Do we still need a "church"?

[TheOneHeLoves]

I have left a local church due and then left another one 4 years later. There are several reasons why but it all comes to one thing. They were not aligned with God's word. Entertainment and membership (numbers) became more important than teaching the truth of God's Word.
I teach 2 Bible Study classes and not sure how to expand those groups now that I am not attending a local church.

Does anyone have a similar experience or advice?

 

[Triumph1300]

Well.....join the club....

Nothing new.

Maybe join a house church or start one.
The early churches were meeting in homes.

I am aware of several house churches in my area, and they have been going for a very long time.
Less hassle about maintaining a building and all the other stuff connected with it.
They have ordained pastors. These were started because of remote areas in the "Canadian Wilds" lol.
Too much politics going on in established churches, etc. ??

 

[MatthewG]

Make YouTube videos? You can teach through ministering in some form or another.

 

[Pearl]

We are the Church. We need a fellowship.

 

[TheOneHeLoves]

We are the Church. We need a fellowship.

I have fellowship with my Bible Study ladies and spend time mentoring my high school girls group as well.

 

[TheOneHeLoves]

Make YouTube videos? You can teach through ministering in some form or another.

I want interaction and I think me talking to a camera with no response will make me awkward. but i have thought of that.

 

[Pearl]

I have left a local church due and then left another one 4 years later. There are several reasons why but it all comes to one thing. They were not aligned with God's word. Entertainment and membership (numbers) became more important than teaching the truth of God's Word.
I teach 2 Bible Study classes and not sure how to expand those groups now that I am not attending a local church.

Does anyone have a similar experience or advice?

I have a similar reason for not 'going to church' but also the fact that I can no longer get the bus.

 

[TheOneHeLoves]

Well.....join the club....

Nothing new.

Maybe join a house church or start one.
The early churches were meeting in homes.

I am aware of several house churches in my area, and they have been going for a very long time.
Less hassle about maintaining a building and all the other stuff connected with it.
They have ordained pastors. These were started because of remote areas in the "Canadian Wilds" lol.
Too much politics going on in established churches, etc. ??

Well, I am not sure if I am reading this wrong but your comment started off very rudely. I was just asking a question and did not attack you or claim to be the only one experiencing this.
In fact, your response is one reason why I don't like "church", members are constantly attacking for no reason.

 

[TheOneHeLoves]

I have a similar reason for not 'going to church' but also the fact that I can no longer get the bus.

I miss corporate worship but I still worship in my living room alone. I am sorry that you are not able to get transportation.

 

[MatthewG]

I want interaction and I think me talking to a camera with no response will make me awkward. but i have thought of that.

Well, the question is do you want a response? You could always end with people being able to email you or something, it’s totally a choice. I use to have a good hundred videos but I deleted them during a drug relapse.

 

[Pearl]

Well, I am not sure if I am reading this wrong but your comment started off very rudely. I was just asking a question and did not attack you or claim to be the only one experiencing this.
In fact, your response is one reason why I don't like "church", members are constantly attacking for no reason.

I read the comment and didn't see it as rude.

 

[TheOneHeLoves]

I read the comment and didn't see it as rude.

thank you. I guess I just read it with a tone.

 

[ScottA]

I have left a local church due and then left another one 4 years later. There are several reasons why but it all comes to one thing. They were not aligned with God's word. Entertainment and membership (numbers) became more important than teaching the truth of God's Word.
I teach 2 Bible Study classes and not sure how to expand those groups now that I am not attending a local church.

Does anyone have a similar experience or advice?

These things were to come. False teachers were to enter the church bringing in destructive doctrines, a lie was to be believed bringing strong delusion and great apostacy, and it was all already at work during the times of the apostles.

So, good on you for not buying what many are selling!

Meanwhile, the actual church exists as the actual body and bride of Christ, made up of those who have preferred the truth, in spite of all that has been going on in the apostate church. The true church are the people born of the spirit of God doing the will of God, as a body does the will of the head.

I too have experienced much of what you described, been through many church breakups, and even called pastors on the carpet and been told to leave. But we should not be troubled by such things--they should. Which does not mean that everyone who disagrees with a church's ways is correct in their own doctrine. Meaning, we all should seek God's guidance and be willing to repent ourselves.

The fact is, with all that has been foretold of apostacy within the church--possibly being the victims of many false teachers now for millennia, we all should expect to be corrected. We the gentiles should understand that this is our time of testing...and like Israel before us (who thought they had it all figured out, but completely failed and crucified Christ) we stand to repeat their mistakes a hundred fold.

 

[Triumph1300]

Well, I am not sure if I am reading this wrong but your comment started off very rudely. I was just asking a question and did not attack you or claim to be the only one experiencing this.
In fact, your response is one reason why I don't like "church", members are constantly attacking for no reason.

Well, I guess you are a bit sensitive about the issue.
I was just making a statement "join the club"....i.o.w. there are many Christians going through the same thing.
And I suggested a few actions you can take, which you choose not to comment on.

 

[Rockerduck]

Minister here. When they stopped congregational singing, that was the beginning of the downfall. Remember the Music director leading worship from the Hymn book and the congregation singing? Next they get rid of the Choir robes, and some got rid of the choir. Then the world entered in, the Pastor, singers, and musicians dress like the world and play top 40 songs on the Christian chart. Now, Los Vegas is the show in Churches. Preachers now preach to the younger crowd, except there are more older people in the church, always has been.

 

[MA2444]

We are the Church. We need a fellowship.

Best answer so far. This is the reason for churches. I've heard it taught on before and we all know and even quote sometimes Hebrews 10:25

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching..../KJV

But what does it really mean? What is exhorting one another mean? Easy. All you have to do is to continue reading where v25 leaves off!

Hebrews 10:25-31
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God..../KJV !!

And to be clear on Exhort...
"strongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something."

What are we supposed to exhort each other to do while we are assembled?!
Well to worship God of course! That is the main reason for churches to exist! So that the people can assemble themselves together with others for a corporate worship of the Lord! Teaching is also to be done in church thru the reading of the scriptures.

You see, when a believer does something in the Lord, it can be a powerful thing if done in spirit and in truth...so what does corporate worship do that a single Believer can not? Good question! I'm glad you asked. It gives a body of Believers one voice in worship of God...!!!

And I'm not sure of what happens spiritually, but I suspect there is a sort of geometric progression and multiplication of voice unto God, so corporate worship is very very important. So much so that God likes it so much, that He even put it in scripture for us to learn!

That said, I admit I have no church per se. I haven't been to church in a few ears now.
I came here to this location in 2018 and started working here in my trade for a company that I think serviced all the churches in this town (facetiously, but a lot!) So I got in a lot of different churches and consequently, got invited to services many times. And I went to the services. It feels like I have attended services in most of the churches in my county and some of them I returned to several times because I liked them. So why didn't I become a member in any of them?

Well, when I lived in Colorado, I didn't really choose my church. My church chose me! I went there to make a repair on something and after I was done, I was leaving and thought hmm, I'll step into the sanctuary and take a peek, maybe I'll attend next Sunday? As soon as I stepped into the sanctuary, the Holy Spirit fell on me hard. It was a great feeling! And I thought, yeah, this is the church that is my church!

That has never happened for me in an Ohio church. So I didn't feel drawn to join any of them, even tho they spoke truth (for the most part) and all the people were friendly. Besides some of the ones I did like, were teaching what I learned years before, so I wasn't really getting anything new for myself. A good message for new Believers, but I had no place there. No draw. Which shouldn't matter if I am there to worship the Lord I understand, but I was getting so much new info on Youtube teaching videos...that there was (and is) my draw.

I've even been to a couple home church services which were ok but mediocre at best, and the distance involved to attend! Whoa. Why do they always live so far from me!

Now I live alone, and I have eyeballed my house as being very suitable for a home church. But even tho I have plenty of room in this house to do such a thing, I am not fully prepared to start having home services. I have ample floor space, but zero folding chairs! I bought a case of Bibles on sale supposedly but they turned out to be very small print. Too small in my mind. I have enough wafers and wine for a Communion service for a small crowd of people! But I'm not organized to have a home service. I have never written a sermon to speak. I'm not drawn to being behind a microphone in front of a bunch of people (Yikes!) and I've never worked in a church before to know how it is run. All the home church services that I've ever attended all are basically a Bible Study group. Which is good, but not the fellowship that scripture speaks of...corporate worship.
I don't even have any hymn books!

...??? So I dunno. That idea languishes while I try to collect some things that I need. Besides, I don't know hardly anyone in this town! Like two people only, and only one of them is a Believer. I need a dozen folding chairs and you can't use plastic chairs for this sort of thing. Any suitable metal folding chair is like $40 to $80 bucks now! So much for that idea! Even for only one dozen, lol!

 

[TheOneHeLoves]

Best answer so far. This is the reason for churches. I've heard it taught on before and we all know and even quote sometimes Hebrews 10:25

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching..../KJV

But what does it really mean? What is exhorting one another mean? Easy. All you have to do is to continue reading where v25 leaves off!

Hebrews 10:25-31
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God..../KJV !!

And to be clear on Exhort...
"strongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something."

What are we supposed to exhort each other to do while we are assembled?!
Well to worship God of course! That is the main reason for churches to exist! So that the people can assemble themselves together with others for a corporate worship of the Lord! Teaching is also to be done in church thru the reading of the scriptures.

You see, when a believer does something in the Lord, it can be a powerful thing if done in spirit and in truth...so what does corporate worship do that a single Believer can not? Good question! I'm glad you asked. It gives a body of Believers one voice in worship of God...!!!

And I'm not sure of what happens spiritually, but I suspect there is a sort of geometric progression and multiplication of voice unto God, so corporate worship is very very important. So much so that God likes it so much, that He even put it in scripture for us to learn!

That said, I admit I have no church per se. I haven't been to church in a few ears now.
I came here to this location in 2018 and started working here in my trade for a company that I think serviced all the churches in this town (facetiously, but a lot!) So I got in a lot of different churches and consequently, got invited to services many times. And I went to the services. It feels like I have attended services in most of the churches in my county and some of them I returned to several times because I liked them. So why didn't I become a member in any of them?

Well, when I lived in Colorado, I didn't really choose my church. My church chose me! I went there to make a repair on something and after I was done, I was leaving and thought hmm, I'll step into the sanctuary and take a peek, maybe I'll attend next Sunday? As soon as I stepped into the sanctuary, the Holy Spirit fell on me hard. It was a great feeling! And I thought, yeah, this is the church that is my church!

That has never happened for me in an Ohio church. So I didn't feel drawn to join any of them, even tho they spoke truth (for the most part) and all the people were friendly. Besides some of the ones I did like, were teaching what I learned years before, so I wasn't really getting anything new for myself. A good message for new Believers, but I had no place there. No draw. Which shouldn't matter if I am there to worship the Lord I understand, but I was getting so much new info on Youtube teaching videos...that there was (and is) my draw.

I've even been to a couple home church services which were ok but mediocre at best, and the distance involved to attend! Whoa. Why do they always live so far from me!

Now I live alone, and I have eyeballed my house as being very suitable for a home church. But even tho I have plenty of room in this house to do such a thing, I am not fully prepared to start having home services. I have ample floor space, but zero folding chairs! I bought a case of Bibles on sale supposedly but they turned out to be very small print. Too small in my mind. I have enough wafers and wine for a Communion service for a small crowd of people! But I'm not organized to have a home service. I have never written a sermon to speak. I'm not drawn to being behind a microphone in front of a bunch of people (Yikes!) and I've never worked in a church before to know how it is run. All the home church services that I've ever attended all are basically a Bible Study group. Which is good, but not the fellowship that scripture speaks of...corporate worship.
I don't even have any hymn books!

...??? So I dunno. That idea languishes while I try to collect some things that I need. Besides, I don't know hardly anyone in this town! Like two people only, and only one of them is a Believer. I need a dozen folding chairs and you can't use plastic chairs for this sort of thing. Any suitable metal folding chair is like $40 to $80 bucks now! So much for that idea! Even for only one dozen, lol!

I teach two Bible Studies a week. I have fellowship. I teach one book at a time - verse by verse. i love reading the Bible and love reading with them. We don't skip one word. I have been doing this for 10 years so when I go to local churches I hear a water down, bottle fed message. I want the Word to be read and preached instead all I hear is 35 minutes of a story and 2 minutes of scripture and 3 minutes of joking.

I was a part of a local church here for 10 years after volunteering so much and becoming pretty much unpaid staff, i was seeing the ugly side of the church business. I spoke up and was asked to find another area to serve. So I left.

 

[DuckieLady]

I've had really bad experiences with the Christian community in my area.

One lady kept trying to pry into my life and ask for a bunch of information and having just left a bad situation and trying to get my life together, I just wanted to be left alone. I had been through a lot.

One of the pastor's wives kind of insulted me by acting giddy and loudly "whispering" to her husband, because she thought I was fired from a different job. (I was just helping out in a different position.) Why do it in front of me, I don't know. That was weird.

The first person to snap at me in public over a piece of paper also had a husband who worked in ministry.

That has slowed down, but it made me really uncomfortable and prefer to keep to myself.

But we still need churches and churches do a lot to help the community. They are necessary.

I had experienced enough verbal abuse before this for it to be not as damaging. What I don't understand is how the wives of church LEADERS, and I say that because the men caused me no harm, were so callous towards me, considering this is in a situation where I am serving them.

Therefore, I am trying to be hospitable, so what about that is causing them a problem? I'm confused.

I don't get it.

Still necessary, but it would be better if they could love as Christ did.

 

[Rockerduck]

I've had really bad experiences with the Christian community in my area.

One lady kept trying to pry into my life and ask for a bunch of information and having just left a bad situation and trying to get my life together, I just wanted to be left alone. I had been through a lot.

One of the pastor's wives kind of insulted me by acting giddy and loudly "whispering" to her husband, because she thought I was fired from a different job. (I was just helping out in a different position.) Why do it in front of me, I don't know. That was weird.

The first person to snap at me in public over a piece of paper also had a husband who worked in ministry.

That has slowed down, but it made me really uncomfortable and prefer to keep to myself.

But we still need churches and churches do a lot to help the community. They are necessary.

I had experienced enough verbal abuse before this for it to be not as damaging. What I don't understand is how the wives of church LEADERS, and I say that because the men caused me no harm, were so callous towards me, considering this is in a situation where I am serving them.

Therefore, I am trying to be hospitable, so what about that is causing them a problem? I'm confused.

I don't get it.

Still necessary, but it would be better if they could love as Christ did.

In the churches I've served in, the pretty girls and ladies got the attention of guys and the jealousy from women. But the pretty ladies usually didn't think they were pretty. I wonder if that was your case.

 

[DuckieLady]

In the churches I've served in, the pretty girls and ladies got the attention of guys and the jealousy from women. But the pretty ladies usually didn't think they were pretty. I wonder if that was your case.

I've had some comments thrown at me, from time to time.

It makes me uncomfortable. I try to be nice, but at the same time I don't know how to respond.

I already have one man. I don't need more.