God, YES, but church, NO!

[Debbisu]

What shall I do with friends who claim to love God with all their hearts and to belong to Him but deny going to church? I wish I knew what to take them for. I feel concerned because I count them as a part of God

[KeilanS]

What shall I do with friends who claim to love God with all their hearts and to belong to Him but deny going to church? I wish I knew what to take them for. I feel concerned because I count them as a part of God

[tah]

Hi Deb,

I can only share what I believe ..

"The Church" is the "Body of Christ" no matter what the name of it is or who the members are..

as long and they are indeed His...He knows His sheep....

a church can be one of the most fertile breeding grounds for disillusionment and anger and hate and fear and broken hearts and promises and dreams that is on this planet... in my opinion...

We have our ideas of how a "Christian" is supposed to behave and what they are supposed to do and if they don't do it then we automatically say..

Hummm. are they Christians? (guilty as charged..)

Sometimes the answer to that is absolutely "yes" ...they are indeed "mice in the cookie jar"...

but most of the time ( I think) they are just like me...they need to grow up in Christ...

When I was a new Christian I seldom went to church and did that way for many many years..

I was still a Christian... ..just absent from fellowship with others...

and really not growing in Christ ...

Then the Holy Spirit got hold of my heart and the Church or my family in God became very important to me..

And like any family we had many squabbles and power struggles and everything that goes with family...

Sigh...

but you love your family...and pray for all the warts we need healed of...

A lot of water under that proverbial bridge for me and those I know and love even those we have had serious divisive disagreements with ...

Right now I am home bound mostly and only get the church on a rare occasion..

I sorely miss the family and fellowship...

I would say to you if they tell you they are Christians ...they probably are ...

not going to church does not make you disowned in His body...just absent from a whole lot of family blessings... and trouble...!!!

Pray for them that God will speak to their hearts and heal whatever hurt they may have encountered and bring them back into an intimate fellowship with the family they are a part of...

Just love them and look to God to draw them back into fellowship..

[billie]

Well said, Tiro.....

[Candi770]

If you see the fruit of living connected to the vine produced-I would say don't be concerned. The Lord is their shepherd-He will lead and guide them.

blessings

candi

[Tribulation]

Hi Debbisu,

Acts Chapter 2 may be a good place of reference for you, particularly the latter part of the chapter - verses 42-47. The chapter takes a look at the early church.

I've put in bold, a few of the key things to take note of...

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

I believe it is of great importance to attend church - by not attending, they are missing the rich blessings that one can recieve from hearing God's word.

And how do they expect to have a relationship with God - if they never go to his house? They will never grow spiritually.

I will pray for them, I suggest you do or keep doing the same. Take it to the Lord and he will guide you.

Edited August 23, 2006 by Tribulation

[Floatingaxe]

Hi Debbisu,

Acts Chapter 2 may be a good place of reference for you, particularly the latter part of the chapter - verses 42-47. The chapter takes a look at the early church.

I've put in bold, a few of the key things to take note of...

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

I believe it is of great importance to attend church - by not attending, their are missing the rich blessings that one can recieve from hearing God's word.

And how do they expect to have a relationship with God - if they never go to his house? They will never grow spiritually.

I will pray for them, I suggest you do or keep doing the same. Take it to the Lord and he will guide you.

Yep! We are not to be "lone ranger" Christians!

[cjrose]

What shall I do with friends who claim to love God with all their hearts and to belong to Him but deny going to church? I wish I knew what to take them for. I feel concerned because I count them as a part of God

[Smalcald]

What shall I do with friends who claim to love God with all their hearts and to belong to Him but deny going to church? I wish I knew what to take them for. I feel concerned because I count them as a part of God

[Shy Christian]

There are a few things I don't like about my church, including some of the people. I could change churches, but who's to say it will be better anywhere else? I also don't feel comfortable walking into a strange church alone. I've stayed home the last two Sundays and heard better sermons on TV.