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| Saran_wrap (guest) |
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Posted:09/14/2006 11:42 AM |
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I guess I am looking for some reassurance that BRCC is NOT for me.
I grew up Church of Christ but fell out of going when I went to college. Now that I am a mother and wife I want to find myself back in the church. I tried a few churches and they seem alittle to out there for me. I didn't go back to Church of Christ because I grew up in a judgemental church branch and I didn't agree with all of their beliefs.
So, I decided to try BRCC because it is close to where I live and I looked at this website and thought that I should give it a try.
I have been going now for 3 months and I really haven't found a home there. Sometimes I even walk out thinking that I did not gain anything from the teaching. I also feel that sometimes the church tries to make "cool" points by having certain songs played or topics discussed.
For instance, last week with the guy getting a tattoo on stage. I felt it was way over the top and wasn't really relevant. And the rest of the "sermon" was about a personal story. To me I don't need all that.
So, before I leave the church and start searching again I would like to get feedback from others on how they KNEW in their heart that BRCC was right for them.
Thanks!!
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ruizant
Posts:4
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Posted:09/14/2006 12:54 PM |
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I don’t believe that BRCC is trying to acquire “cool” points; I just believe they are trying to relay the message to a diverse audience. I myself love that they change up the stage, play pop songs with a Christian twist and that the Pastors are not afraid to share stories of growing times in their life to relay an important message. I feel lucky that we have a group of Pastors and Church leaders that are Honest and sincere, and whom also care about our relationship with our Father. I feel so blessed to have found BRCC. Having said that, I feel God knows what is best for us. Have you prayed for God to show you what Church he wants you to be a part of? Have you explored other Church’s? I will definitely keep you in my prayers and pray that God lead you to the right place and that you receive what he shows you.
Peace and God Bless!
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sweetlybroken
Posts:10
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Posted:09/15/2006 6:43 AM |
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Hi,
How I know in my heart that BRCC is the church for me has a lot to do with my husband. I was raised Catholic (although we didn't attend church regularly) and as an adult I have searched different churches also. I had a good feeling when I attended most but never felt like "this is it"! I was really wanting my husband and I to go to church together. He was not a "church goer" and didn't even really believe in God until about 10 years ago. One day he came home and said "ok, we'll go to church but I want to go to this one I heard about on the radio". He listens to a heavy metal station that said BRCC is the church that rocks. We went. I never dreamed that my husband would ever suggest a church. I knew it was God working. Another way I know in my heart that BRCC is right for me is that we always feel better when we walk out the door than when we walked in. I always get something out of the message and usually feel like it was written for us. The music attracted us and everything else has kept us going. I love BRCC and my husband enjoys it and learns from the messages too. Last Sunday we couldn't attend because we didn't have enough gas money. I wish we lived closer to BRCC but we drive about 60 miles round trip to go there. The more I hear about the tattoo service the more I really wish we could have gone. It sounds interesting. My husband has tattoos and sometimes he wishes he didn't. I have one and have no regrets. Who knows... someday they may be an opportunity to witness to someone. I also want to add that there is a church that meets across the highway from our home. They meet in a tent right now and are building a new church. I don't "feel" any nudging in my heart to go there although it would definitely save on gas lol. Follow your heart...it's probably God tugging on it. As far as the ways that BRCC minister through the music, etc. The "why we exist" for BRCC says...Helping people who are far from God become devoted followers of Christ. That was us. I can't speak for anyone else but my husband and I and I just say that we feel welcome at BRCC with our long hair (his is longer than mine), tattoos and pasts that are far from perfect. We don't feel uncomfortable and that allows us to receive the messages that are being delivered. The way the messages are delivered are in a form that we can relate to and it just seems right for us. Hope this helps and that you find your "home" whether it be BRCC or a different church.
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| jdrag21 (guest) |
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Posted:09/15/2006 3:16 PM |
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Hi all, as a VERY new member of BRCC, I knew immediately that I was in the right place. I have not been to church in probably over 15 years and when we did go it was very sporadic. My husband does not believe that church is right for everyone, including himself, so everytime I brought up the thought of going that thought was trumped right away. Fortunately, a couple of months ago God brought a new friend into my life and he introduced me to BRCC. I remember being so nervous because I did not know much about God or the Bible and didn't know what to expect..... Once the music started I felt so at ease and an overwhelming sense of happiness that I decided to go. But, what really hooked me was Pastor Dave's ability to relate the teachings in the Bible to our everday lives. It is conveyed in a message that even a new or growing believer can understand. I think it's amazing that the Pastor's are willing to share their stories with the rest of us. In Matthew 13:34 it says " Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds." I knew after I left that first service that I had to come back and I had to bring my children, eventhough we live in Converse, which is quite a drive. Now I attend several of the services each week and my children participate as well. I was so afraid that my children would not be open to going to church because it was something new to them, but everytime I pick them up from their respective classes, it's as if they are different children than I dropped off. I have never seen them so happy and excited. My daughter even joined the children's choir and my son is constantly asking when I am going to take him to FUEL. I could not imagine a year ago or even six months ago that church would be such a big part of my life. God is definately at work in our lives and I am so blessed to have been introduced to BRCC. That being said, I believe if you pray God will show you where you should be, whether it's BRCC or another church.
God Bless..
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kzabel
Posts:8
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Posted:09/16/2006 11:08 PM |
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Unlike some of the others, I didn't know immediately this church was the right church. I remember my first time and to tell ya the truth it scared me tremendously. I was raised Catholic and then Lutheran...I was used to a liturgical church. It was so loose in format and to have drama and feature songs and rocking music was a little overwhelming for me. I even remember having thoughts of cults and the like running through my head. But it was the conflict in my heart at the messages delivered by Pastor Dave that got me. I can't say I love his messages because normally they told me something that I needed to examine and confront about my life. That's NOT fun. However, deep down I knew there was truth in the message. My family continued to go, we were inquisitive, and in a way, I couldn't NOT go. Thinking back on it, I know that God was working a mighty transformation on my soul and on the strongholds Satan had on me about how church "was supposed to be". Once I released that stronghold, I can only tell you how powerful the church has been in creating a place where I have been able to connect with and experience God and develop a deep relationship with Him. My entire family has been transformed. There are times when I too walk out of church going, "What was that about? Obviously not for me." But, I had to realize 2 things--first, I'd always hear others talk about how awesome it was, even though it didn't hit me as awesome, I realized...it wasn't ALL about me. Second, it's amazing how I've relayed messages from sermons that I thought "weren't for me" to others or applied later to situations, or had a friend remind me of that sermon or series later and see the application. Is BRCC for you?--personally, I don't think anyone on this board can tell you. God will, when you seek His voice and guidance of the Holy Spirit. For me and my family, yes. I pray that you will seek God's counsel and that He will answer you loudly and that you will hear Him. I pray that God will bless you as you continue to seek relationship with Him in His house with His children and servants. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to remind myself how BRCC became my home.
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| Margo Barstow (guest) |
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Posted:09/19/2006 9:40 AM |
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You may want to consider this. You may be under attack from Satan and he does not want you to make BRCC your church of choice. Please pray this out loud, In the name of Jesus I command you satan to leave me alone. Your father has given you the authority to do this. You may need to do it more than once. If you would like prayer please come forward after the services. I will pray for you.
Blessings,
Margo
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| kudabear (guest) |
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Posted:09/20/2006 9:05 PM |
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My husband and I had been to a couple of other churches in San Antonio. Every time I walked out of one of these churches, I was in tears. I had done something that I just knew God would never forgive me for. I was a sinner, I didn't deserve to have God's love and I felt like I was the most horrible person on Earth. Then a friend told me about this really neat church called BRCC. I thought I'd give it a try. I liked the music, the theatrical performances and the sermons were pretty good. But I was completely shocked and amazed when Pastor Dave did a sermon one Sunday and told a story about his wife that she had committed the same sin. A pastor's wife!!! I was speechless. If she wasn't scum of the earth, then maybe I wasn't either. It took me a few months and then I realized that I was walking out of church with my head held high, knowing that God loves me no matter what. I was walking out with a smile on my face and a prayer in my heart. We left San Antonio in June of 2004 and returned in April of 2005. I missed BRCC while we were gone. We have since returned to the church and I have become involved with the children's ministry. That sermon and being able to walk out of church knowing God loves me and forgives me is what told me BRCC was the right place for me. God led me to BRCC and to Pastor Dave's sermon. I think you have to listen to your heart and what God is telling you. He will tell you if it's the right place for you. It may help for you to try getting involved in one of the ministries and meeting people. This made me feel more at "home" at BRCC. Hope this helps. 
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| brooks_m_r (guest) |
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Posted:09/26/2006 12:20 PM |
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I didn't know for a very long time. I came here six months but I just felt no connection. At the very last service I planned to attend, miraculously, 3 people came up and introduced themselves, and I joined the small group of one of those people. Through them, and through subsequent small groups, I found family here. I kinda wish I had made a first move earlier rather than waiting for others to approach me, but...it all worked out. Their love has kept me here.
But you know when BRCC became my home? When I started giving back. (September 2002, to be exact.) I could not be content sitting in my seat, absorbing, and then leaving. FINALLY, after a long time observing what I could do, some people latched onto my artistic skills and put me to work. I was never so happy in all my life, and I continue to be so.
Being a part of the church - DOING something for Christ - restored my life to my soul. Before, I had given up. I believed I was worthless, hopeless, utterly unlovable. Over a l-o-n-g period of time, God used many BRCC'ers (including pastors, elders, and staff) spiritually fighting FOR me and WITH me, lavishing me with their unrelenting, committed love & persistence. Eventually, by seeking God's face, freedom won out and I discovered who I really am. There WAS a plan for my life after all! I discovered that God loved me and wanted me whether I was working in his ministry or not. He has revealed who I am in His eyes. He continues to draw closer and closer to me than I could ever have imagined. He is as real to me as any friend, any love, any family member could be. He has blessed me with His presence, with family in my fellow church friends, with freedom. When I sat back waiting to be served, I was discontent and drowning in "self." When I jumped in to serve in the ways God designed me, it was life-altering. God showed up.
Sometimes BRCC is a little...umm...different!! I grew up a very conservative Baptist, so this is drastically different. (My family practically faints when they hear about "guitars and drums"!) But, I love and appreciate what BRCC's mission is: to create a place for those who are far from God to become fully devoted followers of Christ. If it wasn't for churches like this, I would have given up on God. Instead, my life has been changed by going to a nontraditional church willing to try new things to reach the nonconventional Christ-seeker. I believe I know the hearts of our pastors, elders, staff, and many volunteers. There is sincere love for God and a true desire to bring others to a love of Christ. I know oh-too-well what it is to be imperfect and hurting. BRCC is a group of admittedly imperfect people on an often tough - but always sincere - journey to become more like the only Perfect Person ever. And now that God has rescued me from myself & my hurts, I am compelled to help others going through similar things, and BRCC is the perfect setting for that.
I pray that if you decide to leave, you will leave for reasons God alone tells you. Move only if He tells you to move. There are many good churches here in town that I would be proud for any friend or family member to attend. But know that at the heart of BRCC, people like me and many others want you to feel at home, wanted and loved. Whether you go or stay, I only pray that God will lead you to a place where you can be embraced by the love & truth of Christ and find your place in God's kingdom.
- Michele Brooks
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| Fudgeboy (guest) |
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Posted:10/03/2006 3:21 PM |
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Well, Saran, what have you decided? Is BRCC too weird or do you see the innovation? You read the testimonies of how lives were changed at BRCC. Do you think you can embrace the work God is doing here? It is undeniable that God is working through BRCC. Why not hang around and give yourself to God's service and see what happens. If you have not felt connected then all you have to do is say "how can I help?" That's the best way to connect. I doubt there are any ministry opportunities at BRCC where you would not be part of a team. You need to make a choice, or like Pastor Dave said, "don't let the door hit you in the backside on your way out."
Fudgeboy
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