I certainly don't attend church nearly as often as I should, but I DO believe in the power of prayer! I've seen it work SO MANY times!
That pastor was an idiot! I hear so many stories like the ones here. Sad.
It is sad, but it encourages me to read threads like this and find individual believers who are strong in their faith, beliefs, and practice, in spite of the abysmal condition of some of their churches.