“You need to go to church . . .” I’m sure you’ve heard that as much as I have over the years; and that’s before people find out that I am a Christian. Sometimes I’ll respond with, “Why?” The answer is usually, “Because Jesus says we should,” or “It says in the Bible . . .” I know the reasons and I can practically quote chapter and verse; but what of the laymen? Those who don’t know Christ haven’t a clue why they should be in church or what the Bible says about anything. This blog entry will address the issue and what my views are on the subject.
To begin with, church is NOT for the unbeliever; it is not a social club; it is not a building; it is not Sunday entertainment. Church, as found in the Bible, are the people; those who know Jesus as Lord and Savior. I have studied the Bible from cover to cover and have yet to find anything mandating, ordaining, or instructing believers to do what we see in today’s “modern church.” However, I’ll get to that in a minute. Allow me to continue.
A few years ago I had a horrific experience in a church at the hands of “Christ-loving Christians.” That is when I started to study what church was in the first century and what it should be today. I’ll save that experience for another time and date except to say that what they did to me had no biblical support. The Bible should not be viewed as a book of rules, but rather a guidebook; an “owner’s manual on life” if you will. Those people at that church totally disregarded what it had to say and “conducted church on their terms.”
So, what is church; or rather, what should it be? I believe that we, as mere mortals, have tried to make it something to please us and not God. To begin with, it’s a gathering of like-minded believers joined in “one Spirit.” They gather to worship God; they gather to pray; and they gather to study the Word (Bible) to become better acquainted with God and His will for our lives. They support one another materially and through prayer. They participate in the ordnances set forth by Christ; baptism and communion. They meet the needs of widows and the poor. The first century church usually met in a home; they were almost communal in how they ministered one to another. The “pastor,” also known as an elder or bishop, was the “spiritual leader.” He wasn’t a dictator making rules, but rather sharing God’s Word and helping to discern what it says. He was appointed by God and not a hireling; a true man of God that is rarely found in today’s modern church.
A study of the Bible is quite revealing what the first century church was like. Today’s churches are nothing like that. Even the most conservative have strayed from the original model. They are more like Sunday social clubs with music that entertains, skits, and a congregation that sits for however long the show is. The leadership tend to be “rulers;” or better put, CEO’s. The office of pastor is taken lightly when compared to the original model. Oh, I know many pastors who have a very reverent regard for the office, but they still do not have the kind of commitment and regard for the position as they should. That is something I came to terms with many years ago. I am trained, have the education, and experience, but I had no business holding the office. It was a head rush for me to be called “Pastor.” I resigned and repented, because the office of bishop is a solemn calling ordained by God. The one in that position has the responsibility to lead God’s people and pronounce His Word. The position of a pastor is a unique one; it’s both a leader and a servant. No other position is like that. It means the same as “shepherd.” The shepherd leads the sheep, but he also serves the sheep. There are many shepherds that do one or the other, or in some cases just drive the sheep. I’ve encountered each situation over the years. It IS a special calling of God to be a Pastor, because one has to be obedient to the true nature of the calling.
So, why should I go to church? The answer is simple, because God says so; however, He did not use those words. He said in His Word, “. . . not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” God wants us to gather as a body, but I do not believe in the manner we see today.
As for me, I have strong views on the “modern, organized church.” I’d rather attend a home-church where they do it like the 1st Century Church than some modern church where they have a few songs, an offering, a message that is 30-minutes long, and an altar-call. It’s pretty much the same in just about every Christian church in the world. I’d rather gather with a handful of people in my living room to study the Bible, truly praise the Living God, and minister as mandated than sit through an hour-and-a-half show at some mega church or a preformatted liturgical program in some smaller church that does it that way “because they always have.” None of that is what Church is.
Still, to those who don’t know Christ, it won’t matter. The nonbeliever goes, gets entertained, and might hear the Word to the point of salvation; but then what? Will they truly know what church is; not the traditions, not the music, not the puppet shows, but what Christ set forth when he said, “"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” That is what church is; those who have been discipled and baptized ARE the church.
To begin with, church is NOT for the unbeliever; it is not a social club; it is not a building; it is not Sunday entertainment. Church, as found in the Bible, are the people; those who know Jesus as Lord and Savior. I have studied the Bible from cover to cover and have yet to find anything mandating, ordaining, or instructing believers to do what we see in today’s “modern church.” However, I’ll get to that in a minute. Allow me to continue.
A few years ago I had a horrific experience in a church at the hands of “Christ-loving Christians.” That is when I started to study what church was in the first century and what it should be today. I’ll save that experience for another time and date except to say that what they did to me had no biblical support. The Bible should not be viewed as a book of rules, but rather a guidebook; an “owner’s manual on life” if you will. Those people at that church totally disregarded what it had to say and “conducted church on their terms.”
So, what is church; or rather, what should it be? I believe that we, as mere mortals, have tried to make it something to please us and not God. To begin with, it’s a gathering of like-minded believers joined in “one Spirit.” They gather to worship God; they gather to pray; and they gather to study the Word (Bible) to become better acquainted with God and His will for our lives. They support one another materially and through prayer. They participate in the ordnances set forth by Christ; baptism and communion. They meet the needs of widows and the poor. The first century church usually met in a home; they were almost communal in how they ministered one to another. The “pastor,” also known as an elder or bishop, was the “spiritual leader.” He wasn’t a dictator making rules, but rather sharing God’s Word and helping to discern what it says. He was appointed by God and not a hireling; a true man of God that is rarely found in today’s modern church.
A study of the Bible is quite revealing what the first century church was like. Today’s churches are nothing like that. Even the most conservative have strayed from the original model. They are more like Sunday social clubs with music that entertains, skits, and a congregation that sits for however long the show is. The leadership tend to be “rulers;” or better put, CEO’s. The office of pastor is taken lightly when compared to the original model. Oh, I know many pastors who have a very reverent regard for the office, but they still do not have the kind of commitment and regard for the position as they should. That is something I came to terms with many years ago. I am trained, have the education, and experience, but I had no business holding the office. It was a head rush for me to be called “Pastor.” I resigned and repented, because the office of bishop is a solemn calling ordained by God. The one in that position has the responsibility to lead God’s people and pronounce His Word. The position of a pastor is a unique one; it’s both a leader and a servant. No other position is like that. It means the same as “shepherd.” The shepherd leads the sheep, but he also serves the sheep. There are many shepherds that do one or the other, or in some cases just drive the sheep. I’ve encountered each situation over the years. It IS a special calling of God to be a Pastor, because one has to be obedient to the true nature of the calling.
So, why should I go to church? The answer is simple, because God says so; however, He did not use those words. He said in His Word, “. . . not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” God wants us to gather as a body, but I do not believe in the manner we see today.
As for me, I have strong views on the “modern, organized church.” I’d rather attend a home-church where they do it like the 1st Century Church than some modern church where they have a few songs, an offering, a message that is 30-minutes long, and an altar-call. It’s pretty much the same in just about every Christian church in the world. I’d rather gather with a handful of people in my living room to study the Bible, truly praise the Living God, and minister as mandated than sit through an hour-and-a-half show at some mega church or a preformatted liturgical program in some smaller church that does it that way “because they always have.” None of that is what Church is.
Still, to those who don’t know Christ, it won’t matter. The nonbeliever goes, gets entertained, and might hear the Word to the point of salvation; but then what? Will they truly know what church is; not the traditions, not the music, not the puppet shows, but what Christ set forth when he said, “"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” That is what church is; those who have been discipled and baptized ARE the church.
