Is church attendance required or even essential?

[wingnut-]

I think that the enemy can bring in condemnation subtly.

 

1. That the churches (run by organisations) are the only legitimate churches.

2. That if you don`t go to those churches (run by organisations) then you are sinning.

 

I believe the enemy would have us be divisive `I am of....` & `I am of...` whereas God says -

 

`Let us hold fast the confession of our hope..... let us consider one another in order to stir up love & good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together....` (Heb. 10: 23 - 25)

 

Christ, by His Holy Spirit is saying for us to be encouraging to each other, not divisive, & to gather together to build each other up in the faith. He does NOT say how we are to gather together. We should be focussing on the encouraging to gather, & not being divisive on the mode or type of gathering.

 

One conversation is of the Holy Spirit the other is of the enemy, sowing seeds of condemnation & division.

 

Marilyn.

 

 

Well said sister

[Marilyn C]

Thanks bro. Good to know we are encouraging each other.

 

Blessings, Marilyn.

[Guest shiloh357]

Sorry Marilyn, but I don't see any Churches in the US that are mainstream that are as you describe.   I have never heard anyone say that if you don't go to church you are sinning...    You are missing out on a blessing, but you are not sinning.   I think there are a lot of over-the-top blanket accusations that are extremely embellished and projected on churches. 

[Guest shiloh357]

Hey Firestorm, I would never attend any Rod Parsley affiliated church.  Any church that requires you to submit to a credit check and tax returns is not a true church.  That is a cult.  Rod Parsley is a false teacher if ever there was one.   I would run as far away from any organization like that.

[wingnut-]

Sorry Marilyn, but I don't see any Churches in the US that are mainstream that are as you describe.   I have never heard anyone say that if you don't go to church you are sinning...    You are missing out on a blessing, but you are not sinning.   I think there are a lot of over-the-top blanket accusations that are extremely embellished and projected on churches. 

 

 

Shiloh, someone said that very thing right here in this thread lol.

[ayin jade]

 

Churches requiring a credit check???  Having to submit tax returns to be a member?? That doesn't sound like a church.  That sounds like a cult.   What kind of churches are these in NC??

Most churches do this now here in NC. The first church in my area I know 100% for sure did it ( and I'm pretty sure they were the first in my area ) was a Rod parsley affiliated church. After they started requiring credit checks, and tax papers for church membership it spread to other churches. It's everywhere, almost all churches. Not every one, but most. It's no different then when 1 church down here started up and had A bishop, apostles and multiple prophets in the church and now almost every church has bishop, apostles and prophets in them. It's all most a joke with me and my Christian friends here that with all the prophets, Apostles and bishops in this town it's a wonder everyone isn't saved. I don't kniow what it's like where you are, but Butero was very accurate about churches here in North Carolina in my experience anyways.

 

 

Rod Parsley

 

Wofer church. I am not surprised by that. Wofer churches aka name it claim it churches are definitely not ones I recommend.

[Guest shiloh357]

Wingnut, I am talking about churches.   I said that I have never, ever in 30 + years of being a Christian ever heard anyone teach that if you don't go to church, you are sinning.   There may be individuals who believe that, but the ONLY organizations who make attendance mandatory and make salvation conditional on attendance are cults who try to control people.

[ayin jade]

 

The only denomination I know of that makes membership conditional on giving is the Assemblies of God.

 

Really? I went to a Messianic church affiliated with AoG and never experienced that. Ive been to other Messianic churches affiliated with AoG churches too and never experienced that.

[firestormx]

Hey Firestorm, I would never attend any Rod Parsley affiliated church.  Any church that requires you to submit to a credit check and tax returns is not a true church.  That is a cult.  Rod Parsley is a false teacher if ever there was one.   I would run as far away from any organization like that.

It was like a snowball rolling downhill. When they got here maybe, 15-20 years ago I guess, it all changed ( I first heard about the church in 2001-2002). (Next statement is Personal speculation ) I guess because they were affiliated with a well known ministry is why everyone followed there lead. I don't know why, but I know most did follow there lead.  

 

By the way, I agree with you about his ministry. 

[Guest shiloh357]

Jade,

 

My hometown is the headquarters for the Assemblies of God and around here, you have to sign a card that promises you will tithe.  They keep records and if you stop giving for a couple or three weeks, you will be counseled by a church leader on your lack of giving and you can be dis-fellowshipped from that church  if you refuse to give.  

 

That's unless something has changed that I don't  know about...