do we need to be looking for a church?

[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?

 

[LadyAradia]

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

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

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]

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

 

[Albion]

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]

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 Eristikon]

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]

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 Eristikon]

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]

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...

 

[mont974x4]

Jesus spoke out against organized religion. He favors relationships.

Do we need "church", nope. We need fellowship with Him and woth our brothers and sisters.

God bless
Jay

 

[AllTalkNoAction]

True church is relationship!
If you are in right relationship with God you will want to be in fellowship with others that are .. . believing and doing what The Lord says.

A person with vision will see through the facade of organised religion and they will also see the benefit of being in true church, as Jesus set up through the apostles in the NT.

 

[LadyAradia]

hmmm alot of answers..
i have tried alot of denominations...and not for a few weeks either...years. vineyard is fine for a .... outing?
not one near here anyways.
i just found it odd that there was no where in particular for outcasts like myself to fellowship. hahaha
and yes, i think in leaving a church you leave a lose alot of your friends too. it has been a year of leaving things for me....
thankfully GOD has stuck around through it...

 

[AllTalkNoAction]

not one near here anyways.
i just found it odd that there was no where in particular for outcasts like myself to fellowship. hahaha
...

I know plenty of people (myself included), who did as Ruth and various people in the bible did and moved home to be in a church like God wants.

M't:6:30: Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
:31: Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
:32: (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek) : for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
:33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

 

[Albion]

Jesus spoke out against organized religion. He favors relationships.

Do we need "church", nope. We need fellowship with Him and woth our brothers and sisters.

God bless
Jay

I'm not comfortable putting it that way to anyone who asks about church membership. Jesus did say that he was founding his church. What that church consists of is the totality of all who believe in and trust him as Savior, we say, rather than any particular denomination. But he did speak of more than isolated relationships. I know that the difference is possibly a small one, but it's a genuine one.

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

Yeah, what Albion said. My own Izzy twist on it: We, all of us Christ-followers, are the church, whether we are part of a church or not... but we do our best work in the company of fellow believers, not alone. I think the key word is synergy. I don't necessarily think you need to be in "organized religion" to get that, but you need some form of regular fellowship that works for you. Sometimes a solitary retreat is just the ticket, and some of the greatest saints have done just that (beginning with Jesus' 40 days in the desert), but afterwards they generally returned to the Body of Christ to do great things.

 

[mont974x4]

I'm not comfortable putting it that way to anyone who asks about church membership. Jesus did say that he was founding his church. What that church consists of is the totality of all who believe in and trust him as Savior, we say, rather than any particular denomination. But he did speak of more than isolated relationships. I know that the difference is possibly a small one, but it's a genuine one.

I didn't mean to insuate isolation in anyway. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[PROPHECYKID]

The bible teaches that we should fellowship with the brethren which suggest that we need to go to church.
Heb 10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh.
The bible also teaches that he has his people scattered all over the place but he will make them one.
John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and they shall become one flock, one shepherd.

What are the characteristics of god's people
Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints, they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Rev 12:17 And the dragon waxed wroth with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and hold the testimony of Jesus:
Rev 22:14 Blessed are they who do His commandments, that their authority will be over the Tree of Life, and they may enter in by the gates into the city.
1 thing is for sure amid all the religious confusion. God's people will keep his commandments

 

[Albion]

The bible teaches that we should fellowship with the brethren which suggest that we need to go to church.

Actually, it only says or suggests that we not forsake getting together with other Christians.

Heb 10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh.

In fairness to our inquirer, this doesn't necessarily mean "organized religion," church attendance, or membership.

 

[mont974x4]

Albion makes a good point

NASB
Act 2:41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.
Act 2:42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Act 2:43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
Act 2:44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;
Act 2:45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.
Act 2:46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,
Act 2:47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.


hmmm no official membership list, no list of requirements added, just straight forward relationships, family