Back in my young days I had a time when I felt why be connected to a Church, you are locked down, they are denominations, the Church is you not 4 walls. This went for many years. Here is what I have found, There is a song you can't go to Church because the Church is you (DC Talk) You can go to a community of believers which as per Paul is also the Church. Here is why we go to Church, If you find the right Church you are provided with encouragement. Many people in America especially are afraid of this we are brought up independent self reliant, why do I need another person to encourage me. If you do not need encouragement, but Christ is leading someone to encourage you are you not judging if Christ feel you need the encouragement. Second reason to go to Church is accontability, we are sinners we all fall short, Christ uses those as we gather to help us through our times of need. They can help with progressing in our walk with Christ. Third, Tithing, yes I know man the Church always wants our money, no this is different this is the 10 percent Christ calls us to give. If you have not tried to give the 10 percent and yes there is big time trials because the enemy will tempt all of us, but it is anothe area of life growing through in order to say God I am trusting you not myself. There are many other reasons that all are backed up as per Corinthians, Phillipians and Hebrews, Paul speaks about our call to being part of a community of believers. Here is the biggest thing I leave this message with, when we go to Church we are not the audience, the Pastor is not the audience, God is out audience, we go to Church to please God, to worship to Praise to glorify him, he is our audience, if we place our attention on I am here at Church to seek you Christ to worship you to seek you. Watch the difference on how Christ will work in life, better hold on though it is an awesome wild ride. Love In Christ, Matt

I understand where you are coming from Matt. Some church families can be very healthy and encouraging. But this was not the case for me. I felt their religion & doctrine was holding me back from what God has called me to do. I have found other Christians to Love & encourage me, that do not put boundaries on what I or God are capable of. We all were sinners, but now as Born again believers are new creatures in Christ Jesus. I also tithe to the ministries that are the source of my spiritual food. Kenneth Copeland, Jesse Duplantis, Creflo Dollar, etc. My mother has her judgemental eye on my lack of 'church" attendance, but I have peace with Jesus and that is what matters. Blessings! Debby

Hey bill...Welcome!!! nice to see you here!!!!!!!!

Hi! For Christians, the New Testament is clear on the absolute need to be a part of a local congregation of the universal church. The verse someone used, "where 2 or more are gathered in my name, there am I" is in context of *congregational* discipline in Matt 18. The very verse used to justify not being a part of a 'church' (more accurately, a body or congregation of the universal church) is the opposite of what it is used incorrectly for. If one is not a part of a local congregation, what Jesus says to do cannot really be done, when a professing Christian wants to 'go it alone', as well. The Book of Acts shows Christians in corporate meetings, "*continuing* in the apostle's *doctrine* [sound teaching] in breaking of bread, in fellowship, and prayer". Acts 13, etc., speaks about it, as well. 1 Cor 12:28 says "God has set some in the church" & includes teachers, pastors. Acts has, according to many, the first mention of deacons in the 7 set apart to help, 1 & 2 Timothy speaks of pastors, deacons in the local congregations. Paul didn't tell the Corinthians that if the church didn't shape up, go at it "alone". He wrote to bring sound doctrine & practice to it, but never said, or hinted, to separate from it. We see in Titus 1:5 Paul having Titus to appoint elders/pastors in every church/congregation, and in 1:9 for those elders to both encourage with *sound* doctrine (not what sounds nice, or similar to Tony Robbins), and to *refute* those who contradict sound doctrine. Acts 20 speaks of elders as those who shepherd the flock. Then Hebrews 10:25 plainly says not to forsake the gathering of "ourselves *together*, as *is* the manner of *some*, so much more, as you see the day approaching.". Hebrews 13:17 speaks of obeying your congregational leaders, but in the context of those servant-leaders speaking the word of God (13:7), not error. No one is perfect, but that is no excuse to disobey the Bible while professing to be a Christian. Please go to the Bible Gateway website, and type in "one another" in quotes in the 'look up passage' selection, using the King James Version (I say the KJV, because the wording may be different in other translations). Please then note how much 'body life' permeates the teachings of the New Testament for Christians. I differ with one who posted, in that I don't believe tithing transferred to the church, but I do believe in giving. I would never give to DuPlantis, Copeland, Hagin, etc., because I have studied differences with them on the whole Word of Faith teachings (See charismatic Christian author, DR McConnell, "A Different Gospel", as one source), & I don't think money should be siphoned to other ministries, that would have gone to a local church fellowship (with the Bible's elders/pastors as the undershepard). After giving to the work of a local church, it's cool to give to sound ministries.
There is no "correctly interpreted" (2 Tim 2:15) passages that tell Christians to skip meeting together with an elder, or elders, etc. It is the antithesis of the whole of NT doctrine concerning this issue. Please check out area churches, and carefully pick one that is sound in doctrine, biblically balanced, and have fellowship, grow, contribute, and further the work of that church in your area. Jesus said, "IF you love me, you *will* keep my commandments."
It isn't that "churched Christians" disagree. it's that the Bible does, which is to be the final standard for all areas of Christian living (Acts 17:11, 2 Tim 3:16-17, Ps 119). One Christian here said, "I have peace with Jesus and that is what matters", but is that really biblical? No. That is using a subjective feelings as the standard, it seems. This is not from a biblical worldview. Mormons (I am ex-Mormon), New Agers, and other non-Christians in society use feelings as the standard, but that is a false standard for the Christian. Feelings have a place, but the biblical Christian will use the Bible as the supreme and final standard to keep their feelings in check with the Bible, not the other way around. Also check the "one another" verses, as well as a number of passages in Proverbs on the correctness to hear others' views, not dismissing them as "judgmental", when that term is way misused in the church (somewhat like how 'tolerance' is misued among non-Christians, and unfortunately some Christians). The Bible says not to judge hypocritically, or do so without making sure you are also dealing with yourself (See carefully the entire chapter of Matt. 7, where it goes on to actually say to judge- decide true from the false- in claimed prophets, etc). Jesus said in John 7:24, "Do not judge from outward appearances, but judge righteous judgment." It isn't that a professing Christian "feels good" about being unchurched, it is what does the Bible say, and what is their response to it. "Jesus also said, "Why do you call me Lord, and do not do the things that I say?" 1 Samuel 15:22, "To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken is more important than the fat of rams."

I am or should I say was un-churched. I do not go to a "brick and mortar" church often. Mostly because of my work schedule. So I joined a "Webchurch" that has been of great help take a peek at the intro site.
http://www.extremeprophetic.com/

You are welcome, keng9096! I am glad you benefited from what I shared!
Harry