Switching Church

 My husband and I recently decided to switch church after a careful and long thoughts and considerations. We switched from GCC to CCC. 

Truthfully, it was me who initiated the idea to try to go to another church. Why? What was the problem? Is it the people? Certainly not. 

I love the people at GCC. They were actually one of  the main reasons I stayed there for more than four years. I also love the traditional hymns they use that I think is more pleasing to my ears and heart more than the modern christian songs. I love the architecture in GCC. It has six beautiful chandeliers hanging in the middle of the sanctuary. The big windows around the church that allow us to see the outside. The design of the gigantic cross behind the pulpit is quite simple yet magnificent. It is one of the most beautiful church I ever visited with its modern and simple architecture design. And not to mention the huge parking lot the church provides that allow more than fifty cars to park. When I first saw this church, I immediately think they got so much potential to offer. 

Then I found out the church was in deficit at the beginning of 2025. And I was stunt with disbelief by the pastor's thought for their plan to solve the deficiency. They would do what is necessary even if they have to sell the church and move to smaller building. But there is no action taken by the church to solve this issue afterwards, not even to evangelize or try to bring some additional income to the church. Yet, God is indeed merciful and gracious. About a month later three big families came to join GCC from an OPC church which I used to go, followed by another two families. I am very thrilled by them joining GCC. Indeed I think GCC has better teachings compared to the OPC church. Yet, GCC doesn't do much for their community. Their way of evangelizing is by supporting missionaries either in other countries or states. They don't do evanglism themselves. Only one member who earnestly tries to initiate evangelism for church by opening a table in a mall for people who need prayers. Yet, not a dime was given by GCC to support her effort. Bottomline, there is nothing is done by the church except what the pastor always emphasizes, to only preach the Word. But the bible says that faith without work is dead!

My husband and I thought deeply how we could help GCC. I observed that many of people go to GCC don't really connect much with each other. It looks like they come to church just to fulfill their checklist. I see that they lack of fellowship in GCC. There is no care for others, though God said in Hebrew 3:13 "Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first." So, I started to offer some refreshment after service every Sunday to make people stay a little while to get to know each other. 

However, spiritual food is much more important than feeding the flesh. From the beginning when I joined GCC, I got bothered by the Pastor's prayer, when he said "Lord, come quickly." every time after  communion. I thought it was only his way of expressing his distress for the corrupted world. However, the more I learned his teachings and the more I listen to his prayers, it sounds to me he wants to escape from his duties in this fallen world. As a Christian, I believe God created each of us and every creatures according to His divine purpose. And as a human, God's highest level of creation, we have a task to cultivate this world with the talents and abilities He gives us, to give God the glory when He returns in HIS time! Who are we to ask God to do what we want? Did we already align our wills to His will  when we pray? When someone prays "Lord, come quickly!", it seems like he wants to escape the cross that he has to bear in this world. Did Peter, Paul or other apostles and prophets who gave their lives to God ever pray "Lord, come quickly."? Besides the apostle John, of course, who said it at the very last chapter of Revelation.

Furthermore, it is not only a prayer of escapism, but it shows so much of their self-righteousness in asking God to come quickly. As most of our wills are not His will. And it is in God's time, not ours. This particular prayer influences the pastor's teachings and theology. 

After four and a half years of attending GCC and learning from his sermons and bible studies, I came to realize that many times in his teachings, he injects self-righteousness belief to the congregation. It is so poisonous, yet many don't realize it. As God sent the prophets not to tell the people how terrible people are out there, and we already got it together and saved. But the prophets were sent to show people how sinful we are, and how as Christians, we must take up the cross to follow Christ, to be like Him. GCC is very short in teaching people how to bear the cross.

All in all, I want to get out of the self righteousness teachings of GCC. And I pray that they will be able to cover their shortages to pay their mortgage without having to sell the building that God has graciously gifted them.

"Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,  and all these things will be added unto you." (Mathew 6:33)