Joining a church

[Floatingaxe]

My pastor said that whoever is looking for the perfect church to join, as soon as he finds one and joins, it isn't perfect anymore! There isn't any perfect church, but if you find yourself a good one--there should be nothing to stop you from fully stepping into membership. It's a consummation...and it's good for you and good for the church.

Who said they were looking for the perfect church?

Also....what about those who have trouble when around a lot of people?

Agoraphobia? Is that a suggestion that the avoidance of people is a good reason to avoid church altogether? That is a deliverance issue, and a good church is going to lovingly provide it. There isn't an excuse to avoid what God has provided for us to do.

[ColleenLovesMischief]

My pastor said that whoever is looking for the perfect church to join, as soon as he finds one and joins, it isn't perfect anymore! There isn't any perfect church, but if you find yourself a good one--there should be nothing to stop you from fully stepping into membership. It's a consummation...and it's good for you and good for the church.

Who said they were looking for the perfect church?

Also....what about those who have trouble when around a lot of people?

Agoraphobia? Is that a suggestion that the avoidance of people is a good reason to avoid church altogether? That is a deliverance issue, and a good church is going to lovingly provide it. There isn't an excuse to avoid what God has provided for us to do.

Nope side affect of being bi polar. There are just times I am not safe to be out. The more people I am around the worse I get with panic. Deliverence was tried regarding it many yrs ago. It is a true brain chemical problem that they cannot find a med to counter. Lucky me I get to live with it as best I can. I am very paranoid of others. I live most of my life home with my kids. Rarely I go out with my mom.

[Guest Butero]

Looks like its my turn for a topic ....

This came up in the baptism thread. So Im curious. Do you think a Christian must join a church? I am using church defined as a building or local group of believers who meet regularly in a building and have some formal declaration of being a congregation. Please use scripture in your answer when possible.

The Bible tells us not to forsake the assembling ourselves together, but it doesn't specify the need to be a member of a local church body. We are assembling ourselves together at Worthy Boards. At the time when the Bible was written, I don't believe they had formal assemblies like they do today. There were people in each city that were Christians, and they would come together to hear the Word of God. Often times, these were outdoor meetings, and sometimes, people would meet in houses. In some ways, the system we have today with gazillions of churches, with a handful of people, has been a hinderance in spreading the gospel. The overhead is so great, most of the resources are tied up in upkeep, utilities and salaries. That is not to say there are not some churches doing great things for God, but most are not reaching anyone outside their 4 walls. The only church we must join in my opinion is God's church, and the only roll we must be on to be saved is the one in the Lamb's book of life.

I am fine with joining and being part of a local church, but I don't believe it is necessary to be saved, and if the church is not standing up for Biblical truth, it is doing more harm than good to those who are part of it.

[Guest Biblicist]

My pastor said that whoever is looking for the perfect church to join, as soon as he finds one and joins, it isn't perfect anymore! There isn't any perfect church, but if you find yourself a good one--there should be nothing to stop you from fully stepping into membership. It's a consummation...and it's good for you and good for the church.

Who said they were looking for the perfect church?

Also....what about those who have trouble when around a lot of people?

Agoraphobia? Is that a suggestion that the avoidance of people is a good reason to avoid church altogether? That is a deliverance issue, and a good church is going to lovingly provide it. There isn't an excuse to avoid what God has provided for us to do.

Nope side affect of being bi polar. There are just times I am not safe to be out. The more people I am around the worse I get with panic. Deliverence was tried regarding it many yrs ago. It is a true brain chemical problem that they cannot find a med to counter. Lucky me I get to live with it as best I can. I am very paranoid of others. I live most of my life home with my kids. Rarely I go out with my mom.

Try getting some more fruits in your diet, and especially the Acai berry. Helped my bi-polar mother.

[Guest Butero]

I know that it isn't true that most denominations are apostate. Picking and choosing what one believes and holds to it as a reason not to join any church is pride, and unsubmissiveness to the Word and His shepherds who are set in by God Himself to teach truth.

This is an interesting position you are taking, so I would like to ask you a few questions.

1. Is it your position that every Pastor of every church is there because God set them up in that place?

2. If you were living in a town with only one church, and it was a church that teaches that women must remain silent, and cannot hold any positions of authority, would you be part of that church, and would you submit to the teachings of that church?

3. How do you pick and choose what you believe? Don't you just believe what you believe?

[Floatingaxe]

I know that it isn't true that most denominations are apostate. Picking and choosing what one believes and holds to it as a reason not to join any church is pride, and unsubmissiveness to the Word and His shepherds who are set in by God Himself to teach truth.

This is an interesting position you are taking, so I would like to ask you a few questions.

1. Is it your position that every Pastor of every church is there because God set them up in that place?

In good, growing, bible-believing, Spirit-filled churches, yes. However, that doesn't mean that some servants of the Lord are not there out of selfish ambition. Been there, seen that.

2. If you were living in a town with only one church, and it was a church that teaches that women must remain silent, and cannot hold any positions of authority, would you be part of that church, and would you submit to the teachings of that church?

I would look out of town for a church that teaches the truth. If we had to move to find a church that teaches truth, then we would do so.

3. How do you pick and choose what you believe? Don't you just believe what you believe?

No. I believe what the Word says, as read by me, and as taught by Godly teachers, and all as the Holy Spirit confirms it to my heart.

[Guest Butero]

I know that it isn't true that most denominations are apostate. Picking and choosing what one believes and holds to it as a reason not to join any church is pride, and unsubmissiveness to the Word and His shepherds who are set in by God Himself to teach truth.

This is an interesting position you are taking, so I would like to ask you a few questions.

1. Is it your position that every Pastor of every church is there because God set them up in that place?

In good, growing, bible-believing, Spirit-filled churches, yes. However, that doesn't mean that some servants of the Lord are not there out of selfish ambition. Been there, seen that.

2. If you were living in a town with only one church, and it was a church that teaches that women must remain silent, and cannot hold any positions of authority, would you be part of that church, and would you submit to the teachings of that church?

I would look out of town for a church that teaches the truth. If we had to move to find a church that teaches truth, then we would do so.

3. How do you pick and choose what you believe? Don't you just believe what you believe?

No. I believe what the Word says, as read by me, and as taught by Godly teachers, and all as the Holy Spirit confirms it to my heart.

Thanks for your response. I do have one more question for you based on your answers. In your original comment, you stated, "Picking and choosing what one believes and holds to as a reason not to join any church is pride..." If you would refuse to join the church I described because of your personal beliefs, doesn't that make you prideful based on your own standard? If not, explain why?

[Floatingaxe]

I know that it isn't true that most denominations are apostate. Picking and choosing what one believes and holds to it as a reason not to join any church is pride, and unsubmissiveness to the Word and His shepherds who are set in by God Himself to teach truth.

This is an interesting position you are taking, so I would like to ask you a few questions.

1. Is it your position that every Pastor of every church is there because God set them up in that place?

In good, growing, bible-believing, Spirit-filled churches, yes. However, that doesn't mean that some servants of the Lord are not there out of selfish ambition. Been there, seen that.

2. If you were living in a town with only one church, and it was a church that teaches that women must remain silent, and cannot hold any positions of authority, would you be part of that church, and would you submit to the teachings of that church?

I would look out of town for a church that teaches the truth. If we had to move to find a church that teaches truth, then we would do so.

3. How do you pick and choose what you believe? Don't you just believe what you believe?

No. I believe what the Word says, as read by me, and as taught by Godly teachers, and all as the Holy Spirit confirms it to my heart.

Thanks for your response. I do have one more question for you based on your answers. In your original comment, you stated, "Picking and choosing what one believes and holds to as a reason not to join any church is pride..." If you would refuse to join the church I described because of your personal beliefs, doesn't that make you prideful based on your own standard? If not, explain why?

It isn't pride that should prevent one from joining churches. It is wisdom that should seek whether one should or shouldn't join one's life to a particular body of believers. It is error to teach what you have described. I would run from any body that holds that exaggerated belief. The Holy Spirit directs our footsteps--he leads us to our shepherds as He promises.

We ask God to show us where we should go, and we allow Him to lead us. He will always lead us to places where He wants us to become planted firmly and stay.

[Guest Butero]

I know that it isn't true that most denominations are apostate. Picking and choosing what one believes and holds to it as a reason not to join any church is pride, and unsubmissiveness to the Word and His shepherds who are set in by God Himself to teach truth.

This is an interesting position you are taking, so I would like to ask you a few questions.

1. Is it your position that every Pastor of every church is there because God set them up in that place?

In good, growing, bible-believing, Spirit-filled churches, yes. However, that doesn't mean that some servants of the Lord are not there out of selfish ambition. Been there, seen that.

2. If you were living in a town with only one church, and it was a church that teaches that women must remain silent, and cannot hold any positions of authority, would you be part of that church, and would you submit to the teachings of that church?

I would look out of town for a church that teaches the truth. If we had to move to find a church that teaches truth, then we would do so.

3. How do you pick and choose what you believe? Don't you just believe what you believe?

No. I believe what the Word says, as read by me, and as taught by Godly teachers, and all as the Holy Spirit confirms it to my heart.

Thanks for your response. I do have one more question for you based on your answers. In your original comment, you stated, "Picking and choosing what one believes and holds to as a reason not to join any church is pride..." If you would refuse to join the church I described because of your personal beliefs, doesn't that make you prideful based on your own standard? If not, explain why?

It isn't pride that should prevent one from joining churches. It is wisdom that should seek whether one should or shouldn't join one's life to a particular body of believers. It is error to teach what you have described. I would run from any body that holds that exaggerated belief. The Holy Spirit directs ouir footsteps--he leads us to our shepherds as He promises.

We ask God to show us where we should go, and we allow Him to lead us. He will always lead us to places where He wants us to become planted firmly and stay.

Thanks for clarifying your position. When you said "any" church, I took it you were saying that if there was not a good church in your area, you should join yourself to whatever church was available, regardless of their doctrinal positions.

[refugepsa91]

I've edited this thread to take out the bickering.

Enough!

This thread can be edifying if we don't allow a personal angst to get in the way. If it turns again, I'm shutting this down.

pm me with any questions.

Blessings,

Angel