Does everyone have a local chuch?

Curious to know if people have a local body they attend? The reason why: I have been on this website and enjoy the discussions and sermons. Is it possible that we can get ourselves secluded from those in churches to don't have the passion and desire to know God the way this website promotes? The subject matter here is very encouraging and has been time test of spiritual truths; of course I didn't listen to every pastor and sermon so I truly don't know. Can we be in a danger to isolate ourselves? Because what I have been going through has been hard, wanting to see God more and Love Him more. To be sanctified for His Glory. I see that turning into cynicism for myself and need to reject that and pray for forgiveness. I can see how easily we can say 'they(in the churches) just don't get, they are got it so wrong.' I am not advocating heresy by any means. But I think it would be so easy to be self righteous and judgmental. If some or I feel that way I can see why some wouldn't want to go to church.

In His Love'
Reformer

If anyone is physically able they should be active in a local church body in their area. To me SI is of that same body. Are there any perfect ones without hypocrites? No. Only one thing declares me perfect. That is the blood of Jesus. Does that mean I am free to live in sin and do as want? I was bought with a price, therfore I need to offer my body a living sacrifice, that is my reasonable service. It doesn't cost us anything to come Jesus but it costs everything to follow HIM. Jesus said to the rich young ruler when he ask," what must I do to be saved. Keep my commandments, the rich young man replied," I have done that from my youth, then Jesus said sell all you have and give it to the poor and come follow me. The rich young man went away sad because he great posessions. What message was Jesus conveying. If he isn't Lord of all, then he is not Lord at all.
Many people go away sad because of their earthly possesions. He does not need our earthly posessions. He owns them anyway. He is the one that gave them to us. When we realize that he did give all, it will change our life. We will become more concerned about pleasing HIM than pleasing men.

I am a little confused, so be patient with me as I explain. I guess it concerns me that you stated: "To me SI is of that same body." This is a format to discuss and pray with believers, not a church. We should never forsake the assembly with others. There is something that will never replace coming together in a physical way to pray to study, and to worship. We should love in just word and but deed. Love is action and it is hard to get that when some chose to watch it at home or on SI. I agree that some just can't make it to church. But, that is when we go to visit those who can't. Its dangerous not to be in a local body. No man is an island. And what a man or woman is in private, where know on else can see, that is a true test to what kind of person they are. Is that person going to be looking at pornography and lustful things at home in private. That is when the devil has you, when he can get us alone and feel we don't need others to hold us accountable. I don't completely agree with your verse selection. If you are saying that we can have our churches as earthly possessions? that we can go to church just to please man? If that is what your implying, I agree, we should never go to church to make us feel we are saved or just to see the latest and greatness pastor and choir. We need to go to church to serve, to fellowship and equip one another. A true test if we are saved is that we love our Christians brothers and sisters and that we want to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and others.

I have a local Church in Detroit, we meet on the streets or in houses... I do not join with the babylonian system that God delivered me from.

Where 2 or 3 are gathered.

In Christ - Jim

reformer wrote:
I am a little confused, so be patient with me as I explain. I guess it concerns me that you stated: "To me SI is of that same body."

moe_mac response:
His church is believers everywhere, not just when gathered together in a building with a certain name on it to identify what doctrine we have.
When we assemble on SI for prayer and lifting up HIS name, discerning what HIS WORD says, in some ways we are doing more than many on Sunday morning. Assembling together means just what it says, when we are logged in we are assembled. Does it nullify the local body, no.

reformer wrote:
This is a format to discuss and pray with believers, not a church.

moe_mac response:
Contrary to popular belief, HIS church is HIS people not a building or just a group of people in a certain area.

reformer wrote:
I don't completely agree with your verse selection.
moe_mac response:
I don't know what you didn't agree with on the verse selection but it is located in Matt 19:17-22 if that was what you were referring to. If in anyway you thought I was implying that anyone had the church as an earthly posession it was something else or someone else speaking to you that implied that, because it certainly wasn't in the words I wrote or was not intended.

reformer wrote:
A true test if we are saved is that we love our Christians brothers and sisters and that we want to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and others.

mac response:
There are many test in HIS WORD that allows to examine ourselves. The test you mentioned is one of them. But I submit to you that if you look closely into the early church you see everyone of them standing on the WORD of GOD, standing against government and anyone else who distorted, changed, or compromised HIS WORD and were persecuted for standing for it. THe same is true today, the church has modernized, compromised, and changed HIS WORD to fit the culture including the denomination I am a member of. I am an active member of a local body and I believe it is each believers love for HIM to be a part of to use the gift that he has given us by HIS grace to serve in that body that HE has placed us. I don't know why my post seem to be so offensive to you and you response and what you thought I implied and what I intended to reply was certainly (edit) not the same. Although the verse selection I gave was right on target. If he is not Lord of all, he is not Lord at all. There are too many other scriptures back that verse up. Narrow is the way.

EDIT
The members on SI that are saved by HIS grace and have HIS SPIRIT living within them are a member of the same church I belong to. One body, one SPIRIT, One Baptism. ONE LORD.

Does everyone have a local chuch?

There's lots of buildings around that people like to call churches, but I refuse to go into any of them.

I'm better off reading my Bible alone in a cafe and praying in the closet.

If anyone is physically able they should be active in a local church body in their area.

That's quite the generalization considering the present state of churches today.

I'm of the opposite opinion: "Get out of those unholy places as fast as possible!"

How does one know if they are in the babylonian system or not?

Thos who love the truth will know if the congregation that they attend is babylonian, while those who are handed over to strong delussion will think that their congregation is not perfect, but mostly right on...

The vast majority of evangelical and non denominational congregations in the US (who generally meet in steeple houses) are babylonian.

In Christ - Jim

I fail to see how any mavericks out there can ever be the thing God has called us all to be in Christ outside of having continuous fellowship with other believers. We need one another.

I agree Jimmy, but it is better to find a bible study with 3 people who love the Lord then to go to a denomiational building and take part in unclean alters.

The important thing is to get past the babylonian way of defining fellowship as meeting at a building with a cross on it Sunday mornings as most do.

here is a short 3 minute comp of Paris Reidhead preaching on this matter.

[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?lid=15784]Useless organization[/url]

I am very passionate about living true NT Christianity, which the antichrist system is set up to mimic, but is a million miles away. I know God has pillars such as Time Square Church that He is using mightilly, but as said the great majority of congregations of all denominations are apostate. (not just slightly imperfect)

in Christ - Jim

So having a local building is a babylonian system!! Plus the 2 or 3 gathered in misleading! I hear that all the time. As long as there is a unity in spirit, then He is there. People think just because we are christian's God automatically shows up when we get together. I agree that we are the body, but people use that excuse not to go to a local fellowship, or I hate to say it, a building. I firmly believe most people don't want to go to a local fellowship and have church at home, could qualify as a sect.

So were is the accountability? I am sorry but that is a dangerous place to be in. You will subject yourself to temptation. I agree I don't know where that states for us to be alone without a body of believers.

Where does the Bible say that?

"Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her plagues." (REV 18, I think)

"Don't do your alms before men... left not your left hand see what your right hand does... pray in the closet... in private... so your Father may reward you openly..." (The Gospels)

And by this all men will know you are His disciple!!!

I'm under no obligation to show off my holiness to men, or to sit in the congregation of the wicked.

"Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom." (PRO 18:1)

I fail to see how any mavericks out there can ever be the thing God has called us all to be in Christ outside of having continuous fellowship with other believers.

Yet so many Christians refuse to follow this scripture, "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her plagues." (REV 18:4)

Do you therefore support people staying in compromised churches say, in Nazi Germany or Communist China, where the pastors preach the party line? Or in North American churches where obese pastors teach "prosperity and ski trips" for the saints?

My church isn't in a building. And I fellowship with the saints and meet them in the clouds every time I pray to Jesus.

So were is the accountability?

Look up. Waaaaaaay up.

And only a devil would use this verse and apply it to the church.

A whore is a good woman gone bad. Keep listening to the locusts as you wish. I'm out.

Tick, tick, tick ... I really do hear a clock ticking.

Anyways, could I jump in here ... gonna anyways. ha.

Only because I agree with everyone on here.

How could that be ? Well, I've had to travel a lot and move a lot since I got saved.

Where I got saved, there were many Churches to choose from for everyone and where I live now there is also, but where I lived since 1979 until I found this Church I'm in now, just since last year finding it .... there were NO-NONE good "churches" where I lived. We cried out to GOD to help us to find a fellowship. We scoured the newspapers, telephone books, went Church hopping to find one that wasn't teaching or acting wacky, but to no avail. In fact, when we got our computer, I said I will never go on the Internet ... but JUST to look further for a Church, we did go on-line. Just to find Fellowship.

Fortunately we knew some very Christlike Christians that are still my bestest friends and we fellowshipped together just over lunch or whatever.

Jesus said, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

So, even though we didn't meet together on any specific day of the week, nor Formally as a house church would, we were still fulfilling this verse. They live 700 miles away now, but they are the ones that I can confess my sins to and ask for prayer and the works. And now I'm blessed to have a Church where I have that outlet also.

I find there is even MORE accountability here at the Forum then at Church. Yup! Normally churches just meet and go ... but here the best & worst of us gets squeezed out of us because it's what's in the heart that has more Time to come out here. Once it's out, it can be dealt with. At Church we may not be as vocal, so things are hid.

I think my Church I just started up with last year is only the greatest in the world because it's a Pastor that makes a Church what it is.

But "fellowshipping and all the more as you see that day approaching and not forsaking THAT" is what we are doing here on this forum.
It's a gathering of the Saints ... period.

So I do agree with all sides on here.

Unless you've lived in places where all there is is looney bins for Churches, we shouldn't judge those who cannot find a fellowship. :-(

Just the fact that they show up here everyday and want to be fellowshipping with others here faithfully and using their gifts here and trying to help others and coming here to grow themselves, they are not "forsaking" the fellowshipping of yourselves together.

Can I agree with all sides in that way ? Hope so.
Love is how they'll know that we're His disciples, wherever we are fellowshipping and when we're not fellowshipping.
We don't all show love in the exact same manner --- but yet, it's still the different Body parts doing their individual function that makes us different but one.

Bless God for ANY fellowshipping, while we still have it.

responding to moe_mac:

What I was referring to was that it sounded like that SI is the church form many people and therefore they can neglect the local body. I have nothing wrong with SI, I enjoy it very much.

I have to disagree to a certain degree that you feel that SI does more than a local body. We can sharpen our skills and pray for one another. but what about evangelism? What about giving and tithing? What about missions? What about kneeling down with a brother that is broken, praying and loving him. I mean we can talk tell each other we love them until we are blue in the face. But, without deed and action, its meaningless. I agree that we can encourage each other through our discussion. but it certainly is not a reason to stay home from a local fellowship, thats sinful in my eyes. Plus, you can use the excuse that just because the NT church didn't have any buildings doesn't mean that it is not biblical. I bet if they had a place to meet every week they would. i bet they had a place they would meet weekly or bi monthly.

PLUS I never said His people are a building!

I understand that their are many test. And yes that is one of them. So, if I pass all the test, except one, it is ok?

I don't know where Jesus was anti government? Romans 13, makes it clear we are to subject ourselves to our governing authorities. Are we to make stands for the faith of Jesus Christ, YES! Are we NO!

I am sorry that you feel that I was being defensive. Listen brother, I enjoy your insight and thorough comments, I am a guy who can take most anything, I sometimes can get to a point rather quickly and harshly; I'm originally from the North. that will explain a lot. I appreciate your time and diligence it commenting. I like a healthy debate and discussion, even when others I are wrong! LOL just teasing. I agree that we need stronger doctrine and preaching in our churches, especially mine. My church has been slipping into a seeker friendly church, it grieves me to see that! I wish we had more preaching and better evangelism, we do good but, its not about numbers, its about getting people saved! I feel I need to stay there, they still have a lot of good things going on. I won't be able to change them, but they won't stop me to pray for them. Brother I love you in the Lord, your family, I don't know you, but the Lord loves you and commands me to do the same. Please don't get upset or defensive. I just like to discuss hot topics, look at some of the responses, some people don't even go to a local church and that is sad.

if this gets out of hand, I will ask the moderator to shut this down.I don't want people to get upset.

If you thing that you can be an island unto yourself and everyone else is wrong, Thats how cults get started; thats how Waco and Jim Jones got started. They love the darkness, rather than the light! if I am alone without fellow believers, man i can live anyway I feel, who is going to know. Since I created my own God.

Corey_H wrote:

So were is the accountability?

Look up. Waaaaaaay up.

iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Guess that doesn't mean anything.

My husband and I attend at the church we were married in. The pastor is a man who loves people, and preaches the Word in the Power of the Holy Spirit. (note: I don't mean weird manifestations...)

Thats great! Thank you for sharing. I find it amazing that many feel that we are wrong for attending a local building. Its scary!

PS
Just noticed I left off the R in church in my Post.

reformer wrote:
I don't know where Jesus was anti government? Romans 13, makes it clear we are to subject ourselves to our governing authorities. Are we to make stands for the faith of Jesus Christ, YES! Are we NO!

mac_mac
I'll keep this short I don't desire to come and try and correct anything else I didn't say.
Ok, the government crucified Jesus because he claiming to be King. They felt their authority was threatened. They killed all the early disciples, except John, and they just exiled him to the island of patmos to shut him up, because they put Jesus' authority above all other authority when it conflicted with HIS. The pharisees when ask, " is he your king, they replied, ' we have no king but cesear. The disciples done the same thing many do today. How many people you know trying to shut up the and silence HIS WORD. Obey the laws of the land as long as you don't disobey HIS principles.
His authority is supreme!!!!

edit:
Whomever is still here during the tribulation will be asked," if he is your King". You will answer that question yes by not taking the mark of the beast and give up the right to buy and sell something to eat or anything. I'm not planning on being here, because Jesus said in my Father's house are many mansions, if it were not so I would have told you so, if I go away I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am you may be also.

I have to disagree to a certain degree that you feel that SI does more than a local body.

:-D You're new here. Wait. :-D

but what about evangelism? What about giving and tithing? What about missions?

How do you know that these poor brothers and sisters who can't find a "church" aren't doing these things ? We can't know that. And many of us who are literally stuck home due to age or disability "evangelize" with unsaved folks on the Net. And write letters to missionaries and support them also in prayer.

I'm in a Support group of Christian women who are disabled and they are former Missionaries and Pastor's wives and they can't "go to Church anymore". Not even their own husband's Church.

What about kneeling down with a brother that is broken, praying and loving him.

Why don't we start this right now ?

Like I said, you're new here. You don't know what you'll feel about this place a month from now.

Some brothers or sisters can get each other's phone #'s or whatever and kneel and pray together from here. You don't have to be in physical proxsimity when you are joined in spirit, whether you like being joined in spirit with some folks or not. HA.

Just wait a bit brother before you come to any concrete decidings here. I guarentee, you will be tested here and found out for what's really in your heart here much more than at your Church ... and that has gone for all of us here.

THIS is the refining fire. It's easy to be good boys & girls at Church. Very easy.

"They will know we're His disciples by our LOVE" ... someone quoted part of that earlier .... your love is being tested right now more than it has been at your Church.

I'm allllllll for finding a local fellowship where we are loved, like how I blessedly found the one I'm in now ..... but we must have compassion on those who I mentioned above again in this post also who either Can't find one or can't be there with physical bodies because their physical bodies can't get there.

GOD provides "fellowship" for everyone ... unless they don't have a telephone or Internet, like the elderly or disabled .... and those are the ones that ALL Churches or indiviual Christians should be looking to find and visit.

Have patience brother. I know you'll find common ground or at least more understanding for those not in your blessed situation.

Thanks.
Annie

HomeFree89 wrote:
Hi Reformer,

My family and I attend a very small holiness church (Bible Methodist, not to be confused with United Methodist ;-) ), but we are not members.

SI is a place for me to come and fellowship with other believers and be sharpened and challenged in the Lord. I don't see it as a church, but as another way to connect with the Body of Christ.

Jordan

I agree, couldn't have said it better. You used the word "another". i love that, that is the point, it is another way to sharpen our skills, but still be part of a local fellowship. GREAT comment!!!

Thanks

KingJimmy wrote:

Can we be in a danger to isolate ourselves?

Absolutely. Hebrews 10 tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together as is the habit of some, but as the day of the Lord draws closer and closer, to assemble all the more so as to provoke one another to good works. Ephesians 4 tells us that God has given us gifts to help build one another up in the faith so we can reach maturity.

I fail to see how any mavericks out there can ever be the thing God has called us all to be in Christ outside of having continuous fellowship with other believers. We need one another. A three-stranded cord is not easily broken. If you were to walk alone and fall into a pit, who would help you out? We should not neglect local fellowship. We need it not only to be a blessing, but to receive blessing.

AMEN, AMEN!! Thank you. Great comment. Right on the money. Scary that many feel that they are mavericks. I once was in my early christian walk, no what came out of it!!! Nothing but trouble, think that I was right and everyone was wrong. Boy, do I love my brothers and sisters in church. they look out for me and ask how I am doing!! i need that!!

Now you've provoked the woman's response out of me. I went into immediate tears when I read you both say that SI is not the or 'a' Church.

Dear God, please brother please look up "who" the Church is.

That in my feeling is, WHY we have the problems we do here. If we treat this bunch of God's family any differently than we do at our "local churches", then that's why this can be a phony bunch of nonsense between us all.

I'm not angry brother ... seldom get "angry" ... but I get this really hurt feeling inside whenever anyone loses sight of what HIS BODY IS.

Major sad here.

I'll lay off this thread cuz I'm getting too emotional now. But I'd like to post an article later about The Body by some brother, if I can find it.

Love in Christ.

GrannieAnnie wrote:

How do you know that these poor brothers and sisters who can't find a "church" aren't doing these things ? We can't know that. And many of us who are literally stuck home due to age or disability "evangelize" with unsaved folks on the Net. And write letters to missionaries and support them also in prayer.

I think that is great and I used to go with a friend to nursing homes when I lived in another part of town. I so agree that we need to go to those who can't. I am referring to people that think it is okay to not go to a local church. Because what ever reasons they hold.

ust wait a bit brother before you come to any concrete decidings here. I guarentee, you will be tested here and found out for what's really in your heart here much more than at your Church ... and that has gone for all of us here.

Trust me I have been tested thats why I have been coming back. I love this website. Forgive me if it has come across like I had made a decision about SI. I was just trying to make a point that people will use church style website as their church. and so have come out to admit, that is what they do. My mom feels like she can get her church from TV. She is perfectly capable of going to a local body. But her excuse is people are hypocrites and they aren't doing it right. Thats the danger, of course it is not my job to police the world on who is going to church. These styles of churches that are popping up on the internet is part of a postmodern agenda.

I appreciate your candor and forth rightness. I look forward to meeting people and praying with them. I am not by any means trying to advocate SI is wrong. I was just trying to say that this website and others can get some people to feel like this should be my church. No one in my church feels this passionate about truth like SI does!! Therefore maybe I shouldn't go.

Thanks for your comments

Reformer

No one in my church feels this passionate about truth like SI does!! Therefore maybe I shouldn't go.

Brother, no need to twist anyone's words here.

You have left off other things that I said in my posts. Going for sarcasm proves that.

Still loving you brother. We are the Church and if we act "politer" at our local church than we do here, we're fooling around.

Bless The Church.

If God's in it,then it doesn't matter whether it is SI,or 2 or 3,our 1900 in the congregation. As long as we lift up the name of Jesus and speak HIS truth and praise HIS wonderful name and thank HIM for HIS grace and HIS mercy and HIS love.

GrannieAnnie wrote:

No one in my church feels this passionate about truth like SI does!! Therefore maybe I shouldn't go.

Brother, no need to twist anyone's words here.

You have left off other things that I said in my posts. Going for sarcasm proves that.

I was not saying you or anyone else, I was giving an example on how someone might react. I was not being sarcastic, trying to make the point that people can begin to focus on the faults of there church because may not line up with some views from SI, or alittleleaven.com, or SLice of Laodicea.com. People may so strongly feel that their church would be more like the doctrine on SI, they may decide to feel hopeless in there church. Maybe discernment is needed when being on these type of websites and then going to your local church. I can tell you my church doesn't preach these kind of messages. My fellow believers don't have the desire to know and love Jesus more, like you and others on SI. We can run the risk of comparing and that is the mistake.

God bless

Thank you Lord

moe_mac wrote:
If God's in it,then it doesn't matter whether it is SI,or 2 or 3,our 1900 in the congregation. As long as we lift up the name of Jesus and speak HIS truth and praise HIS wonderful name and thank HIM for HIS grace and HIS mercy and HIS love.

AMEN. SEE I am not so bad??

Are you having any fun! yet! :-)

This is the down side in typing comments. its always hard to put the right emotion in it so not to offend. I am not the best typer or speller. Thanks for spellcheck. :-) :-)

reformer as long as you I are lifting up the name of Jesus we are having fun. Brother I agree with the local church, evangelism, and anything God puts on our hearts. I thank HIM for SI and all HIS people to encourage me and you. As I said in an earlier post when we discuss things it does not mean we are not in unity. I just got a brand new love for you brother.

moe_mac

I just got a brand new love for you brother.

I appreciate it that. I am lovable. :-D Honestly i am pretty easy going and can be little blunt, but that is the Italian and German in men and being from the north!! Look out. :-o I admit I can come off wrong and misunderstood, thats what my wife is alway s telling me. I sometimes go straight to the point a little to fast.

God Bless you brother, I have really enjoyed talking and now my wife is giving me the evil eye to get off the computer.

see ya

I'll pray for you on the short and blunt and please pray for me. I got the same problem. Maybe two positives made a spark, but sometimes that what it takes to get to where you need to be. The closer we get to the Lord the closer we get to each other. I enjoyed the conversation. Email sometime, my email address is on my profile.
God Bless

reformer said

If you thing that you can be an island unto yourself and everyone else is wrong

"Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name." (ISA 49:1)

"Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock [whence] ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit [whence] ye are digged.... My righteousness [is] near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust." (ISA 51:1-5)

Thats how cults get started; thats how Waco and Jim Jones got started. They love the darkness, rather than the light! if I am alone without fellow believers, man i can live anyway I feel, who is going to know. Since I created my own God.

John lived a hermetic life in the wilderness and baptised believers in the river - not in the temple...

Elijah lived in the wilderness, drank from the brook and was fed by ravens...

Daniel fasted in sackcloth and ashes by the riverside...

Abram was called out of Ur, then lived with his family on the plains, away from the cities...

Jesus fasted for forty days in the wilderness, and his most famous sermon was preached in the wilderness, on the mountainside...

Dear MM, we're ALL lovable. :-D

I think the best thing to do is go back and read all of our posts and what we said, rather than to just think it is our "style" but look more at our words.

I would have sent you a PM to talk, but my settings don't permit me to use many functions.

I suppose my main point is for folks who can't find a Church that they feel Spiritually comfortable in and so they fellowship here just to be with The Church.

If a Church is so far removed from what we see on GOOD websites, than maybe we should pray what we should do about that, because the main purpose of "fellowship" is growth.
If one is not being conformed to His Image who IS The TRUTH, than they should pray whether to talk privately with their Pastor or just look for another Pastor who loves God enough to be walking in The Truth, thus fulfilling his calling as a "Pastor", which is ... "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." Eph. 4:12-16

Thanks for trying to see all situations - we being many - may find ourselves in.

Blessings.

PreachParsly said

Isn't it odd that verse says "my people?" I've always understood that to mean more than one.

I'm not the only one.

Preach Parsly said

You're none of those people and none of them were in the Body of Christ. You really don't see the importance of gathering together?

I'm obviously none of those people - but I long to be like them by knowing God.

"Be still, and know that I am God" (PSA 46:10)

"Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom." (PRO 18:1)

I genuinely hope you're all in great churches that aren't compromised by dodgy doctrines and the lastest revival craze that comes down the corporate pipes. Personally, I've have had nothing but bad experiences and disappointments with instituional churches and their card-carrying members.

"The average church is just a business, an institution. And church membership has been substituted for salvation. And the average person thinks only of getting "members" into their church, and not of the salvation of the lost... We've lost Holy-Spirit conviction of sin, righteousness and of judgment. Therefore, sinners are dried and unmoved. There's an utter absense of old time Bible Holy Ghost conviction. In our midst, there's an absense of the breaking up of the human heart. The plowing and subsoiling. And making ready the heart of man for the planting of the Seed of Truth... We have substiuted the wisdom of men: training, developing, cultivating, which is the old human nature - which leads to "decisions" for Christ, which has resulted in folks trying to "quit" their sins, reforming their lives, which is religion without life... Profession without possession, church membership without Christ..."

-L.R. Shelton

Hi Preach, didn't want to not answer here, though when we're this many pages in already, there isn't much more I can add than all the posts I've already posted here and what I wrote in them.

About communion for those without a church building to go to .... how many people does it take to have communion ?

About being phoney on here ... that is very easily done in any Church unless that Church operates with the gifts of the Spirit.
Paul warned that after he'd leave, "ravenous wolves" would come up from "amongst them" ... so there's just as much protection here as there is in a physical gathering for those who can't find a church building to meet in.

In my first post on here, I said I agree with all sides of these posts but I have to say that I've been in that predictament where there was no local church or even any within many miles to go to up in the chilly north. You'd have to have lived there to understand.

I'm sure if Corey can put up with all of us everyday, he could tolerate a Church with a cool Pastor despite what denomination it was.

I found such a man who's now my Pastor. Extremely intelligent but with the greatest heart and preaches like the Saints of old ... just like all of these Classics here.

If Corey could find such a man .... because the Pastor is what makes a Church good or bad .... then I'm sure he'd go, cuz he likes to help people.

But those type Pastors are very-very few and far between. God moved me 700 miles to find this man/Pastor. :-D Praise GOD ... that is WHY we moved 700 miles .... JUST to find "fellowship".

So you see I'm not against having a physical Church to attend and far from it .... but not everyone can move 700 miles to find one.

God Bless each other. Pray for one another.

It's really not about who is sitting on the pew in front, behind or beside of you and it is really not about you. It's about HIM. The local body is important.
SI members, is they are saved by HIS BLOOD, are members of HIS body. It doesn't matter who made the post before you, after you, or yours, it is not about us, it is about HIM. He wants to include us in HIS plans. It is about HIS glory being manifested through HIS people. Maybe sometimes we need to climb a tree as Zacheaus did to see Jesus because the people are in our line of vision. As far as hypocrites go in the church. Jesus sent the 12 out two by two and someone had to go with Judas. Just because they went with Judas didn't make them any less of a disciple.

by moe_mac on 2007/7/27 18:59:42

It's really not about who is sitting on the pew in front, behind or beside of you and it is really not about you. It's about HIM. The local body is important.
SI members, is they are saved by HIS BLOOD, are members of HIS body. It doesn't matter who made the post before you, after you, or yours, it is not about us, it is about HIM. He wants to include us in HIS plans. It is about HIS glory being manifested through HIS people. Maybe sometimes we need to climb a tree as Zacheaus did to see Jesus because the people are in our line of vision. As far as hypocrites go in the church. Jesus sent the 12 out two by two and someone had to go with Judas. Just because they went with Judas didn't make them any less of a disciple.

You've right Moe in more than just this one post here.

I fear we will hurt each other in our religious zeal rather than pray for them.

Thank you.

Responding to CoreyH:

You must be the next great prophet. These men were called for something specific. If you follow that pattern of these men, then we must through Judas in there as well. Are you out in the streets calling people to repentance! I guess by your own examples I guess you plan on moving into the wilderness.

I would say about Jesus preaching in the wilderness was because they drew large crowds, could you imagine all them in the city!? He even preached from a boat. Maybe we all need to live in boats on the water.

Geographically they pretty much lived in a rough and rugged terrain, you can not compare there time in that environment to today. Plus, all those men mentioned were pointing to Jesus Christ.

If you feel like you are some kind of maverick and a martyr, be my guest live in the wilderness. Because the bible you are reading is not the same as mine.

One more thing don't you use Gods word to somehow defend Koresh and Jim Jones!! You dare compare those men to Elijah, John, Daniel, Abram, and Jesus!! What bible do you read from??

PreachParsly wrote:
On the internet there are many "dating services." I've never heard of two people getting married by meeting on a dating service website having children and having never met- not even after the "wedding." Why not?

Well, I think it is because you can't really know each other in the same manner you can if you spent time face to face with the person.

Also, when you only know someone online you only know what they tell you about themselves. It's impossible to know someone from a forum like you could if you seen them in person multiply times a week.

So, it's not the Forums aren't profitable or anything like that. It's just not the same as in person. Why else would so many be excited about going to the Revival Conference?

EDIT: Probably 90% of the arguments and fusses on here are due to the fact we can't see the emotion or demeanor of the person typing. How could we ever imagine that an internet forum can come close to what it is when you gather in person?

GREAT POINT!!! You see what I have been trying to get across!!

Thanks

PreachParsly wrote:

John lived a hermetic life in the wilderness and baptised believers in the river - not in the temple...

Elijah lived in the wilderness, drank from the brook and was fed by ravens...

Daniel fasted in sackcloth and ashes by the riverside...

Abram was called out of Ur, then lived with his family on the plains, away from the cities...

You're none of those people and none of them were in the Body of Christ. You really don't see the importance of gathering together?

You know Preach I love your style!! 8-)

Your right he doesn't get it and the sad thing is he is not alone. I still believe if your not in a local body and loving your brethren as we are commanded to do, we need to examine ourselves if we are in the faith!

I believe the biggest reason people hold that point of view about church is so that we can live in any old sin we desire!

I appreciate so much your comments.

You must be the next great prophet. These men were called for something specific. If you follow that pattern of these men, then we must through Judas in there as well. Are you out in the streets calling people to repentance! I guess by your own examples I guess you plan on moving into the wilderness.

I would say about Jesus preaching in the wilderness was because they drew large crowds, could you imagine all them in the city!? He even preached from a boat. Maybe we all need to live in boats on the water.

Geographically they pretty much lived in a rough and rugged terrain, you can not compare there time in that environment to today. Plus, all those men mentioned were pointing to Jesus Christ.

If you feel like you are some kind of maverick and a martyr, be my guest live in the wilderness. Because the bible you are reading is not the same as mine.

Sarcasm, malice and hatred. Did you learn this in your Bible that's so different from mine?

One more thing don't you use Gods word to somehow defend Koresh and Jim Jones!! You dare compare those men to Elijah, John, Daniel, Abram, and Jesus!! What bible do you read from??

I didn't say a thing about these men. Go back and reread this thread.

one more thing why are we so concerned about offending someone? Better is an open rebuke, than hidden love. Listening to some of these preachers on SI, they can and are in your face! Do they do out of love, I hope so! But, I am tired off the mentality, can't we all just get along. I am not talking about being offensive for the sake of just being mean and cruel. But sometimes it takes being up confronting and being offensive.

:-)

LoveHim wrote:

I still believe if your not in a local body and loving your brethren as we are commanded to do, we need to examine ourselves if we are in the faith!

you don't really mean this do you brother?? i hope not.

I believe the biggest reason people hold that point of view about church is so that we can live in any old sin we desire!

brother, i would recommend that you think about this statement some more. i have met a few brothers (including my best friend) who live very godly lives that do not meet in a church building. they preach against sin and hunger to reach the lost for Him.

brother, i pray that you will see others in a different light.

I'm not talking about a specific building. I am talking about being part of a local fellowship. But I would be concerned about being part of just a small group and thats it! I don't think there can would be any outside accountability. Being part of some type of denomination affilitate. I am trending thin ice right now. I am saying if you are part of some type of, accountability such as SBC. You know what there beliefs are, add if anyone tries to come in and present a different gospel that is contrary to scripture, hey would uphold the truth. But anyone can start a church and teach anything! Then were is that accountability! Hope that makes sense, if it's not let me know please.

thanks
"

Corey_H wrote:
[
Sarcasm, malice and hatred. Did you learn this in your Bible that's so different from mine?

I didn't say a thing about these men. Go back and reread this thread.[/quote

Not being hateful. If you would re look at your comments you would think twice about that statement you just made. You have been harsh through this whole thread, so you are far from innocent here.

When you posted my quote on Waco and Jim Jones and then added the men of GOd in the bible, I viewed that as you were comparing them with each other. Because of them being alone outside of what others believed. If i am mistaken, you have my deepest apologies!!

I must go now, my laptop keyboard is acting up again.

edit

If this is how some of you treat each other in your local assemblies, you'd run half or more out.

Corey was fellowshipping here and was and is growing since he first signed on. I've seen the difference in his posts and praying for people and having COMPASSION on people and the changes were becoming more apparent.

Where have you all been on the prayer forum or the other articles and devotional sections ??????

That's the whole purpose of this fellowship business is to Grow individually, not to have motes and beam contests every time we turn around.

Self-righteousness can't see the growth in another. Judging hearts stinks in any fellowship.

If this mob has run him off ... then we are not coming together in Jesus Name At All.

MM, I hold most of your posts as cruel and then covered back over with pleasantries when called so. The rest should just know better and LoveHim .... You sure do Love Him and you love others as yourself.

This whole thread is sickening now. Legalists wielding the Sword as if it were a play toy that can't do damage and the "I'm Holier Than Thou" posts, when I'd love to see how polite you are in front of your Pastor's. I betcha you are.

If this is a matter of life or spiritual death for Corey, why did you treat him so and not just pray for him, if you thought it was this important to gang up on him like a pack of stone throwers.

Oh, never mind. Either folks understand the meaning and purpose of The Body of Christ, or their just club goers.

I wouldn't want to visit any one of your churches if this is how you treat people who have had reasons to isolate temporarily and not even isolate from Christians, but has been here everyday and letting the atmosphere change his way of seeing things and getting along now with people who at first didn't get along with him.
But of course, legalists never see that kindness and transformation in others ... unless it lines up there form of legalism.

Misinterpreters of the Word you all are, with the few exceptions.
Had one person shown him kindness, he'd be in that fellowship now.

Pack mentality all over again. A Reproachful Shameful show.

Ye which are spiritual ...................

I 'pray' you didn't make him as sick as you've made me here.

Love ? Oh please.

KingJimmy,

please read[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=18046&forum=34]The Lonleliness of the Christian by A.W. Tozer.[/url]

This is [b]exactly[/b] how I feel.

GrannieAnnie, don't sweat it.

Thanks for the effort.

No sweat, just tears.

Thank you for all of your prayers and for your prayer for the Korean hostages and for a lot of other ways you've shown HIS Love.

Over 4 years ago the LORD told me to leave the Church that I was attending. I didn't want to leave, I fought the will of God until it was unbearable and I left. I have asked many times on where I should go next and I have not received a word. I have gone to other Churches to sit in a service and I felt no leading to stay there. There are times that I long for fellowship and the LORD always gives me that time of fellowship. Tonight was one of those times, it was great, was able to share Christ with a woman. She thought we dropped out of the sky and wondered if we were angels. I know Jesus is doing something within His body, I don't know what. Many of my friends have stopped going to a local assembly, they want the real McCoy and it's not happening in these Churches.

Now remember, I never left Church because there was something wrong, I wanted to go. But the LORDS will was strong and I couldn't resist. Years later, I come to find out that the Pastor ran off with his brothers wife. I wasn't devastated, but I felt very grieved over my brothers action, I love that Pastor. I see him from time to time and I just hope the LORD gives me a word for him, I want to see him restored.

I love an imperfect church. I hope that God grants me to have one that is filled with whores homos beggars and thieves, half wits and nit wits. I have no tolerance towards legalistic Christians, they need to repent or fall into sin so that grace may abound and God can be merciful unto them.

If you feel that I am out of the will of God because I don't go to a local assembly, I encourage you to pray for me that the LORD would open doors, because right now, I see closed ones. ;-)

I guess we'll need to post this same thing on every page.....

What if there are NO doctrinally sound Churches in your area or even within driving distance ?

Compliments said

I love an imperfect church. I hope that God grants me to have one that is filled with whores homos beggars and thieves, half wits and nit wits. I have no tolerance towards legalistic Christians, they need to repent or fall into sin so that grace may abound and God can be merciful unto them.

If you feel that I am out of the will of God because I don't go to a local assembly, I encourage you to pray for me that the LORD would open doors, because right now, I see closed ones.

Brother, you just made this poor saint's night!

great post! narrowpath

Corey_H wrote:
KingJimmy,

please read[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=18046&forum=34]The Lonleliness of the Christian by A.W. Tozer.[/url]

This is [b]exactly[/b] how I feel.

Corey I feel that way too!! but because I feel that way I should not forsake the assembly of others. In spite of the short comings of my church, I can't let that effect my walk, the devil wants us to leave our church and he has been attacking me about that very issue. But, I have brothers that love me and I love them. They need me and I need them. Will God call me out of that church one day maybe, can God use me right where I am at? yes. Corey, I have read that article myself, actually I think you helped me, by sending it to me in the past few days from another thread discussion. Please don't feel like you need to be alone, just because the great prophets of the bible were. I beseech you not to be alone! Please!

Someone said they would love to be a prophet of the Lord! Now we can be prophets by proclaiming His truths. But, to be a prophet like Jeremiah, Isaiah ,Elijah and so on, those are lonely times and grievous times caring such a strong burden. We know longer needs those prophets, we have Gods Holy Word to proclaim to those around us.We have the complete canon of scripture in which those men died for so that we would have what we have today!! Now we must carry the torch not for them , but raise the banner High for Jesus Christ!

Don't be discouraged, you know I was rough on you too, but that doesn't mean that I am not concerned. I will defend what I say, just as you will.

We can't go back 4 or 6 pages or more ... but I am in a Church and a Reformed Theology Church.

I was Assembly of God, so, can you see I wasn't looking for Doctrinal agreements as much as a genuine Pastor. As in a Good Shepherd.

You guys that have Churches will never understand someone like Compliments or Corey or what I went through for years, looking for a Church.

There's no way you'll ever understand this problem unless you've been there for as many years as I was or they have been.

Up north where I lived, all the folks I knew left the AoG and have been Church hopping ever since and most went to house Churches. Half were also out of the Church of God, which is similar to the AoG. And then there was another bunch of us just out of non-denominational mind sets and none of us could find a Church.

So now, my best friend up north is in a Baptist Church for now and I'm in a PCA Church, because, like I said, the Pastor is unbelievable.

Ho-hum. What more can I tell ya ?

But what K.J. said was good. Become a Missionary.

HA, that's what I did Jimmy. :-D

HopePurifies said

It is obvious that Corey didn't leave the church to hang on to his sin, but because the "churches" were in sin... that is biblical. I've went to my church with the purpose of evangelizing (because they are definitely not good) but so far I've only been brought down by it.

Thanks for understanding brother. I think a little affirmation was what I really needed to hear about now.

Unlike this quote by PaulWest

You won't last. I guarantee it. You'll be a bitter, miserable Christian for the remainder of your life, immune from correction effective only in stirring strife and seeking to cause division.

Paul. This is cruel and unsupportive.

You don't know the churches I've been to and what I've witnessed - prosperity preaching in one; financial scandle in another; priest flirting with the ladies (and young girls) in the congrgation; Purpose Driven deceptions in another... that's four churches.

And that's just since February.

Being alone with my Bible in God is much, much safer, whatever you may think.

No one ever talks about Jesus over coffee and muffins afterwards anyway. At least we do on SI.

GrannieAnnie wrote:
I guess we'll need to post this same thing on every page.....

What if there are NO doctrinally sound Churches in your area or even within driving distance ?

I must say with much humility, that's an excuse. There has to be some church near by? I was in a church 6 years ago and a family used to drive an hour oneway! What do you mean that is not doctrinally sounded? Do they not believe in Jesus Christ has who HE is? The resurrection? The trinity? that He is GOD! We can compare to the great churches in the past and listen to our hero's, And wish our churches were like that now! Some probably are and most are not. But it doesn't mean that one day it won't happen. My personal opinion is that's why some don't go to church, they thrive off those great sermons of centuries ago, and we long for that zeal in our churches. you think the Lord Jesus desires for His church to return to the first love? More than you and I and everyone else on this website. He won't give up on the church and nor should you and I.

Hey Corey, I like my light and sweet with a bavarian chocolate covered donut please.

May I quote you again ?

Muahahahahahahaaaaa..... haahhahahaaaa... Booooooo.....

I give up man. When someone keeps coming at you but hasn't READ your posts, it's time to bail.

Can I have my coffee and puss donut to go ?

Thanks brother. I needed a pick-me-up.

I belong to a baptist church. I feel as though God is moving me to another baptist church 15 miles further away. I waiting and praying for direction. SI members Please help me in those prayers. I think all the churches would be better off removing their sign and Pastor just seek God, study the scripture, open up their Bible and as the Holy Spirt leads and let it fly and preach the gospel, instead of trying to preach to fit the sign out front and appease the old geasers that say that's the way we always done it. Go back to the way Paul done it.

reformer wrote:
Curious to know if people have a local body they attend? The reason why: I have been on this website and enjoy the discussions and sermons. Is it possible that we can get ourselves secluded from those in churches to don't have the passion and desire to know God the way this website promotes? The subject matter here is very encouraging and has been time test of spiritual truths; of course I didn't listen to every pastor and sermon so I truly don't know. Can we be in a danger to isolate ourselves? Because what I have been going through has been hard, wanting to see God more and Love Him more. To be sanctified for His Glory. I see that turning into cynicism for myself and need to reject that and pray for forgiveness. I can see how easily we can say 'they(in the churches) just don't get, they are got it so wrong.' I am not advocating heresy by any means. But I think it would be so easy to be self righteous and judgmental. If some or I feel that way I can see why some wouldn't want to go to church.

In His Love'
Reformer

(I read first question and then GrannieAnnie's last post and was truly amazed at what seemed to transpire in a matter of 12 hours and 7 pages later over this simple question.) I am reminded of Krispy's admonition that I read early this morning and thought, "How soon we forget." Or you guys must have not read it!!! Anyway, go grannie go!!!

So I'm only going to answer the original post! I have thought much about how sermonindex has played in my life in the last two years and even talked about it with a close friend. Approx a year or more before I left my church, I began listening to semons on sermonindex. The majority of these sermons remind me of the pastor I had growing up and who became "my" pastor when I gave my life to Jesus. I believe they played a minor part in my choosing to leave a church where to me there relationship with Christ was purely platonic. And I believe that was part of the Lord's plan. I was either going to have to become like them or leave. Thank God I left but I still pray for the leaders in that church for a love of the Truth to become part of their very being, so that they would rather please Christ than man.

Now, I have not regularly attended anywhere for the past year and two months. And one of the MAJOR reasons I left I read in Paul West's response:

Paul West wrote:
The key to this "finding the right fellowship" dilemma is the same key to finding the right mate, ministry direction, etc.

Exactly, Brother Paul!! Except my key was submission. And when I bring this point up, most people's eyes glaze over because the Lord had been dealing with me on the subject of submission to authority for about two years before I left this church. The pastor himself "mislead" me in several areas of the church. I explained to him that I could no longer submit to his authority.

So I am taking my time praying and searching and seeking about who's authority on this earth (in the church area) God would have me submit to. And in the mean time, I am praying much and listening much to the wonderful sermons on here. Sometimes, I admit, I wonder if I'm dragging my feet a bit because i know how well I am being fed because I think these type of preachers are hard to find in Knoxville, TN. But I've not checked out every single pastor and church here either. But that is just my story, there are many others out there.

[edited out]

God bless SermonIndex and all the contributors on it!! Thank you.

Didn't Paul spend 14 yr.s in the wilderness before he started working ? I can't remember my name right now.

I went to one Church up north that preached, "Poor brother Moses, had low self-esteem" .... oh my.

Poor brother Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness.

I haven't met one Christian who likes being in the wilderness AT ALL. Just emphasis, because I already explained, I moved 700 Miles away from all my friends and family to find a Church, if that's not enough miles for you all, then I'm reprobate. Ha. I'm sorry, this is getting me silly now. Slapped silly.

I got closer to the Lord during my times alone with Him and learning His Voice and all that wonderful stuff that He does inside a person than I ever did in any Church.

Ho, sometimes, people going to Church IS there righteousness, rather than wrestling with GOD until he touches them in that quiet place. Even if they have to limp away from that experience in the wilderness, while all that time LOOKING for a Church to go to. Hoy.

Bless ya all. I can't make it to Church every Sunday because of my health, but I'll tell you, read brother Lawrence's book someday or some like it and get in the very Presence of Him who we're supposed to represent, and see if it compares with most of your Services.

And I love my local Church more than life but I wouldn't trade one day that God met me in my non-voluntary solitude before I found that Church.

Gotta go eat my donut now.

GrannieAnnie wrote:

I was Assembly of God, so, can you see I wasn't looking for Doctrinal agreements as much as a genuine Pastor. As in a Good Shepherd.

sorry but I had to re-edit. i accidently deleted the quote your mentioned Annie, I don't know what happen, except that I am a knuckle hea. You mentioned about not understanding what you and corey are going thru or have gone thru. Thats what I wanted to respond too. SOrry for the mess up!!

No I can relate more than you think. It has taken me ups and down to find a church that I love. I came to know the Lord in 95, went to a charismatic church, then another and another. then I worked for a "christian" company for a few years that later to find out was a cult!! They did not believe in the trinity or the deity of Jesus Christ, works is what saves you. It wasn't like that in the beginning, but slowly the light began to reveal what it truly was, so during that time I was under a lot of spiritual warfare. wondering what was right and who to trust. it was a dark time for me, I stoppped going to church. I was confused and felt so decieved. But God used it show me His word and discern everything against scripture. During that time of not having a church home to lean on made it so much more difficult. I realized that my walk was inconsistent and I did not agree with the charismatic style. I needed something that was sound doctrinally. I ended up in a baptist church community. I love it, I don't claim to be a baptist and never will. But I agree with their doctrine and felt I can trust it. Even then finding a church was hard, I couldn't fit, I felt like everyone had an agenda and they were only be Christian like because they had too! I just didn't trust anyone. But over time God softened my heart and began to let people in and if they hurt me, I can only give them my other cheek! I do not have the strength to worry if people like me or not, if I can trust them or not. I only know is to trust in Him alone and love him and love my neighbor. God has blessed me with a good church, as I stated before, its not perfect, but I know I am far from perfection.

Corey, be a man and get past all that. I am only telling you the truth. If you're going to survive as a child of God in this world you have to grow some thick skin.

You're right! Maybe I'll turn a new leaf. Which church should I go to? The one teaching Rick Warren's poison? Or maybe the on with the preacher caught in the financial scam...? No, wait! How about the church where the big fat man went up and prophecied new houses, cars, and better paying jobs for the congregation? Or perhaps the church where my mom witnessed the priest doing the thrice-over on a twelve-year-old girl?

I tried to make it funny. But it isn't. It's so dreadfully sad.

"Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins."

I am going to do my best not to come back to this post, I started this with a simple question and it has escalated into something more. What I am seeing is that we are forsaken local fellowship due to a handful of misguided preachers. I get angry with the Purpose Driven church mentality health and wealth doctrine and on and on. WE market Jesus all over the internet and books stores. You can get a bobble head Jesus now!! It is crazy! But for me I was willing to give up on church, thinking I have it right and they are wrong, I can not police the church community. WIll I compromise! No! If I disagree with something or the way, I will say what I think.

The trend I am seeing is that people will give up and not bother with church, because the are hypocrites, you know the saying, 'there is alway room for one more.' That is were the enemy will get a stronghold around people. If they can get them so mad at way church is and find so much fault in them, I bet I can get him or her to leave! And once that happens, before you know it, he will get you do something else.

I can't give up on my church, as much as I can get mad and upset with certain things I must wait on the Lord until he provides something else. Consider the story of Lot.

We must pray for our churches and pastors, I confess i don't do it enough. But I must for the sake of Jesus, and if he calls me out to another church I pray that I will go. I get grieved when we have to feel like we need to entertain people, have little drama's. you all know what I mean, We must pray, pray until the Lord comes.

Corey wrote:
You're right! Maybe I'll turn a new leaf. Which church should I go to? The one teaching Rick Warren's poison? Or maybe the on with the preacher caught in the financial scam...? No, wait! How about the church where the big fat man went up and prophecied new houses, cars, and better paying jobs for the congregation? Or perhaps the church where my mom witnessed the priest doing the thrice-over on a twelve-year-old girl?
I tried to make it funny. But it isn't. It's so dreadfully sad.

moe-mac
The local church needs people who desire to do HIS will and serve HIM. Corey we all have to pray, study HIS WORD, and wait until he puts that place where he wants us. At times that church membership may change and he will move you to where he wants you. You may stay there a lifetime. Many times we end up in a church and as we grow we want to exercise the gift God gave us. No one wants to stay in a church and won't be happy where they are if not given the opportunity to excerise their gift God has given them. That why SI is so cool to so many people, they are getting to use the gift God gave them. Our gift may be more than one gift. We all get one gift by grace at conversion gift, at least one gift. As for the case when we feel we are in a church and God directs us need to leave and go somewhere else. We need to leave that local church on good terms with no bitterness in our hearts. Regardless of the loss of confidence in the leadership, we are commanded to respect the authority God has given to the Pastor, Deacons and Elders as long as we are there. We can go in private talked to them and respectfully tell them how we disagree and with the same breath acknowledge their authority in that church. We need to have respect and mercy on those even if we feel are they in error. There is no way we could have as much mercy for our brothers and sisters than the Lord has had and constantly for all of us. Mercy is not getting what we do deserve. Grace is getting what we don't deserve. Hang in there and cry out to HIM and ask to HIM to direct you in where he would have you go and use the gift he has given you in the place he directs you and would have you to serve HIM.