The Solitary Christian

[chavh]

I am an un-churched Christian. One of a million (or more)

 

I have some favorite churches in my area and I go to one in particular, but every time I want to jump in, get plugged in,  the Lord is stops me.

 

Before I go on let me say that I have been a born again Christian for 33 years, I am a bible college graduate, I attended church faithfully, was part of the ministry team, and did all things are were fitting and proper. And then one day God called me out into the wilderness. He has given me a mission of reaching his people who are floundering, without a church, without direction. To point them back into fellowship and congregation, and also to help them out of the pit they have found themselves in.  I am not a pastor, don't pretend to be a pastor and I am not gathering a flock....I always commend them on to a church.

 

 

"A rock in the river" as God described it to me, to be an obstacle for some on their headlong run to the waterfalls edge, and a hand hold for others....to help them out of the river, and back on the dry shore. Which is why I call myself Riverwalker and my ministry The River's Edge.

 

 

There is a boatload of floundering Christians.  Hurt or afraid of church, loving God but feeling dry empty and uncertain. In need of hope.

 

I know the value of church...I love going to church, I love the corporate praise most of all, and I miss it. And yet it is not what God has called me to. He has called me to the wilderness.

 

This of course seems contrary to our instructions not to forsake the gathering of ourselves together, and yet after many years of soul searching and despite my desire to be in church, this rock, is where I am called. Like John the Baptist whose pulpit was a rock in the river or Moses atop Mount Nebo watching the children of God entering the promised land.

 

I guess I am just looking for your guys opinion on this, to gain a little more insight into what I know to be true.

 

I am open to any and all thoughts.

 

This is in response to original post.  Sorry if you've already answered this, but what is your situation with communion?

[The_Patriot21]

question is, if the church is the bride of Christ, and we are told not to forsake the fellowship, would God really stop you? Why would God stop you from doing what He told you to do in the first place? food for thought.

[jezikiah]

 

 

 

I have some favorite churches in my area and I go to one in particular, but every time I want to jump in, get plugged in,  the Lord is stops me.

 

 

You're certain the Lord is stopping you?  

 

I guess I don't understand how that could *possibly* be beneficial to your walk, or why God would do that.  

 

I would think the Lord would direct you to at least one church to founded in. He still use you to reach the un churched and guide them to a church, But i personally would think he would guide you to a person church for your own growth. 

[Raven]

Hello Riverwalker.

I understand where you are coming from, and where you are going. I too have become a solitary Christian - a hermit you could say.

 

I prefer this lifestyle because I experience more quality time with my daily prayer and meditation in communion with God. My spiritual light stays bright.

Most people who belong to a group conform to that group. Conformity can be a powerful fear-based mindset that I am very sensitive too.

Church members, as a whole, are not immune to conformity. Whenever I hold onto a truth, which opposes conformity, I become the outsider.

As a result, in the past, I either become segregated, abandoned, or I left the church or denomination on my own accord.

These days, I still go to church but as an anonymous member. (I am seen but not seen).

Ever since becoming a hermit, my love for God is both immense and prolonged. It suits my personality.

[1to3]

Do we sometimes forget that a church is a group of people who may or may not be having a close walk with the Lord? Not all are humble, not all are forgiving and not all choose to say something in response to a hurtful act or word when taken personally by someone. The church is people not all as "perfect" as we think we are and some feel a greater importance than others. We are human, perhaps not all have come to terms with their own issues and are caustic when spoken to and may speak ill of others and tell to make themselves feel more justified in what they said or did. However though hurt or ill spoken of we know that we are told to turn the other cheek. We are all human and not yet perfect though some may think so.

Why do we go to church...to worship to sing and fellowship...perhaps WE are falling down as Christians when we hear or see someone who has been hurt by another when we do not put our "arms" around the one who has been hurt and ready to turn away and be the BALM we should be. WE are the redeemed are we falling down at our task by not quieting rough waters and soothing the troubled soul and are WE the cause of people not attending church?

That was really well put.

 

 

Hello Riverwalker.

I understand where you are coming from, and where you are going. I too have become a solitary Christian - a hermit you could say.

 

I prefer this lifestyle because I experience more quality time with my daily prayer and meditation in communion with God. My spiritual light stays bright.

Most people who belong to a group conform to that group. Conformity can be a powerful fear-based mindset that I am very sensitive too.

Church members, as a whole, are not immune to conformity. Whenever I hold onto a truth, which opposes conformity, I become the outsider.

As a result, in the past, I either become segregated, abandoned, or I left the church or denomination on my own accord.

These days, I still go to church but as an anonymous member. (I am seen but not seen).

Ever since becoming a hermit, my love for God is both immense and prolonged. It suits my personality.

Living now in the country, I am not near any close bible believing churches.

I get a lot from christian radio, a few christian ministries that I can also go to online,

Thank God for those, they have been such a blessing to be able to have daily in my life.

 

I keep in touch with a few christian friends that I have made but going to church on a regular basis for now is not happening.

I live to far away and the places that I have tried to make the commitment of going to where just not where God was calling me to be.

 

And when I read how people talk to one another even on a christian site of all places... sometimes with little christian consideration in the use of some of the words used...or showing loving kindness to hurting hearts who are looking to SEE Christ in our manner to one another? ... Oh yes we are all sinners, but is that not why Christ came to give us a new heart? a heart of Christ?

When you know better

and understand the difference

you do better.

 

And when I read such topics as "dress code, hair code," when going to church,.....no even the queen would seem suitable to attend for some, as she wears her hair short.

 Aww, to find a church or place where Christ is live and can be found in the people ... are my hopes...

He lives in me and that is my greatest peace, joy and hope.

 

God is not confined to a church.

 

The temple of God should be found and be in us all the time.

God is not confined between walls.

We are called to be lights shining out in this dark world.

To show love to one another in all walks of life.

 

 

Yes is is GOOD and important to have a place to hear the gospel spoken, to be able to sing praises to God, to communicate with other Christians and be a Christ shinning light to a new comer as well as others.

 

But for now, for me, to regularly physically be going to a bible believing church is not possible, but is does not prevent me or keep me

from being close to God, my Lord and Savior Christ Jesus on a daily basis

Edited April 20, 2015 by 1to3

[Estrella]

Oh dear some of your experience are so sad. Its gross that some pastors destroy n devour his flock rather than be Christ-like. I had a tiny experience where a new pastor cynically laughed at another pastor many years ago. I had reservations over him then. Anyway, I have recently got a church after some time. Since I x have any christian friends from where I live, I always long to be together with the body of Christ.

[RustyAngeL]

I never ceased to be amazed by those who think they are just too spiritual to be part of a local church...

Maybe it's just me  but I find your comment to be very judgmental. I don't recall Riverwalker ever saying he was to spiritual to be part of a local church.  Just my opinion.

[manofGod]

I found myself in debate with other professing Christians about many serious topics.I question God during this time as to what he wanted from me.I begin a personal study to explore what God's Will was in my life.at the time God use this following scriptures to point me in his direction.isaiah chapter 5 verse 8 and in Galatians chapter 1 Paul is adamant about expressing to us that after his conversion he spent no time being discipled by the apostles but stayed away from the church and was indoctrinated and taught by God alone.

The problem with building house to house is that once unsound doctrine enters the congregation, everyone is effected by its poison. Mainstream Christianity is polluted and venomous just like Paul warned us it would be. A true christian today is considered an extremist. Many of us readily admit the end is close but we hold dear to our polluted fellowships as if we don't want to acknowledge the prophecies about the synagogue of Satan that has replaced true faith. Too many of us aren't taught by God anymore because there's these churches that define and interpret the word for us. Ask yourself people....what if this is true and Jesus was an extremist and totally opposite of what some pastors and christian movements want us to believe? Christianity through the help of theologians, scholars, and "great men of faith" has evolved. And evolution and change may be the natural order for the physical realm we reside in, its not the way of God and truth. God does not change and there's no scripture that tells us our faith is evolving into something better.in fact it says the opposite. We are living in the end of days and as prophesied by Paul continually, the church of God has been infiltrated and over run by lies and deception.

[manofGod]

Glory to God for its by Him alone we can discuss the most powerful truths in existence.

Edited April 30, 2015 by manofGod

[Raven]

I found myself in debate with other professing Christians about many serious topics.I question God during this time as to what he wanted from me.I begin a personal study to explore what God's Will was in my life.at the time God use this following scriptures to point me in his direction.isaiah chapter 5 verse 8 and in Galatians chapter 1 Paul is adamant about expressing to us that after his conversion he spent no time being discipled by the apostles but stayed away from the church and was indoctrinated and taught by God alone.

The problem with building house to house is that once unsound doctrine enters the congregation, everyone is effected by its poison. Mainstream Christianity is polluted and venomous just like Paul warned us it would be. A true christian today is considered an extremist. Many of us readily admit the end is close but we hold dear to our polluted fellowships as if we don't want to acknowledge the prophecies about the synagogue of Satan that has replaced true faith. Too many of us aren't taught by God anymore because there's these churches that define and interpret the word for us. Ask yourself people....what if this is true and Jesus was an extremist and totally opposite of what some pastors and christian movements want us to believe? Christianity through the help of theologians, scholars, and "great men of faith" has evolved. And evolution and change may be the natural order for the physical realm we reside in, its not the way of God and truth. God does not change and there's no scripture that tells us our faith is evolving into something better.in fact it says the opposite. We are living in the end of days and as prophesied by Paul continually, the church of God has been infiltrated and over run by lies and deception.

Glory to God for its by Him alone we can discuss the most powerful truths in existence.

Hello manofGod.

I can relate to what you posted. Take heart that God and Jesus Christ loves those who love the Word, the truth, the way and the life.

To me, forums are like churches. Non are perfect. In Revelations 2-3, Jesus judges the seven types of churches and non of them were in favor. However Jesus instructs the individual (he who has an ear...) on how to overcome the church's shortcomings/defects of character. In other words, total conformity to a church is discouraged, but total conformity to the Truth is encouraged.