I am looking for a body of followers of Christ to join. Does anyone know of one?

[other one]

1 hour ago, αγάπη said:

If you don't mind me asking, what are the couple of things that keep you from becoming official members?

I am in Louisville, Kentucky. Thank you for responding! 😊

I'll PM you.

[Neighbor]

Just a note, the local body of Christ Jesus that we fellowship with cannot be joined. There are no members.

We just gather, if one wants to fellowship they can be with the gathered group as much as they may desire.

There is no membership roll, no pledges, no  tithing demands, no one taking attendance of Sunday school classes nor of the several home group studies.

Yet  it seems many are being called to come evidently by the Holy Spirit. We absolutely are aware that we were called. When we fellowship we each are amazed at the sojourn that has led us all to be coming to gather at this one little place.

[farouk]

11 minutes ago, Neighbor said:

Just a note, the local body of Christ Jesus that we fellowship with cannot be joined. There are no members.

We just gather, if one wants to fellowship they can be with the gathered group as much as they may desire.

There is no membership roll, no pledges, no  tithing demands, no one taking attendance of Sunday school classes nor of the several home group studies.

Yet  it seems many are being called to come evidently by the Holy Spirit. We absolutely are aware that we were called. When we fellowship we each are amazed at the sojourn that has led us all to be coming to gather at this one little place.

Hi @Neighbor Do you practise the Lord's Supper? if so, are there any criteria as to who participates? No need to be specific; but I was just thinking that membership does not need to be formalized, although a basic practice such as the Lord Supper or baptism does have basic assumptions surrounding it.

[Vine Abider]

1 hour ago, Neighbor said:

Just a note, the local body of Christ Jesus that we fellowship with cannot be joined. There are no members.

We just gather, if one wants to fellowship they can be with the gathered group as much as they may desire.

There is no membership roll, no pledges, no  tithing demands, no one taking attendance of Sunday school classes nor of the several home group studies.

Yet  it seems many are being called to come evidently by the Holy Spirit. We absolutely are aware that we were called. When we fellowship we each are amazed at the sojourn that has led us all to be coming to gather at this one little place.

Just curious, have you read, "The Pilgrim Church" by Broadbent?

[Vine Abider]

On 1/8/2023 at 4:47 PM, Neighbor said:

Ya know, I am going to chance recommending you include in your prayerful searching the local Body of Christ Jesus there  associated with Calvary Chapels. Some are pretty good as local entities, some well maybe not quite so equally blessed.

Here is a website connection along with a sampling sermon  https://calvarychapellouisville.com

I concur regarding the Calvary Chapels.  When we are traveling I look to see if there is one of those near by.  As @Neighbor pointed out, usually pretty good/pure in my estimation, and there is a spark of life there (at least one's I've visited).

[Neighbor]

3 hours ago, farouk said:

Hi @Neighbor Do you practise the Lord's Supper? if so, are there any criteria as to who participates? No need to be specific; but I was just thinking that membership does not need to be formalized, although a basic practice such as the Lord Supper or baptism does have basic assumptions surrounding it.

Yes those that desire to and are present at worship service do partake of Lord's Supper. Plus I have participated from home and on the road  via internet. The criteria is  any that are willing and moved of the Spirit to "Do this in remembrance of me.”

Added: May I add that none are worthy to partake, so there is no need of an authoritarian permission or blessing  to remember our Lord till his return. Partaking is done in  memorial of He who is worthy, and is done in a worthily manner.

That manner is not attained  by ritual rules of sects, but by the indwelling Holy Spirit whom Jesus has left as my comforter.

[Neighbor]

5 hours ago, Neighbor said:

Added: May I add that none are worthy to partake, so there is no need of an authoritarian permission or blessing  to remember our Lord till his return. Partaking is done in  memorial of He who is worthy, and is done in a worthily manner.

That manner is not attained  by ritual rules of sects, but by the indwelling Holy Spirit whom Jesus has left as my comforter.

That was worded rather poorly by me.

What I was tying to express is that the rituals adopted by some bodies that divide people into camps those that are worthy and those that are unworthy of participation are errant in that particular code or doctrine.(Obviously that is my opinion) For all are unworthy  period; and yet all that will (do so) can participate in a worthily manner. It is a simple memorial made complex by too many for what purposes I don't know. It is not like it is a secret handshake- it is a remembrance, an expression of the  hope certain that our Lord will once again partake in with His bride at his return.  Just as I do not have need of priests between me and Him I also do not have need of man's ordinances  between me and my remembrance of my Lord.

[Neighbor]

7 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

Just curious, have you read, "The Pilgrim Church" by Broadbent?

Hi, No I haven't. Care to share something of it? 

[Vine Abider]

10 hours ago, Neighbor said:

Hi, No I haven't. Care to share something of it? 

It's considered by many to be a seminal work.  Broadbent took a deep dive into church history from the 1st century.  He traces those that met as His ekklesia in a simple way from the beginning, apart from the hyper-organized religious organizations around them - often they moved away into mountains and obscure locations.  The common thread through over a thousand years is these ones didn't get involved with the RCC or any organized religion. (often were persecuted by the RCC) They didn't have big leaders.  They looked to scripture alone as their way to worship God and to seek the Lamb in a simple way, with little in the way of outward forms.  Their gatherings were much more participative among all the members - each one had something to contribute.  Different ones would speak as they were lead of the Lord.  I was absolutely memorized by reading this book, which lead me into reading a number of others about the subject.

I'm actually thinking of starting a separate thread on this topic.

[Neighbor]

2 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

I'm actually thinking of starting a separate thread on this topic.

If you do I will appreciate the effort and try to follow along.