Joining a church

[Guest Biblicist]

Exactly, I will never be a member of a church because I am totally against denominationalism.

The problem can only be fixed from within

True dat!

[ColleenLovesMischief]

LOL come on. Non Demoninational is a demonination all its own.

Damo---------Home churches are not common around here. I have only known of 2 in my 31 years of life.

[Guest Biblicist]

LOL come on. Non Demoninational is a demonination all its own.

Damo---------Home churches are not common around here. I have only known of 2 in my 31 years of life.

I have heard that before, but I am not quite certain what it means.

[ColleenLovesMischief]

LOL come on. Non Demoninational is a demonination all its own.

Damo---------Home churches are not common around here. I have only known of 2 in my 31 years of life.

I have heard that before, but I am not quite certain what it means.

Wikipedia......

In Christianity, the term non-denominational refers to those churches that have not formally aligned themselves with an established denomination, or remain otherwise officially autonomous. This, however, does not preclude an identifiable standard among such congregations. Non-denominational congregations may establish a functional denomination by means of mutual recognition of or accountability to other congregations and leaders with commonly held doctrine, policy and worship without formalizing external direction or oversight in such matters. Some non-denominational churches explicitly reject the idea of a formalized denominational structure as a matter of principle, holding that each congregation must be autonomous.

Non-denominational is generally used to refer to one of two forms of independence: political or theological. That is, the independence may come about because of a religious disagreement or political disagreement. This causes some confusion in understanding. Some churches say they are non-denominational because they have no central headquarters (though they may have affiliations with other congregations.) Other churches say they are non-denominational because their belief structures are unique.

Members of non-denominational churches often consider themselves simply "Christians". However, the acceptance of any particular stance on a doctrine or practice (for example, on baptism), about which there is not general unanimity among churches or professing Christians, may be said to establish a de facto credal identity. In essence, this would mean that each non-denominational church forms its own unofficial "denomination" with a specific set of tenets as defined by the beliefs and practices of its own congregation

Does that help?

[ColleenLovesMischief]

LOL come on. Non Demoninational is a demonination all its own.

Damo---------Home churches are not common around here. I have only known of 2 in my 31 years of life.

Home churches have the same inherent problems of any other church.

Those that start a home church have their set of beliefs and that is what is taught at the church.

There can still be politics and division among the members (or whatever you want to call them).

it is actually easier for false doctrine to be taught as there is a small amount of people involved and less to point it out, if they even know it is wrong.

There is no perfect church, waiting to join a church till you find the perfect one is like waiting till you are sin free to become a Christian, IMHO

Who said they were waiting to find a perfect church? I am waiting to be able to afford to go to (gasoline reasons) a scripturally sound church. There are 2 little churches here in this tiny town I live in. Both like to leave many things out of thier teaching. That and I prefer very small group settings (mental reasons). How is that looking for a perfect church. I would like to find a semi-local body to attend with. For me to join there has to be a really good reason.

[Floatingaxe]

I would venture to say that if there is no good bible believeing church in the city where one lives--then one needs to move to a place where one can be found. It is that important, membership or not. Eternally inportant.

[ColleenLovesMischief]

I would venture to say that if there is no good bible believeing church in the city where one lives--then one needs to move to a place where one can be found. It is that important, membership or not. Eternally inportant.

No money to move either. And I prefer to keep my kids where they are. Practically no crime, and most of the kids here turn out pretty good. And what are you calling a city. This town has a population of 75 (probably includes pets) if that many. Since I am still tied into a 12 year loan on my house there is no possible way I could even move. Since the housing market is so bad even if I could sell it I wouldn't get what I paid out of it (only $20,000). Moving just to find a church and making life unstable to your kids seems kinda nuts to me.

[Floatingaxe]

I would venture to say that if there is no good bible believeing church in the city where one lives--then one needs to move to a place where one can be found. It is that important, membership or not. Eternally inportant.

No money to move either. And I prefer to keep my kids where they are. Practically no crime, and most of the kids here turn out pretty good. And what are you calling a city. This town has a population of 75 (probably includes pets) if that many. Since I am still tied into a 12 year loan on my house there is no possible way I could even move. Since the housing market is so bad even if I could sell it I wouldn't get what I paid out of it (only $20,000). Moving just to find a church and making life unstable to your kids seems kinda nuts to me.

It isn't nuts at all. God would bless it the same way He would bless a family whose husband received an offer to an incredible job, but it led them away from their town and their church, but he turned it down. That is faith devotion in action.

A starving person goes where there is food.

[Ddavid from NC]

I think we need to remember the word "requirement" when reading the Old Testament, and remember the word "desire" when reading the New Testament. The Church is a New Testament event. So the reality of our faith is judged by our new desires. I don't have to go to church, I get to go to church. I don't have to read my Bible and pray, I get to read my Bible and pray. Why because I now want to! His law is now written on my heart, just as Jesus said it would be with the new covenant. So, if someone doesn't want close personal relationships of interdependence and accountability with the Body of Christ. What's up?

[Floatingaxe]

I think we need to remember the word "requirement" when reading the Old Testament, and remember the word "desire" when reading the New Testament. The Church is a New Testament event. So the reality of our faith is judged by our new desires. I don't have to go to church, I get to go to church. I don't have to read my Bible and pray, I get to read my Bible and pray. Why because I now want to! His law is now written on my heart, just as Jesus said it would be with the new covenant. So, if someone doesn't want close personal relationships of interdependence and accountability with the Body of Christ. What's up?