Underground church comming?

[Jamey]

Ok, I don't want to make this a political thread. I just want to see how this scenerio plays out.

1 New administration and congress legalized gay marriage,
2 gay couple comes to a church to get married,
3 preacher says "can't unless your a member" (not sure thats a viable reason, some of you out there might beable to correct me on that one)
4 gay couple applies for membership at the church (I know how most of us feel about "applying for membership", just play along with me for now)
5. church will not admit couple because of their homosexual practices
6 couple sues church and wins.

Now if this happens, what becomes of the church? Mainly, what becomes of the Church? I believe His Church will go underground. I don't think I could attend somewhere where God's word cannot be preached or that we allow blatent disregard for It.

So this is what I'm thinking. We are going to have a state ran church, one that will only preach the state's accepted Word.
And we are going to have Christ's Church, who for fear of being sued will be underground, in our homes.

I believe God is in control of all things. I believe this is a purification process. But that is mho.
What are yours?
J.

 

[alcnossen]

Hmm, I don't think that can happen (at least not under the current legal system). Churches are private organizations, you know...let's use schools as an example. Public schools are not allowed to discriminate (althought they do still have some criteria for admission), however private schools are basically allowed to use whatever criteria they want to admit students. It's because private schools are not receiving government money, and the same thing goes for churches. But who knows these days, it seems like we might be getting a new constitution soon.

 

[hiscosmicgoldfish]

I think there will always be opt-out conditions with churches, as it's not part of the core beliefs of the members.

 

[visionary]

Like what happened with the boy scouts...

 

[dayhiker]

I don't see the government telling the church what to do about gay marriages any time soon.

 

[visionary]

LONDON, England, June 12, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Church of England has raised the alarm against new government proposals that will force churches, groups, and individuals to provide services to homosexuals, including blessing "marriages" or civil partnerships, or providing communion under pain of legal prosecution.

The 2006 Sexual Orientation (Provision of Goods and Services) Regulations, which are due for adoption October 2006, prohibit the discrimination of services based on sexual orientation, in the same manner in which discrimination based on race or sex is illegal.

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/jun/06061209.html

 

[1Harold]

This is a legal not political question

Most Churches incorporate to become tax exempt its called 501c3

Being a corp. has benefits legal status and such.

The Big one is having a receipt for tax deductions.

But they have to follow rules set by the government.

The deal is in the US Churches cannot be taxed any way.

They have no legal status –no court action possible – no recourse cant sue or be sued.

It is hard to get bank accounts, own land among other things (these things can be done or overcome)

Also there are no government rules to follow.

These Churches are called Unregistered or Free

This is more common in House and small churches although some larger established Churches are becoming Free Churches.

I pastor a Free Church in TN. We meet in our home.

Harold

 

[visionary]

which will make underground churches more appealing as the government dictates more and more what the church can and can not believe..preach.

 

[lismore]

Another secnario. Preach the gospel of Jesus in your church. Like Peter did at Pentecost. Many churches these days would throw you out for that.

 

[visionary]

So true... tough crowd.. itchy ears..stiff necked, .. full of pride.. blind... deluded.. and trying to get the sliver out of the other person's eye... idle gossipers.. the list goes on.

 

[lismore]

I don't see the government telling the church what to do about gay marriages any time soon.

It already happened in this country Hiker:o

 

[riw]

Try reading a book called "Hitler's Cross." Or look at the situation in China. You don't have to close down churches to make Christianity go underground. I know J Vernon McGee predicted Christianity would go "underground" a number of years ago (though I can't ever find the quote), and the primary driver would be the "mainline churches."

So, I think this is coming, at some point, should the Lord tarry.



Russ

 

[Timuchin]

Yes the large and medium-sized churches will bow low to the government. They have to. The are formatted after the Constantinian church model that expects government control. The Small groups also use the Constantinian model because of the churches from which they come.

We need to spread the word about the New Testament Home church model that Obama can't touch. They will thrive just like they did in New Testament times. Look up Frank Viola and Neil Cole for books on the subject.

Look up George Otis for transformation wisdom for what God requires for a revival. There is a pattern.

Stockpile Bibles and follow up materials that might not be available when things get economically bad. The coming revival will need it.

 

[savedandthankful]

Sorry if someone has already posted a similar reply, I havn't had chance to read the other posts yet. In response to the original post:

I am from the UK and we already have a state run church. Even the non-state run churches seem to be following in their footsteps of implementing government policy and preaching in line with political correctness.

Don't get me wrong, I have heard some nice messages in church services in the UK. I live in America now and I love the meaty teachings that are directly relevant to the scripture beeing read that week. Our pastor never side-steps the difficult, un-politically correct scripture. He goes right ahead and teaches it in a un-politically correct way. I love it because it has helped me in my walk with God.

I personally think the only way to meet and have fellowship if you are a fundamentalist in many areas of the UK is to attend a home church. Soon any kind of teaching that resembles the early church will be underground in the whole EU and already is in some member states.

 

[Andres88]

You have just given an example on how separation from Church and State is not being correctly practiced.

 

[Timuchin]

And the government will favor a church that merely pacifies their people and promotes their causes. The Constantinian model church finds it much easier to be a monopoly and step on any startups than to compete with real churches head-to-head.

 

[visionary]

Compliance comes with the tax exempt status.

 

[Ursie]

Yeah, we're headed in the direction of being underground. How long will that be? Can't say for sure, but we're certainly headed there. This is why it is so important that believers study and know their bible. In other countries where church is underground, getting a bible is a major undertaking. We must know what is true and be able to share it correctly with others.

 

[Tammy]

I agree with you, the faithful churches will eventually be underground. Years ago, my husband and I supported underground churches in Communist Eastern Europe. The Govt. told the churches what could be preached, what could be printed, they appointed their Pastors, etc. The only way to have religious freedom was to go underground....and that is what is coming here to the US, probably sooner than we think....

 

[lismore]

Yeah, we're headed in the direction of being underground. How long will that be? Can't say for sure, but we're certainly headed there. This is why it is so important that believers study and know their bible. In other countries where church is underground, getting a bible is a major undertaking. We must know what is true and be able to share it correctly with others.

I agree.

At least when the churches go underground it wont be a surprise, we'll know it's coming. And at least we wont be alone, there will be scores of Christians go underground