How many SermonIndex-ers are in a church?

I was curious how many people here are part of a fellowship of believers that regularly meets, could be a formal "church," house church, or if not at all. If you are comfortable sharing, please do.

Since I asked, I am in a formal church that also meets midweek in homes.

NOT AT ALL is my vote!

I am not in a formal church and have not been for at least four years. I do meet at the local jail every Wednesday night, we worship together and share the word and God is good! That has been and is my church right now!

There is one church I go to 'when I go' to formal church but I am not a member and they don't consider me one either! I just show up!

God bless,
Lisa

Yes, my wife and I fellowship with believers at a local congregation. However, we feel the liberty to fellowship with believers at other congregations from time-to-time too.

I go to a church, possibly a "house" church, not sure what it is. We meet in a building on sundays though, so perhaps that throws us out of the house church mingle?

It's a blessing to be part of a body of believers.

We are in a formal church, though we are not members. Some of our best years though were when we were in a house church for about 4 years.

Curious as to why you ask the question....

Attend a church, am a member, and believe in "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together". With that said, I believe the only membership that is necessary for heaven is being born again.

I lead a House Church on Tuesdays. A bunch of House Churchs meet on Sundays to worship together, but it is not traditional, and it is not charismatic.

Don't attend a church now. Did attend a very large Baptist church but kept leaving grieved. Where do I find a home church?

I am going to a Baptist church whose pastor is Nondenominational so he is more open to other views and denominations. We currently have a large variety of denominations going to the church which is kind of interesting at times. We have small groups Sunday evening and midweek service for youth.

We are members of a brotherhood that is part of a larger one, the Biblical Mennonite Alliance.

Wednesday evenings we have cell groups - something that was started over a year ago and we love it. It is informal, just like a Sunday School class but with some structure.

Our brotherhood is not perfect because the devil is working hard to destroy it. But then, humanly speaking, we are all imperfect people who are in the process of being changed from glory to glory - can get messy at times.

We have communion once a year. In this service we also wash each others feet - literaly. Since Jesus instituted communion just prior to his crucifixion, we have communion services the Wednesday before Resurrection Day. I love this service - taking of the fruit of the vine, the unleavened bread and the feet washing (males with males, females with females).

In the summer we have Vacation Bible School. During the school year we have kid's clubs. Now this is a challenge in every sense of the word. May not be much but our brotherhood is small but this is where the LORD would have us at the moment.

ginnyrose

EDIT: Health permitting we attend all worship services. It is not just an ocassional, "when I feel like" attendance. We need the fellowship and support of like-minded brothers and sisters. Many times on Sundays we may visit each other informally in the homes. Have people in for lunch or supper when there is no service.

Got more then you asked for, didn't you? Can get long-winded at times...SIGH

I am joined to a local body of believers, and frequently meet on Sunday mornings, and then at homes and coffee shops throughout the rest of the week.

After wandering around for a couple of months we found a fellowship where we are going to settle. The word is good, and I go to the mid week prayer meeting. We have family devotions and I lead a fellowship in a nearby University.

I was not in a Church for a long time. Hit and miss then went to care for Mother for 3 years. God heard the cry of my heart for true fellowship with true Christians. He brought me here to SI. Then to this town - just passing through but have not left. Glory to God.

He took me downtown to be part of "Church without walls". Ministering to the less fortunate. He has taken me to a Church where we pray, pray and pray. Reach out, literally to the lost & hurting. The pastor's heart is prayer & the lost. My passion. So I am thrilled to be there. Non Denominational. Living Waters Church.

And we have a home group of the people ministering with Church without walls downtown a couple times a month. We all attend different Churches. Today we are going to break bread - communion. And share a meal. Glory to God.

Our goal is to get out of the way and allow the Holy Spirit to actually be in charge. Praying we can do this. So far we are in awe of what the Lord is doing downtown.

The Lord takes the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. The only credentials we have is that we all have a passion for Jesus and to see the lost saved.

I would say to those without fellowship to pray and tell God your heart. Stay close to Him in Word & worship and be faithful to Him. He does hear and He will bring you into the fellowship you long for. I can testify of that. All glory to God!

KingJimmy....I am joined to a local body of believers, and frequently meet on Sunday mornings, and then at homes and coffee shops throughout the rest of the week.

Amen! Brother same here, by the way "we" are the Church, without us there it's just a building.

I know some of the saints do not even go to a church at all in America and canada right now because of the situation spiritually. I agree it can be hard to fellowship at some churches and be encouraged.

But my prayer is for every brother and sister to at least find a church they can go to once a week to submit to the leadership and find some direction even if you feel like David under Saul.

Those are very good points, Greg.

I am often reminded of the "Hebrews 10:25" rationale for Church fellowship. However, I think that it is important to remember the verse just before it too.

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
- Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

"and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."
- Hebrews 10:24-25 (NASB)

"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
- Hebrews 10:24-25 (KJV)

I think that one of the things that is often missed is the admonition to ENCOURAGE (EXORT) one another. It seems that this is one of the purposes of fellowshipping with one another. Our rationale for meeting together isn't just to be taught -- because, by this time, we ought to be teachers (Hebrews 5:12). Rather, it is to encourage one another.

I have fellowshipped with several congregations since I met the Lord as a teenager. I have noticed that some congregations are merely "indoctrination centers" where the motivation seems to make "disciples" -- but merely of the church's particular sets of doctrines. I have noticed that some were so "loose" in their fellowship that you felt like a stranger in the midst and that nothing important was really said...and that you walked out not really knowing the point of going in the first place.

Still, I have attended small congregations where the greatest strength of the congregation didn't come from outreach projects, dynamic teaching, exciting programs or vibrant worship. Rather, the substance was found in a group of people who either know God (or want to know Him) and who simply encourage one another. I think that I found more comfort and vigor in such meetings than the others.

I have read about congregations in persecuted places (like China, Cuba, or Islamic nations). I have fellowshipped with congregations in extremely poor places. I have met with the indigenous Tarahumara believers in the rugid Sierra Madre mountains of southwestern Chihuahua, Mexico. The Tarahumara Church literally met beneath a certain tree. I think that I felt more of the Lord and First Century Biblical Christianity (if that makes sense) there than in the modern institutions found in many churches in the United States.

I pray that believers in Western nations (like the United States, UK and Canada) can discover the unity and strength that comes from simply encouraging one another in the love of Christ. We don't have to be in poverty or persecution to participate in such encouragement. Oh, that the Church could ever get a hold of such encouragement!

I work at an urban mission & church plant and we have Sunday Morning Worship along with weekly Bible study, youth ministries, house Bible studies and numerous neighborhood service. It's a very tight Acts-like community of believers at the core and then extends as people desire to serve.

by mama27

Curious as to why you ask the question....

I was prompted to the idea based upon a post in another thread, rather than addressing it there and derailing that thread's topic, I opened a new one. It peaks my interest for reasons similar to what Greg and Ginny described: accountability, fellowship with believers, etc. I think those things are important, but the negative spiritual climate Greg described is also very real. So I was wondering how people coped with these things.

Yes, I fellowship at a local Calvary Chapel, we meet formally on Sunday mornings and evenings, and also Wednesday evening. There are some dear brothers and sisters in Christ there and I thank God for what He has done there.

I would like very much to be a part of a fellowship along the lines of what TA Sparks wrote about. As you may know he was a Baptist minister but left as a result of what he called a deep work of the cross. He felt led to abandon institutional religion of his day. He then wrote about what he called the "organic church"...

Thus, having set aside all the former system of organised Christianity, we committed ourselves to the principle of the organic. No ‘order’ was ‘setup’, no officers or ministries were appointed. We left it with the Lord to make manifest by ‘gift’ and anointing who were chosen of Him for oversight and ministry. The one-man ministry has never emerged. The ‘overseers’ have never been chosen by vote or selection, and certainly not by the expressed desire of any leader. No committees or official bodies have ever existed in any part of the work. Things in the main have issued from prayer. We are very conscious that mistakes have been made, but the result of these has only served to re-emphasize the above principles.”

Very well said. God wants us to understand authority; we must be careful that in leaving churches we aren't taking ourselves out from under the authority our Shepherd has placed over us to instruct, mold and maybe discipline us.

Watchman Nee had some things to say about this topic in one of his three books about church. My wife is asleep so I can't go and look for it right now :)...but I recall him saying something to the effect that if a church sanctioned by the Lord has sent a group of believers out then they are a church also, otherwise they are not to be considered a church.

Now I will have to make sure of this another time.

I left the Southern Baptist church we attended roughly six months ago. I was the hold out in my family for I desperately believe in the necessity of fellowship. I came to Christ 3 years ago after being in the church for 30. It did not go well after that but I will spare you the details. We fellowship at home and study God's living words. I fellowship with a running partner who still attends my old church. My sister is a sister with whom I am in continual contact with, as she has a wonderful heart for Christ. When we left our church, I felt the immediate need to get right back into another, but now I know that was motivated more by habit and a form of guilt than anything else. I was most concerned as the spiritual leader of my family that by not having them in formal church, they would be missing out. God has given me more in this time than I could have ever imagined. He has been so gracious and more than faithful. I cannot praise and thank Him enough. I want my children to desire Christ more than anything else I can think of. Maybe God will lead us to an organic home group or whatever. Right now I take it day by day and thank God daily for my new life and all He has so graciously provided. He is faithful.

but the negative spiritual climate Greg described is also very real. So I was wondering how people coped with these things.

I have read most of the posts, but I am wondering how people cope with the negative spiritual climate. I may have missed it, but haven't seen that addressed really.

When I attended a Revival Conference at Indianapolis, I thought that if only we could find a church like that. Not in our area, that is for sure! Makes heaven all the dearer :)

I am a member of a local assembly of God church. It is a very good church, I am very happy serving in this local body and I would encourage everyone to find a local church to get involved in and serve!

I am a member of a local church.It's a russian speaking pentecostal congregation,with strong links to a large brotherhood in former soviet union republics and baltic states.We are also friends with many other congregations.we have 1 meeting on sunday morning,also 3 meeting during the week,2 prayer meetings + Bible study.I really thank God for my church here.

Standing with Jesus - on the outside of the building for all our Christian life 25+ years

Still in the church I was saved in almost 6 years ago. My wife and I sit on the elder board as well.

We're a very young church (7 years I think), and we're based on a university campus, with no building. We meet most often in our Pastor's house for studies, but Sunday services are on the campus in a theatre.

It's a real struggle sometimes to submit here. I'm much more a traditional Christian and into old-school revivals, while the bulk of the church is more backgrounded in Charimatic circles. We're independent, and I'm still torn whether that's a good thing or a bad thing (for the reason's Brother Greg pointed out in his post). I keep telling myself I'm part of the body to help keep them balanced. In the end, it gives me a great outlet to teach, minister, and pray with those who need it.

I'm a member of a Baptist church.

I serve there as often as I can.

-Mike W.

After heart breaking experiences with dead churches, prayed earnestly what to do now, God lead to a Mennonite church with harmless people, yet in need of reviving still.

We are far too spiritual to submit to others in an organized fellowship.Every time we have gone to a building that houses a church group.we find ourselves disappointed in the lack of spirituality that we alone possess.Therefore we will keep looking (and never finding) a group of believers that have arrived as we have.

In many cases it is not a matter of lack of submission that people leave the churches. At least in my case it was not. But true followers of Christ are persecuted in the church today. It is not physical persecution as in other parts of the world, but it is persecution nonetheless.

Their very existence is a threat to the false whether they say anything or not.

Their wandering as pilgrims to find a home is not due to spiritual pride but holy discontentment that the Lord Himself places in their heart.

Hi All,
DH and i are part of an American Baptist church. I love them to bits but atimes, they just grieve my poor soul to bits too!
The pastors love the Lord but sometimes.....sigh!

So unless the Lord directs us elsewhere, we'll be there for the foreseeable future.

My Lord Jesus saved me and gave me His precious Spirit two years ago when I was cycling in this beautiful French countryside. My wife has a religious background (high anglican), but has not yet found the Lord for herself. She is diabetic and semi invalid.

As far as I know there are no christians within 100 miles of here. There are lots of catholic churches and lots of atheists, a real mission field. So I just wait on the Lord day by day and He feeds me and speaks such wonderful things to me, that it’s quite like heaven. And SI and other sites are a real blessing and encouragement.

David

Thanks so much for posting the question. I have wondered the church affiliation of SI subscribers myself. I hear such great sermons on this site and have been encouraged by it and many of you for years. Although things in my church aren't stellar, I've decided to trust God to bring revival where I'm at and use me in any way possible to serve as a catalyst. While I still get frustrated at times, it has been amazing to what God is doing. I could give details but would get writer's cramp. I truly believe at times that we are on the threshold of genuine revival in a traditional church environment. I have several friends who have already given up on church as usual and have encouraged me to start a house church with the attitude that doing anything else is sinful. I've got no issue with those who choose that path, just don't make it mandatory for the rest of us.

The Lord has had me as part of a Plymouth Brethren Assembly for the past few years but He has taken me to many different churches over the years.

For all of those who believe that revival is going to come to their church, please listen to this sermon, it is an awesome testimony of a man who thought the same thing.

Revival Forum - George Middlebrook
https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=10853&commentView=itemComments

If you are not honest with yourself, do not listen to this... it might shake you up!

God bless us all as we seek revival in our lives,
Sister Lisa

hi, i am so sorry to see areas with no great churches in them. i live in a town with a dozen great churches of differing denominations that preach the gospel and minister to the flock in a mighty way. most of these churches are in fellowship with each other and help each other in times of need.the church i call my church is a church with youth cell groups in about every jr. high and hish school and college in the area that ministers to 7000 young people with the true gospel of Jesus.we also baptize an average of 50 to 60 new believers a week. we have started 20000 churches around the world in the last 10 years.we have been a possitive influence on our town and you have never heard of us.jimp