Absolutely beautiful cemetery and historic site. The pastor was nice also but I understand is no longer there from my understanding. I can see why because the congregation controlled the poor guy. I give Zion Methodist Church a 1 star rating because of the congregation...
Read More
Absolutely beautiful cemetery and historic site. The pastor was nice also but I understand is no longer there from my understanding. I can see why because the congregation controlled the poor guy. I give Zion Methodist Church a 1 star rating because of the congregation and no other reason. The people are who make up a large portion of a church, the body of Christ. The summer I went to Zion I was down the shore for 3 months from Philly and a relative invited me so I went. I found the service to be usual or traditional and if one likes that this is the place for you. I personally get bored quickly of the repeation. But again, that is not why I left the lowest possible rating. I did so due to the very cliquish ways about the females in the congregation and a few men included who gossip regularly. On several occasions I could hear them during the church hall luncheon and other events, talking badly about other people in their same church family. It broke my heart on one occasion to hear as they were trash talking and judging another female members grandson who fell upon hard times and became addicted to drugs. Then during service they offered to pray for the ladys family. I tell you I wouldn't want folks like that praying for me if they talk badly of me behind my back. These people had 2 faces and God warns us of that. I felt strongly the quote when Ghandi says, "I like your Christ but not your Christians." I could resonate with that here with what seemed to be fake Christian people. The prior Pastor and myself were standing together during a luncheon and we both couldn't help but hear the same group of women and a few men all at one table carrying on with their usual gossip and judgements as if they were better than the rest. Ugh! I looked at him thinking "Aren't you going to correct them? These are your flock. It's unacceptable for them to be gossiping and pointing the finger of judgement so thoughtlessly." He stood quietly observing and seemed to be conflicted about what to do. And when I think about if I were pastor I most likely would be too because these out loud gossipers pay his bills and we have families to feed and take care of. It felt like a "Do I please the church or please the Lord" type of situation from my perspective. Perhaps one of the reasons why he left Zion? I do not know why nor do I like to presume anything, but when you know sonething, you know because the holy spirit convicts you. Plus it took no genius to understand what was taking place here. I get we are all human and fall short, but every sunday like clockwork the same people would pick up where they left off as if this was all a soap opera to them. It made my skin crawl and after 3 long months I had to tell my relatives I would not be returning the following summer to Zion. When they asked me why, I told them and their reply to me was that gossip goes on at every church. Oh my! That reply was a very far cry from showing any interest or desire to want to change bad habits that are ungodly and it was a very poor excuse for unchristian behavior. So for these unpleasant reasons I give the 1 star rating because it's a serious offense to God and others to gossip and judge. If I had came in on my own and was not invited by my syblings who are members of Zion, I would have never went back. It left a real bad taste and a complete utter turn off for a church that is suppose to represent the compassionate Nazareen Lord Jesus Christ. God bless and please look within. These people know who they are. I pray they get help. Y'all take care now.