Bottom Line: Who's right?

Question

I've got Christians telling me church is a waste of time:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AgxVdj9tf_XlebMlJ4g.S1Dsy6IX?qid=20060823093755AA4gBoK

I've got other Christians telling me not to avoid Christian fellowship:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AiqPEYah01Rj5MF5SRCKWbHsy6IX?qid=20060823094506AApYTye

Can't do both, so who is right?

Answer 1

Good question. Personally it is one with which I have struggled at length. I don't think I can definitively come up with a "right" answer, but here is my pros and cons list.

Cons:

1) The more filters the original message is passed through, the more likely that its power could be diluted or dangerously twisted. Notice that I said "could be". The protection against that is thought to be the work of the Holy Spirit, informing and leading the church in truth.

2) Churches add man-made information to God's revelation of Himself, in the form of creeds, doctrine, membership criteria. These I have found to be a distraction at best and un-Christian at worst.

3) Belonging to a visible church is necessarily inclusive. The feeling of belonging is nice and warm and fuzzy, but those on the outside of the circle are, well, excluded. I don't feel good about a God club.

4) Belonging to a church carries a group identity with it. An organization of any sort portrays a group persona to the public at large and this can never reflect perfectly the beliefs of a thinking individual, so there is self compromise... as though loyalty to a Christian group of any sort is more important than loyalty to one's own deeply held beliefs.

5) Individuals within a church organization may publically profess opinions that do not reflect your own and yet you are assumed to think likewise by virtue of your common affiliation.

6) Sometimes the mission of the church is a distraction from what you believe your mission is... a distraction of time, talents, and resources that might be used differently and in a way that is more in line with what you feel called to be doing in the world.

7) Lots of misinformation mixed in with the true stuff and sometimes difficult to differentiate, especially for certain vulnerable people. I feel children are especially vulnerable as they cannot critically judge information given them in the same way adults can. Careful parents...please take an active role in discussing what they are hearing at church.

Pros:

1) We all understand scripture a bit differently, as we come from different experiences and possess different spiritual gifts. Relying on only oneself to understand the nature of God and our intended relationship with Him is very narrow. We need to hear one another's insights... not just the insights of anyone...the insights of people we know and trust, who we feel confident are being authentic, not trying to trick or deceive purposely.

2) Fellowship allows an avenue for mutual encouragement and removal of stumbling blocks along the path. I highly value those who have been thoughtful and faithful believers for a long time. I listen carefully to what they say (still making up my own mind of course).

3) I do better with tangible evidence in life, generally speaking. So being part of the church universal is great but sometimes I just long for the companionship of others who are similarly-minded (painted in broad strokes), as a visible reminder of God's children, present right here all around me. This is the weakest argument for me- almost a lazy way to meet other people of faith. I have, of necessity, become pretty good at finding people full of grace, faith, and compassion in surprising places...in fact these encounters are almost better in a way when I happen upon them but it takes more effort.

4) I am not the most self disciplined person and there is a certain structure to bible study that is imbedded in church that is helpful for keeping me at my studies.

5) You may find this hard to believe, but as tough as it may be, it is good to have a support group who love you enough to confront you when you start to mess up (and we all do sometimes). Others with the same spiritual focus, who have developed relationships of trust can be very helpful for telling you what you don't want to hear (but really need to hear.)...gently, lovingly of course.

6) Corporate worship is a beautiful thing when entered into with open hearts. Praying together, singing together, taking communion side by side...these are good, good, good things!

7) Working together to bring the good news of the gospel to all the world is biblical. This is one good structure for that.

So I guess that my bottom line at this point in my life is that church has its challenges and must be approached with caution as it is a man-made institution (visible church groupings, as opposed to the church universal which is the bride of Christ).
And I am suspicious of membership, but find fellowship, corporate worship, and group bible study to be very good.

Peace and grace to you, friend.

Answer 2

They both may be right. Church, especially church services, with their audience/spectator orientation actually hinder the kind of community that "church" is supposed to be like. So from that perspective, modern church "services" are not only a waste of time, but are harmful to the community of believers.

Just because you avoid church services, doesn't mean you should avoid "Christian fellowship." Small groups are where church is. Large auditoriums where people play music, give inspirational speeches (sermons), sing, and generally perform for an audience contradicts the very meaning of church.

Engage in a small group, whether a Bible Study or Sunday School class. As for attending church services - if the spirit moves you.

Answer 3

I can not tell you what you need to do. I know some awesome Christians that do not go to church..going to church is not going to save you..it doesn't make you a better Christian just because you attend church..because there are alot of hypocrites there, as well as everywhere else..being a Christian has to be a personal relationship between you and God...not you and the church, or you and the preacher..you and God.

Answer 4

it really is exciting to imagine about such issues as that, yet like the superb article mentions, my marriage, and my function in it, and the function my husband performs, are all those issues, and more desirable. After just about 20 years, more desirable than 19 of that married, I easily have realized some issues about marriage. i have easily realized very a lot, yet I gained't bore you with each and each of the pieces i have realized, except for one. Marriage isn't about one or 5 or 9 15-minute exchanges that are analyzed through a scientist. it really is no longer about kinds of companions. it really is about the middle. And the middle might want to be neither qualified nor quantified. to quite believe in the different case is both folly or hubris. i imagine it really is stupid to assert that folk would besides no longer get married. I easily have considered the most unbelievable marriages workout habitual basically effective. Are they marriages which I evaluate "universal"? it would not remember. What concerns is that it fairly works for each and each of the folk in touch--it satisfies their needs, makes them satisfied, provides each and each of them a probability to love and be loved, enables them improve. at the same time as it does all those issues, without inclusive of abuse, or different unlawful acts, then that is, in my estimation, a sturdy marriage, and no individual has the right to assert in the different case. Marriage is, and continuously will be, a benign sort of folie a deux. in case you fairly intend to make it artwork, you ought to offer up your self, and create that loopy international in which both of you may comfortably stay. I actual can not see any opposite direction of creating it. i'm afraid i won't be able to grant you with a concrete party of a relationship. i visit basically restate what I reported previously. Marriage is about the middle, like love, or worry, or want, or pettiness, and the middle won't be able to be quantified or qualified through numbers. And in my opinion, i'd not want it to be any opposite direction.

Answer 5

In some translations -
You are the temple of God - he resides in your heart.
Do not worship false idols or build temples of worship.

So don't go - you would be defing God's word.

On the other hand -

Most God religons state that you must be guided to God & that only the initiate can communicate with God.
That would suggest that you must go to a church & speak to someone who can talk to God.

I personally think that what you beleive is deep inside you & you are made in the image of God in your religon. Therefore - if you are the image of God & the temple of God is you - then you only need to search within yourself to find God.

Not to mention that - it has been proven that the church senario has been created by a Roman to fund his lavish lifestyle...So if you wish to support someone elses lavish lifestyle - go to church & tithe like your supposed to - otherwise you must create your relationship with your God in a way that appeals to you.

Answer 6

I think it would depend on the church you went to..
Joyce Meyer speaks on this. Perhaps you would be willing to ask her.. joycemeyer.org

and having other Christians to be supportive of you, and your questions-quest-input, is important.. mind you, being supportive doesn't always mean agreeing with you.

joycemeyer.org
jdm.org
tdjakes.org

This is something you should take up with our Lord.. and have Him help you understand the logic behind both answers.

Answer 7

I dont think Church is a waste of time I go to a great Church. As long as they preach the Bible, thats what matters.

Do you believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins?
Did you ask God for forgivness for these sins?
This is what matters!
Everything else can be discuissed

Answer 8

What does the Bible say?
Hebrews 10:25
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Answer 9

We've seen the biblical backup for not avoiding Christian fellowship(Heb 10:25)... show me the biblical backup for not going to church?

Answer 10

Well personally...I think church is an amazing thing
I'm a christian...it gives you something true to believe to help you through this hard life...so i say don't avoid it