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Does going to an institutionalized chirch actually hinder our relationship with Christ?

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1watchman

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So, that is all why one might see a Bible-only fellowship rather than various named sects, will bless seekers after conformity to what God is telling us ---rather than preachers. Noting 1 Peter 2:5 & 9 is helpful to see our calling together for study and sharing of what God is telling us, as shown in the several Holy Bible Epistles. Many Bible scholars share in a non-denom. gathering. I can speak privately to all of this understanding of the Church universal, rather than possibly offend one here. Write me personally if one would like to chat further.
 
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Sunshinee777

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ByTheSpirit said:
What I mean is, we go to this gathering that is Pastor-centric and run completely on the dictations of a Pastor (who may or may not believe in the Holy Spirit's leading). We are spoon fed sermons and teachings that may sound good and appeal to our senses, but thats not discipleship. Such places, a normal parishioner would be lucky to get 10 seconds of the pastors pastors time. Sure, there will be others who can "be in training" or pastors of something or another, made up positions that bring manmade structure into Gods body. So people can fall into this trap of I dont need to read or pray because Im going to get a sermon on Sunday and Ill have prayer time in church, or even worse "unless Im in church I cant pray". These are all things Ive heard before no joke.

So thus my question, do institutionalized churches actually hinder our walk with Christ? Because no real discipleship can happen and people look to the pastor for leadership and guidance instead of the Holy Spirit.
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For me it felt like wrong going into church which doesn't feel good to me. If I feel in church like being in a funeral, it's not for me. I want church to be completely biblical and also warm and happy place. I don't care if I'm asking too much, but I rather not go at all. I can serve Jesus in so many ways and worship and praise the Lord anywhere. But that's just me.
 
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lookingeastward

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ByTheSpirit said:
What I mean is, we go to this gathering that is Pastor-centric and run completely on the dictations of a Pastor (who may or may not believe in the Holy Spirit's leading). We are spoon fed sermons and teachings that may sound good and appeal to our senses, but thats not discipleship. Such places, a normal parishioner would be lucky to get 10 seconds of the pastors pastors time. Sure, there will be others who can "be in training" or pastors of something or another, made up positions that bring manmade structure into Gods body. So people can fall into this trap of I dont need to read or pray because Im going to get a sermon on Sunday and Ill have prayer time in church, or even worse "unless Im in church I cant pray". These are all things Ive heard before no joke.

So thus my question, do institutionalized churches actually hinder our walk with Christ? Because no real discipleship can happen and people look to the pastor for leadership and guidance instead of the Holy Spirit.
Click to expand...
ByTheSpirit said:
What I mean is, we go to this gathering that is Pastor-centric and run completely on the dictations of a Pastor (who may or may not believe in the Holy Spirit's leading). We are spoon fed sermons and teachings that may sound good and appeal to our senses, but thats not discipleship. Such places, a normal parishioner would be lucky to get 10 seconds of the pastors pastors time. Sure, there will be others who can "be in training" or pastors of something or another, made up positions that bring manmade structure into Gods body. So people can fall into this trap of I dont need to read or pray because Im going to get a sermon on Sunday and Ill have prayer time in church, or even worse "unless Im in church I cant pray". These are all things Ive heard before no joke.

So thus my question, do institutionalized churches actually hinder our walk with Christ? Because no real discipleship can happen and people look to the pastor for leadership and guidance instead of the Holy Spirit.
Click to expand...
Yes, what you are saying is correct because we need to be Bereans and search the scriptures to see if the things they are preaching/teaching are true, but our human nature tends to be lazy, so we rely on the "leaders" to do it. If we are willing to just step back from the organized church, pray, live a separated life from the world, (Jn. 17:16, 1 Jn. 2:15-17), and seek Him with our whole heart and soul, (Jer. 29:13 & Deut. 4:29-31), then we will find Him in a much deeper way and He will then begin to reveal many of the Bible passages that are either taught incorrectly or just plain out and out omitted from their preaching/teaching, Acts. 17:11.

​

 
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lookingeastward

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Sunshinee777 said:
For me it felt like wrong going into church which doesn't feel good to me. If I feel in church like being in a funeral, it's not for me. I want church to be completely biblical and also warm and happy place. I don't care if I'm asking too much, but I rather not go at all. I can serve Jesus in so many ways and worship and praise the Lord anywhere. But that's just me.
Click to expand...
Yes, I can relate to you that it can be very discouraging, but God does tell us not to forsake the assembling of the saints, (Heb. 10:25), so try to find a Bible study that is trying to teach the truth, where you are allowed to study and ask questions about what you studied. Studying by comparing scripture to scripture within its context not by using man-made study guides is a safer road. Doing word studies and using context-related cross references.
 
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OldWiseGuy said:
A good church/pastor edifies and protects the flock. He doesn't sacrifice them on the altar of the problems of the secular world.
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Yes, for sure, protection and edification by the church/pastor would be phenomenal!
 
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FoundinGrace7

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No it doesn't have to hinder our relationship with Christ, if you find good fellowship with real believers it can encourage your walk with Him and you can be an encouragement to them as well and grow in how to love others in Christ
 
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eleos1954

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All "institutionalized churches" are in an apostate condition one way or another ... read about the letters to the 7 churches. Nothing has changed ... nothing will change until the return of our Lord.

The church is a community of believers who gather together to worship God, grow in their faith, and work together to share the message of Jesus Christ with the world. It's about the condition of one's heart (mind) whether attending a church or not.
 
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FoundinGrace7 said:
No it doesn't have to hinder our relationship with Christ, if you find good fellowship with real believers it can encourage your walk with Him and you can be an encouragement to them as well and grow in how to love others in Christ
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Yes. That might be a key point there, don't go to a church and calculate what you can get out of it, go an calculate what you can do to help and encourage other believers and expand the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 13:45-46 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it"

A church will have it's flaws, but someone who has found the pearl of great price is not a flaw seeker, they are a pearl seeker. God Bless :)
 
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I'm on the fence about this. I've been reading about Soren Kierkegaard, an individual who was notoriously critical or institutionalized Christianity.

I don't think he was against church attendance completely, but specifically the state endorsed version of church that involved people paying lip service to the doctrines and going through the motions.

I think this is still applicable today. The U.S. might not have a state church, but many churches here are still affiliated with institutional denominations. Not to mention the many scandals we see in many denominations, Prosperity gospel and hypocrisy. I don't blame people for becoming disillusioned with institutionalized churches.

Now, I think attending some kind of group, even if it's just a small Bible study group, is necessary for one's spiritual health, as we are not an atomistic species.
 
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