2. There are so many loose rules today. Why not stay if you are part of the clique. You can do and act however you want if you have the right last name and the right connections.
Live and let live is the attitude among most workers and friends today.
It is all about the natural life not about the spiritual life. It is not about doing the right thing in all situations no matter what it cost you.
You can condemn the generations of the past but they had one thing that is missing from this generation. They cared deeply for one another and were there for one another. Not for show but because they had a love for God and a love for one another. Did they make mistakes of course. Do you make mistakes? I will take past generations of 2x2 anyday.
I would not be the person I am today if it wasn't for the kindness of many 2x2 who have left this world. They showed kindness to me and my family in ways no one ever knew about and for that I will always be grateful.
My own generation will not be known for going out of their way to help others unless it is for a big show and for the popular friends.
I was condemned while I went to meeting for caring about and helping those viewed as less important by workers and friends. Big part of why I am an ex 2x2.
I grew up in the eastern USA.
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Post by ForeverFree on Apr 29, 2020 11:42:18 GMT -5
What I see in the 2x2 youth of today is one big clique. If you are not part of it you tend to leave the 2x2. There are so many loose rules today. Why not stay if you are part of the clique. You can do and act however you want if you have the right last name and the right connections. When a youth, I moved from a small centre into a larger city with a higher number of young friends. I never felt accepted or welcomed because of the clique. Even though I did get invited to gatherings, mostly because I lived with a prominent elder and his wife, I felt it was out of expectation, not genuinely wanting ME there. This was made clear after I left the 2x2s. A few months in, I did attend a local gospel meeting, as it seemed that's what ex's did, and I could count on one hand the number of young people that spoke to me. The rest stood in clusters and watched me with mockery in their eyes. This was the "hope of the kingdom". I swore I would never go back to a meeting with these people, and have kept that vow longer than the one I gave that Saturday night at convention.
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Post by snow on Apr 29, 2020 18:45:33 GMT -5
The so called worldly churches here have full parking lots. They involve their youth. Cookouts, hikes, sport teams etc.. They make church fun. Some areas have get togethers for the friends. In other areas, meetings are full of 70, 80 and 90 somethings. fun is nowhere to be found in the bible in regards to spiritual matters.... Maybe it was one of those things nobody thought you had to actually state! Like it's a given. After all isn't the definition of the gospel 'good news'? Wouldn't signify joy all by itself? If religion and spiritual matters aren't supposed to be fun/joyful then I'm not surprised why so many don't want to be involved with it anymore.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2020 22:50:58 GMT -5
fun is nowhere to be found in the bible in regards to spiritual matters.... Maybe it was one of those things nobody thought you had to actually state! Like it's a given. After all isn't the definition of the gospel 'good news'? Wouldn't signify joy all by itself? If religion and spiritual matters aren't supposed to be fun/joyful then I'm not surprised why so many don't want to be involved with it anymore. A joyful noise....but no smiling! Be a miserable wretch, unlovable and full of sin, yet feel ever so special that God loves you so much! Take no thought for the morrow, but be sober minded and be like the ants, who work to store food for the future. Ah yes... the delightful trudge through the field of "mysterious ways".
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2020 23:13:27 GMT -5
Some are going to leave when their parents pass away. what matters is the ones that stay the truth is gonna be with us until the end whether we like it or not...
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2020 23:16:41 GMT -5
Some are going to leave when their parents pass away. what matters is the ones that stay the truth is gonna be with us until the end whether we like it or not... Sort of like the herpes viruses then?
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Post by curlywurlysammagee on Apr 29, 2020 23:31:04 GMT -5
Some are going to leave when their parents pass away. what matters is the ones that stay the truth is gonna be with us until the end whether we like it or not... Humans and probably all other life will be gone from this earth millions, maybe billions of years before this earth is destroyed. Humans and other animals have no say in this, nor does any of the constructs of their imagination.
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