do we need to be looking for a church?

LadyAradia · #1 23rd October 2007, 12:42 AM

I left organized religion this YEAR!
have never felt better in my life!
I found that FREEDOM in CHRIST that was talked about and then locked away. hidden...bound
so it brings me back to...
do we need to find a church? or JESUS?

LadyAradia · #2 23rd October 2007, 12:42 AM

Hey i just got bumped up to junior member! i must be doing somethign right! lol

Izdaari · #3 24th October 2007, 08:47 AM

This reminds me of something Will Rogers said: "I don't belong to any organized political party: I'm a Democrat." Like Will Rogers and his party, you can be part of a church without it being "organized religion"... if you can find a church like that.

Given that all us believers are priests, we can certainly have a relationship with God without church, but we need fellowship with other believers, we need their counsel, their encouragement and their prayers. A church that's less "churchy", more about Jesus and less about Churchianity, might be what you need. But without knowing what you believe, it's hard to know what alternatives to suggest. Vineyard maybe?

AllTalkNoAction · #4 24th October 2007, 08:52 AM

Now seek the church he set up (Acts 2), instead of the one(s) men set up.

Albion · #5 24th October 2007, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by LadyAradia

I left organized religion this YEAR!
have never felt better in my life!
I found that FREEDOM in CHRIST that was talked about and then locked away. hidden...bound
so it brings me back to...
do we need to find a church? or JESUS?

I know what you are feeling and have no problem with that at all. The only thing that needs to be remembered and retained is that we are to live Christ-like lives and find some way, if not church attendance, to support and fellowship with other believers. IOW, try not to let the freedom slip into indifference, which others have done. If you don't need a pastor needling you about it from the pulpit every week, fine.

Albion · #6 24th October 2007, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by Izdaari

Given that all us believers are priests, we can certainly have a relationship with God without church, but we need fellowship with other believers,

Agreed.

A church that's less "churchy", more about Jesus and less about Churchianity, might be what you need. But without knowing what you believe, it's hard to know what alternatives to suggest. Vineyard maybe?

But that's back to organized religion again, not what she wants.

Izdaari · #7 24th October 2007, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by Albion

But that's back to organized religion again, not what she wants.

It might be. I don't know how organized is too organized from her PoV. I'm just tossing stuff against the wall to see what'll stick.

Albion · #8 24th October 2007, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by Izdaari

It might be. I don't know how organized is too organized from her PoV. I'm just tossing stuff against the wall to see what'll stick.

Absolutely. And I do that sometimes myself. But from what she posted in the OP, I really think she's passed completely beyond finding a better church, one that's not as rigid as the ones she's known, and is onto the idea of no church affiliation or attendance, even. Doesn't it seem so to you from what she wrote? Anyway, if we take this as a given, we're only being asked if belief in Jesus is sufficient, period? (Always a tough one to answer.)

Izdaari · #9 24th October 2007, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by Albion

Absolutely. And I do that sometimes myself. But from what she posted in the OP, I really think she's passed completely beyond finding a better church, one that's not as rigid as the ones she's known, and is onto the idea of no church affiliation or attendance, even. Doesn't it seem so to you from what she wrote?

Likely so, but I'm still hoping for some elucidation.

Anyway, if we take this as a given, we're only being asked if belief in Jesus is sufficient, period? (Always a tough one to answer.)

Sure, it's sufficient. But it's hard to achieve or maintain full power when you're totally on your own with it. I was unchurched for many years myself... but it didn't really work for me. Of course I'm saved regardless, but I wasn't being effective as a member of God's Kingdom.

JustBoo · #10 26th October 2007, 10:31 AM

We are the church wether we "go to" one or not.

I have found a lot of freedom in leaving the organized " church" as well...