Why not in church?

[treasurewords]

Just wanted to see if there were others with similar feelings and/or beliefs:

1) Church takes place in the heart, not in a building
* Sounds like a definite cliche, but it's true. ANY time I gather with ANY other believers (the "two or three" thing), my soul rejoices and sometimes several hours have passed just talking about how wonderful the Lord is. I would MUCH RATHER engage in pure fellowship with other believers with input and participation from EVERYONE than join with hundreds I can't take the time to get close to who reluctantly force themselves to do little more than engage in regular religious ceremonies.

2) Every church I've been to in the local area is either cold and full of issues that make fellowship impossible, or is too lost in either completely liberal acceptance of worldliness for the sake of numbers or rejection of others based on the complete faith in TRADITIONS and outward appearance and not Christ.

3) It seems like the way to go is with small cells of home churches where everyone is close, loving, and supportive of their home cell. If The Church in America (that is every born again believer) does not make a move toward internal bonds that do cause you to love your neighbor as yourself and see no one else's sin but your own (another fault that I see the FRUIT of in churches today... too much "Well bless God if they're doing x, y, or z then they're certainly not a Christian! Why I would never do x, y, or z." (Every time someone says this I bet there's twice as many x, y, and z's that are JUST LIKE the x, y, and z they have such an issue with in their own life... I knew this is the way it was with me) then I can't imagine any sort of revival because the slow death that's taking place now will simply continue to eat up what's left in America. Then again...

Miracles are my God's specialty.

But it sure is cold out there.

 

[Mustaphile]

I have similar feelings on what would make for a good fellowship. I like the informal small home meeting. It's more real to me.

I don't necessarily think that others are doing anything wrong. What they are doing is good for them. It's just not good for me. I set fairly high standards for myself and high expectations for others. At the same time I am a very forgiving person. When high standards are not being met, and I am often forgiving, there is a tension that builds to a point where I just have to put some distance between myself and others. This is because, for myself, compassion and mercy always supercede judgement, so when my compassion and mercy run out, and the judgement starts to kick in, I don't like myself or the path I am on anymore. It's time to be alone with God again.

 

[Silent Enigma]

(another fault that I see the FRUIT of in churches today... too much "Well bless God if they're doing x, y, or z then they're certainly not a Christian! Why I would never do x, y, or z." (Every time someone says this I bet there's twice as many x, y, and z's that are JUST LIKE the x, y, and z they have such an issue with in their own life... I knew this is the way it was with me)

Perhaps you could explain this to me with different wording?

 

[knownbeforetime]

I'm not in church right now because it seems like nobody shares my interests. I am into things like Math and Science. I am into Harry Potter. I am also into theology.

It seems like any Christians I meet are only into the emotional aspect of Christianity. ("God loves us, yipee skipee!!!" ) It's not that I don't experience those things, It's just that I lean more to the intellectual side of Christianity.

Most people lack any interest in Math and Science ("Ooh, it's so hard..."). And for some reason, Harry Potter = Satan in some circles.

 

[mrs.wilde]

My family and i are not attending organized church because Idont brlieve most of them are serious about following Jesus teaching. Most churches are seeking popularity. Forgive me if its sound judgemental. This is my honest feeling. The Bible says " have nothing to do with fruitless deeds of darkness" I dont believe we can be friutful if we are not wholeheartedly commited to Him. Any way we are serving V.O.M. and I am volunteer evangelist for the Lord. Thank you for listening. God bless you.

 

[newcreature]

To be honest, I am simply churched out (talking about churches with walls). Since I was a child, I have attended 6 different denominations- from Anglican to Pentacostal. My experience at church was not significant until I was old enough to decide for myself. What is meant by that, I had no choice where my parents took me. But one thing I gathered early on is that: 1)There were too many opinions coming from the pulpit. 2) Too much ritual. 3) Too little emphasis on Christ; although it would seem by outward apperarances that Christ was central. I could go on about my observations...
My realization of the true Church came when I lived in the Ukraine for a year. There were no mans opinions shouting at me; it was just a couple of people on a missions trip. We had been sent by our church to do work for God at 7 orphanages in the region. To make a long story short... the ministry that sent us was corrupt- money was being used for other purposes than for helping the children. So, a couple of us started doing our own thing, (nothing special-no horns to toot) many times without an interpreter. I learned that the power of action can so many times speak louder than the speaking of words. Christ was untainted to me for the first time. I found freedom in the fact that I could help the helpless (in reality, the children of these orphanages were helping me). Isn't church about doing for Christ, and not merely letting others do for us. We, each individual Christian, has a responsibility to join in fellowship, worshiping Him, step out of the worldy norm, and minister whole heartidly- not opinion driven, but Christ driven.

I hope that i have not confused anyone. It is hard for me to put into words what I think on this matter. We can find Christ in the most unlikely places.

 

[Gentileone]

Well im glad that there are ppl with there eyes open.

God is calling his bride out, Amen

Yes ive been to a few churches and some are Legalistic,dead and far from the truth it makes ya mad.

I have now finally found one in the place where i live and its noted as the "City of Churches" We are led by the Holy Spirit and we are contending to be part of the bride also aiming to revive ourselves for a revival.

You are right church is not a building it's the person, for we are the body and Jesus is the Head.
I use to just go to different places just to fellowship but not really worried about the preaching because it is well......................

But im afraid that you still need to go to a place of worship to get fed, to recieve the manna, unfortuantly where?.Here is one way of being fed like i did instead of going to these places to recieve manna ;
www.williambranham.com/messagest.htm
or
http://www.nathan.co.za/sermons.asp
this a good place to be fed without going to a place of worship to recieve manna.
There are many ppl like you who are searching for God and not man made buildings, i talk to many and they also know that these places are no good.
And are searching for the real face of God.
I have been watching this for about a year or two now God is putting on ppl hearts and showing them that is not the desired place to be.

I know exactly how you feel, so hang in there and read atleast two or three of those sermons before you make any judgements on them.
Fellowship as much as possible and wait for the Holy Spirit to ignite across the world,
in the meantime keep searching for and praying for a real God desiring place of woship.

Amen to you sister/brothers newcreature, Mrs.wilde, Mustaphile and treasurewords

God Bless you all.
God does hear his children and will answer and Jesus said come to me all those who thirst for you will not thirst no more, Amen

 

[MrsGnomeCrusher]

I do agree with you. Even though I do attend a local church, it was after a lot of church-hopping. I finally found a place where there doesn't seem to be much, if any, legalism (none that I see at this point) and the man preachin' makes sense and has something to say. I have contemplated to go "unchurched" in the aspect to not attend a building, but I feel I am being fed for the time being at the current church. I feel that there's too much "feel good" buildings.

We are the church. You're the church and I'm the church. I really am desiring to go deeper--something I cannot get at buildings where people play church.

 

[mrs.wilde]

wow, i finally found somebody using the phrase " playing church"!

 

[Gentileone]

wow, i finally found somebody using the phrase " playing church"!

Oh boy how true those words are

I think we have hit a note there!

Jesus called these ppl pharasees, and unfortuantly we will find the the wheat umong the tares as we are warned.

This makes me more encourage and reminds of this, when Elijah ask God is there only me left,
Nay said God but there are 7000 thousand others who have NOT bowed their knees to baal

God Bless all

 

[Bevlina]

In case anybody is wondering, I believe Gentileone means the Word of God via Jesus when he says manna. Correct me if I'm wrong Matthew.

 

[Truth-Teacher]

Everytime I read in Acts about how they laid all they had down at the Apostles feet,my heart just aches.I would love so much that the whole Church wherever we are~home/building whatever, would come together as one body one mind and spirit in this kind of Love for one another,so no one does without,and everyone has one thing in mind besides ourself.........JESUS! I know it sounds like I am not being realistic,because it seems so out of reach,when everyone wants to 'buy,sell and trade' with "I" in mind instead of others,like the Bible teaches us.How did they do it? Thousands were being added t the Church.What a beautiful place to be!...Heaven,I guess!
For now, I am at home because of the Church being so Political, we have gone to different places that all they want is for everyone to see 'their' ministry,how each one seems to try to out-do the other,and who has the most numbers,jealosy is the evil culprit that raises its ugly head when God anoints the one that comes in there as a humble servant and when they see Gods blessings unfold on that one! My ,My have I seen this over and over in the Church!! Its not good,and do not want a part of it.All I want is to sit at the Saviors feet,and hear what He is saying,for I need a refreshing drink.. for the road has been pretty long, and want to see what our God is going to have us do next,(such a mess!)for the Church does not want to hear truth,(majority,not all)they just want to have fun.to be entertained.And it is beginning to be nonsense out there.Do you agree?

 

[cjhenson]

I don't attend a church outside my home because i cannot seem to find one that fits with me. It seems liek every church picks one or two verses in the bible and that is what they preach about..constantly...