Going to Church - Is It For Me?

A discussion with a friend and brother in Christ precipitated this post. As I started to gather Scriptures on the topic I used my time-saving convenient method of finding articles online on the same subject and grabbing their Bible references, re-reading them, and then writing my own thoughts around them. But this time I found an article called Why Should Christians Attend Church? that said everything I would have said, only better than I would have said it.

But of course I can't leave it at that :). Since this is my blog I want to comment on it from my own perspective and experience. So go read that, then come back here...I'll wait... :).

Done already? Ok, here goes...

My main concern with Christians not worshipping together is the division it puts into the Body of Christ. Most often Christian choose not to attend because they judge their brothers and sisters to be wrong in some way: hypocritical, not holy enough/too holy, erroneous theology, judgmental...those are just a few of the reasons I've heard from people who choose to stay away from church. And such criticisms of our brothers and sisters puts a division into the Body that must work together (1Cor.12) to accomplish God's will for His kingdom.

First off, I would say this: Even given the fact that we are commanded by the Word to not forsake the gathering of ourselves together and it is willful disobedience to do otherwise, isn't the judging of church members doing the same thing that you are accusing them of doing? When I call you hypocritical, doesn't that make me the same, since I am a sinner the same way you are? When I declare you to be not holy enough (a church full of sinners? GASP!) or too holy (I just want a feel-good message to take home with me), am I not declaring myself to be worthy of deciding the definition of holiness? When I criticize your theology, is it because I don't want to hear the Truth, or is it because I believe *I* have the answers and *you* are lacking them?

Before I continue, I want to assure the reader that I have been in the same place, have given the same reasons I hear from others, and haven't wanted to sully myself with those who are so wrong, in my estimation. So I can speak honestly - but without criticism or rancor. (If you are feeling defensive right now, look into your heart...) I don't have the right to criticize, but I have the obligation to proclaim the Word. It's right there in the Bible for anyone to read, I don't make this stuff up :).

Anyway, one thing is true: God will never contradict Himself. Having given us direction to gather with other believers, He will never tell us individually that we don't have to. It is a given that anything we choose to believe that is contrary to the Word - even if we think "But God Himself told me..." and even if we believe it with our whole hearts - it isn't true. God will NEVER contradict Himself. He never changes.

OK, so given all of this, how does one find a group of believers that we can worship with, praise with, honor God with, exhort and support, trust, and open our hearts to? Because being an active member of the Body involves making ourselves vulnerable to other sinners, and that's never a comfortable thing to do. (If it is, you're doing it wrong.)

First, we can look to the various denominations. Most Christian denominations are based upon the the inerrancy of the Word, the concept of one perfect God in the 3 Persons of the Trinity, our status as sinners, and the remission of our sins by the shedding or Jesus' blood, death, and resurrection. After that, most denominations tend to give more or less importance to other aspects of Christianity, such as baptism or sacraments, the role of women in the church, or even tradition, to one degree or another. We must weigh these against Biblical truths.

Many find that denominational churches are too dogmatic, or otherwise don't meet Biblical criteria (as they understand it). And for this reason, there are quite a few non-denominational church bodies that may meet our needs. Again, the ruler against each body must be measured has to be the Word.

Finally, there are groups who choose to meet together on the Lord's Day in obedience to the Word, and who may study Scripture, pray, sing, exhort, hold each other accountable, and honor God and share Bible truths outside of a church building - in a home for example. These become a body unto themselves, and often are the answer for those who can't find a traditional or organized church body within their area. There are many sources of information for these groups who don't typically have a pastor with an education in church history, languages, etc. (The organization of church groups is outlined in the Bible, such as in 1Timothy and elsewhere, and we must strive to be obedient to this as well.)

There are, of course, other thoughts on this subject. As Christians, we are to search the Word, and obey. If our beliefs are contrary, we must examine our own hearts.