I feel the church service yesterday was... awful =(

Hi chiyosan! I would have felt the same way like you did. As a man of God, priests should not behave like that. I personally think that priests should be more tolerant. Not condoning but tolerant. He may disagree with what other people do but he should not lash at them publicly. I mean, there's a much nicer way to express your disagreement, especially if you're a priest. I have never encountered a priest like that. Most of the priests I have encountered either were always calm in explaining their views or they turn into jokes their disagreement over a political figure. They do it in a much wholesome way so people will not feel so weirded out when coming out of the church. Maybe you should really find another church with a much nicer priest.

Hi Chiyosan, I certainly understand your dilemma. Many of the churches here in the US are now playing what I call almost rock and roll music, while I was raised on the traditional hymns which I dearly love. I have had a hard time finding a church where I can feel blessed with the feeling of praise through music. Recently, I found a church that in fact does hold the traditional services and I was elated, feeling that I had finally found my Christian home. I filled out the information card during the service and gave it to the usher. Several days later three people from the church showed up on my doorstep after dark at night (I live way out in the country and am a single female). I was dressed for bed and not expecting to receive guests and found it necessary to turn them away, inviting them to call me to arrange a convenient meeting. Within days, one of the three called me, her name is Charm, and we scheduled to have lunch together. I was to drive into town to have lunch with her. About 20 minutes prior to our lunch date, she called me to cancel the date due to issues with child care. I offered understanding and we rescheduled the lunch. The second time around, again, the 20 minute prior call to cancel stating she had transportation problems. I was again gracious in accepting the cancellation. Now, to this day, I have not heard from her or any of the parishioners since. Puzzling. Further, I happened to be talking with a teenaged girl who I am closely acquainted with, and she happened to tell me that she had tried that church one time, and that one of the people in the congregation had come up to her and stated that she did not belong in that church and asked her to leave. The reason was that she had orange hair! My goodness! I discussed this with my Mother and my mom gave me some good advice. She told me, "If you felt the presence of God in that church, please don't let the people deter you. They are just two or three people in the church. Continue there as long as you feel the reverence you are looking for." Now, after that LONG story, in your case... and this is the flip side - the story you tell tells me that you did not feel the presence of God in the church you attended, and that the pastor - who is the leader of that church - has the practice of judging politicians in the Philippines. I remember that Jesus once said, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." I feel like the pastor either missed that story or is ignoring it. My suggestion is for you to find a church service that gives you a feeling of the reverence of the Lord. Once you find that reverence and the presence of God, then do not let the doings of the humans in the church dissuade you and your relationship with God. You will know in your heart when you have found your home. Keep us posted!

I can totally relate to you because I used to have a priest that would yell and scream during his sermon and he talked about his political beliefs all of the time and at the end of the service I would feel such anger towards him because I feel he used the congregation for a political platform!

You have a right to choose a church. A church where you feel solemnity every time you attend worship services and feel the comfort and care of God. You've home terrific and full of blessings, have peaceful mind, God's guidance that lead you to spend the days of your life wonderful.

Three and a half HOURS?? Yikes tht is a really long service. Is that customary? I don't think I have ever been in a regular service that long. I also agree with those who said change churches. Even if another one is further away, you want to be comfortable and inspired fron a service, not disappointed ...especially if you spend over 3 hours there.

Hi there. I'd like to say something on this. This is actually rampant nowadays. Pastors are more concerned about what's happening in the society. That's good but on the other hand, it's not. It's okay to have some views and opinion but bringing this up to the pulpit is just not right. The pulpit is not the place for it. He can do outside the church. Join organizations to where he could exchange his ideas. I know a lot of pastors like this because I studied in a seminary before and somehow the seminary was a factor of producing activitists out of pastors. I'm sad about this fact but I'm praying that there are still a lot out there who care more about winning souls to Christ than feeding anger and doubts to their flocks. If you are thinking of finding a church where you'll feel blessed and feel the presence of God, then do so. Jesus is present anywhere and He will make His way for you to feel his blessings. God bless you!

Hey leave it.You can just change the church or do it in home.Thats the best.