I got an email from a friend that encouraged me so much I thought I’d pass it on. There are some determined “lone ranger” Christians I know who insist that there is no need to go to church as long as they read their bible at home.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
(Hebrews 10:24-25)
The command of Hebrews 10:25 aside, and forgetting the fact that they are denying themselves biblical instruction, they’re also forgoing Godly relationships like this. Being part of a group of people who can know what you’re going through and provide support – and who allow you to do the same – is such a comfort.
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Just felt led to send you some verses that someone blessed me with this past week in addition to some other verses I was reading thru in the Psalms:
The verses given to me
Psalm 32:7 “You are my hiding place, you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”
Psalm 121:7-8 “The Lord will keep you from all harm. He will watch over your life. The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” (This whole psalm has spoken volumes to me over the course of my life. There is an old Israeli dance song that we used to do growing up that quotes this psalm and I’ve heard it sung in Messianic Jewish gatherings. He would want you to know that He spends all of His time on those whom He loves.)
Psalm 37:23-24 “If the Lord delights in a man’s way, He makes his steps firm, those he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.”
Psalm 25:4-5 “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truths and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.”
Psalm 68:19 “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.”
The Psalms I read thru tonight
Psalm 115:1 “Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to Your Name be the glory, because of Your Love and Faithfulness.”
Psalm 119:76 “May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to Your promise to your servant.”
Psalm 119:132 “Turn to me and have mercy on me, as You always do to those who love Your Name.”
Psalm 125:1-2 “Those who trust in the Lord are like mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forevermore.” (He wants you to know that you are surrounded with His Love.)
Psalm 130:7 “O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.”
Psalm 138:1-3 “I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; before the gods I will sing Your praise. I will bow down toward Your holy temple and will praise your name for Your love and Your faithfulness, for You have exalted above all things your name and your word. When I called, You answered me; You made me bold and stouthearted.”
We prefer “free range” believers.
Besides, godly and encouraging relationships can be found outside the institutional church.
Yes, so I’ve heard.
It doesn’t perplex me that people get frustrated and leave the church. It’s chock full of sinners, hypocrisy, false leaders, general wackiness, and can be extremely frustrating. But I was struck by this paragraph in your post, The Church Papa Built:
Sounds like you have a retreat center in mind, which is a wonderful idea. But I’d like to point out that all those goals are being met for my family by our church. We made the rounds of a variety of churches and left hurt, angry, and frustrated. We finally found the right church, and by our commitment to it, do our part to keep it on track so more and more people can benefit from it as we have.
It makes perfect sense to me to abandon “religion” and start up an Acts 2 style church, but it seems sanctimonious to make a big deal about not being churched when it’s really just a reversion to the original biblical definition of church. Which – I hasten to add – I don’t know if that’s what you’re doing; you certainly don’t seem sanctimonious like others I know are. My point is I’ve encountered two types of unchurched Christians. 1. Those who are the type I referred to in the post, who read their bible at home on occasion and lead moral lives for a variety of reasons including social pressure but otherwise pay no attention to matters of faith. They never risk getting convicted by a sermon, and never enter into relationships with other Christians that might expose their sin. I doubt these people are even saved, frankly, because there’s no growth, and if there’s no growth, is there life? I don’t think so. 2. Showy, unchurched, we’re-better-than-you-sheeple types, who also don’t risk being convicted by a sermon, but at least are in relationships that might contribute to their sanctification. But the lack of commitment makes it too easy to bail when things get uncomfortable. And many do.
You and Tiffany seem to be part of an emerging third group that generally aims to meet the goals churches aim to meet, but in a less structured – or unstructured – environment. Sort of a para-church; in any event from reading your blogs that’s the impression I get. There’s only one way to God, of course – through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice – but I think the sanctification process can play out any number of ways, and the Holy Spirit can work in all circumstances. So I don’t mean to knock it – but it’s fair to say based on my own experience that I’m somewhat skeptical. I hope it works out for you.
I think a retreat center is kind of what Father wants us to do, although it’s quite a ways into the future I believe. Some friends of ours run something similar in Germany for missionaries. Ours would more than likely focus on pastors. Sadly, many are lonely because they’ve been taught it’s best not to have close relationships with their congregants and are too busy to build relationships with other local ministers. Hopefully, we’ll have a place where they can make long-lasting relationships and be encouraged to make some within their congregation.
It’s wonderful that you’ve found a place of community and life because, in the institutional setting, they are few and far between, but they do exist. Our reason for wanting to leave ours is that our time is done. God had us there for certain reasons and now those reasons have been fulfilled. We know it’s time to move on and, in fact, my next post will talk about what we’ll be doing next. I’ll put it out there in the next couple of days, and you will definitely want to see it.
Also, I would add two more groups to yours. 3. Those that turn to New Age or beer and are never heard from again. 4. Those that live grace-filled lives because of their deep relationship with the Father and make long-lasting and fruitful connections with others. Some from groups 1 and 2 will eventually make their way to this group once Father has dealt with the hurts and difficult areas in their lives. Others from groups 1 and 2 will either stay in that group and be bitter, switch groups (1 or 2) and be bitter or go back to religion.
If I’m reading your comment correctly, one of your points is its not about leaving or staying in an institutional church, but rather its about abandoning religion for relationship with God, and I completely agree. Finding that relationship can definitely be done in a congregational setting, but I’ve found from my experience and the experience of others it can be done outside, as well.
I’ll try my best not to be a showy sheeple. Hey, that’s kinda catchy.