Joining a church

[Guest Biblicist]

How's that for discussion, Jadey?

You can come out of the doghouse now lol.

Thanks for the well thought out post.

Woof, do I get a cookie too?

[Guest HIS girl]

How's that for discussion, Jadey?

You can come out of the doghouse now lol.

Thanks for the well thought out post.

Woof, do I get a cookie too?

With tuna salad on top?

[ColleenLovesMischief]

No a Christian should not have to join a church. Attending and joining are 2 different things. I joined only once, and it would take a lot to ever get me to join again anywhere. Some prefer to stay out of the church politics. As a member I was expected to do things. They expected me to teach whenever they asked me to. If I refused (for reasons I preferred not to disclose to them) I was cold shouldered. Everything was ok as long as I did everything I was told. I don't see God wanting his kinds in a situation like that. So no.....and I am shocked so many people have said that you have to! Hi Jade!!!!!!!!!!! I'm around just not much up for chattin.

[Guest Biblicist]

Yes, please...*sits up and beggs*

[Guest Biblicist]

No a Christian should not have to join a church. Attending and joining are 2 different things. I joined only once, and it would take a lot to ever get me to join again anywhere. Some prefer to stay out of the church politics. As a member I was expected to do things. They expected me to teach whenever they asked me to. If I refused (for reasons I preferred not to disclose to them) I was cold shouldered. Everything was ok as long as I did everything I was told. I don't see God wanting his kinds in a situation like that. So no.....and I am shocked so many people have said that you have to! Hi Jade!!!!!!!!!!! I'm around just not much up for chattin.

I'm so sorry to hear about the problems you had in your church, Colleen.

My belief that I should join a church is based on Scripture, not my feelings about church. I believe that we need to belong to a local body for the same reasons Shiloh stated. They are the family of God. We need each other.

I pray that you can someday find a church where you can become a member and serve the Lord in the way He created you for.

[ColleenLovesMischief]

No a Christian should not have to join a church. Attending and joining are 2 different things. I joined only once, and it would take a lot to ever get me to join again anywhere. Some prefer to stay out of the church politics. As a member I was expected to do things. They expected me to teach whenever they asked me to. If I refused (for reasons I preferred not to disclose to them) I was cold shouldered. Everything was ok as long as I did everything I was told. I don't see God wanting his kinds in a situation like that. So no.....and I am shocked so many people have said that you have to! Hi Jade!!!!!!!!!!! I'm around just not much up for chattin.

I'm so sorry to hear about the problems you had in your church, Colleen.

My belief that I should join a church is based on Scripture, not my feelings about church. I believe that we need to belong to a local body for the same reasons Shiloh stated. They are the family of God. We need each other.

I pray that you can someday find a church where you can become a member and serve the Lord in the way He created you for.

You can belong without offically joining a certain building. I have absolutely no interest in membership with people at this point. If I could afford to go to a church I would do menial service tasks and ask to stay out of the ministry. For me staying out of it is just not joining. It's almost like asking if you have to join a serority to be a part of college to me. Some people have an emotional need to belong. Christ said nothing about joining. He said to assemble, but no where did He say the same people, or to make a commitment to one group.

Nothing on you bibbs. you have always been a sweetie.

[Floatingaxe]

No a Christian should not have to join a church. Attending and joining are 2 different things. I joined only once, and it would take a lot to ever get me to join again anywhere. Some prefer to stay out of the church politics. As a member I was expected to do things. They expected me to teach whenever they asked me to. If I refused (for reasons I preferred not to disclose to them) I was cold shouldered. Everything was ok as long as I did everything I was told. I don't see God wanting his kinds in a situation like that. So no.....and I am shocked so many people have said that you have to! Hi Jade!!!!!!!!!!! I'm around just not much up for chattin.

Being asked to teach or use a gift is making a demand on the anointing and it is an honour to do so, even when inconvenient. I am unaware of your reasons not to, but a no should suffice. God would surely be teaching you perseverence and when you say no, He is using you to teach them about boundaries. If one feels as if he is being taken advantage of, he needs to speak up, and not harbour ill-feelings about it. Being a member of a body of believers is an important step of accountability and responsibility to God's House. and the family that meets therein.

[Guest]

All Cristians have joined the church, there is only one church. As far as joining a local fellowship, that is a good thing to be with other believers, they can help keep you accountable, and doctrinally straight. Being connected to a local body, means that others can minister to you in various ways, but more importantly, it gives you more opportunities to minister to them. We know that if we are His, we have love for one another, any person who avoids other Christians, can hardly be loving them.

That all being said, there is no necessity to formally join, or even gather at a local place of worship, if we are connected to brothers and sisters apart from a local fellowship.

If one is avoiding that type of contact, either as relating to fellow believers or a local fellowship, one should look deeply and honestly into why they are reluctant to avoid the gathering of ourselves together, as Paul instructed us to do. What good motive is there for avoiding other Christians and their needs and help?

[Guest shiloh357]

Just to toss a new wrinkle into this .....

Are there activities within your church, besides obvious leadership, that only members of that church can participate in? Are there activities that those who attend regularly or irregularly but are not officially members can participate in? What are these activities (for both questions)?

Well, only members in my church can teach in Sunday School or hold any leadership position such joining any committees. Only members can vote on church business.

Beyond that anyone, member or not, can:

1. Go on Mission trips.

2. Participate in the Lord's Supper.

3. Attend any social function.

4. Can be participate in any and all Sunday School class sponsored activities

[Larry 2]

After Paul admonition of being carnal. do you think they called themselves of Apollos, Baptist, Cephas, or of Paul?

so your beef is with what a church calls itself?

Not at all. I just quoted scripture. 1 Corinthians 3:4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? I tried to give my thinking on what Paul was saying. I have seen what denominational systems have turned into in some instances from their original intent. The Ecumenical movement is great example of that if you're familiar with it. There is only one Church and all born to God are a part of it. If you notice the greeting Paul gave here: the church at Cenchrea, or the church of some city or group of people. Then John addresses the church in different cities. Regardless of what a local church calls itself, if in Christ they are the Church but what Paul was saying is that those calling themselves some special brand brings schisms within the body. They didn't have one body of believers that were supposed to believe in being justified by the law alone, and another by grace alone, one speaking in tongues, and another not allowing it; when it happened there was correction. Today we have the word righty divided to keep us in line with the truth and we do not have to have some denomination telling us that God lives only in a golpher hole, and another saying this or that part of the Bible no longer applies. When I attend any local assembly that is the Church I measure what is said by God's word, and not a particular doctrine set by some board somewhere. What would you like to call your church denomination Gator?