In my last post, "Growing On Your Own," my good friend, Kevin, raised an interesting point with this comment: "Statistically, many Americans already believe they don't need the church in order to be spiritually growing people. And that's the problem. The church doesn't fit into the growth plan of most people who want to be spiritual."I'd like to know what you think about this. Do you want to be spiritual? And if so, does the church fit into this desire?
Do you think "most" people who want to be spiritual think they can accomplish this without the church? And a bigger question is, "Can this be accomplished without the church?"
Look forward to hearing what you think about this issue! And gentlemen, (or ladies), don't hold back!
And for those who live outside the US, I'm curious about how committed you see the Christians in your country are toward the church?
6 Intelligent Responses:
I believe it's the same... Just like in the United States, here in The Netherlands, People often think that they don't need the church to grow spiritually.
So much people think that by following a service on the TV on sunday, reading some blogs and watching some christian videos on youtube it's enough for them to be a christian and to grow spiritual.
I think that the bible is very clear when it speaks about the christians/church beeing a body. The body consist of a lot of individual parts that are combined as one.
We need each other! How could you be a disciple if you don't have a pastor/teacher... How can you serve if you don't have people to who you can be a serveant for...
Did anyone heard about one soldier who wanted to go to a battle all alone?... those are the persons who think they don't need the church.
If for some reason you can not go to your church when it does not exist anymore, you as a christian are responsible for your own salvation and christian life. You must do everything to find a good Gospel centered church where you can go to be equipped and trained to keep growing spiritually.
Every wise christian knows he can not live a victorious life without his church.
TMD, You are so Right by saying that the church is a training center and a place where we can be equipped. That it is!!!.
Hey Jurino,
Interesting to hear that Netherland-Christians are more or less the same as American ones.
I agree, too many people feel they don't need the church to grow, and that can lead to apathy or back-sliding. The church, local assemblies, is Christ's body given to help His followers fulfill His mission.
Since I have come out of my ‘Church’ I have learned more and grown faster in Christ than in the 14 years I poured myself into the busy work of the church.
That is not to say I have not had overseers, counselors and instructors in the Lord. Just that I have chosen them very carefully.
In the area I live there is no church that I have found that’s not greatly wanting. So I have chosen people I am closest to - that I respect and see true fruit and purity in their lives and children’s lives ( in secret) - to instruct me and have sought councilors within this same format. God had been very generous; I have more then I can keep up with. Praise!!
So many churches today are hypocritical and reek with the smell of the world. They are trying to be so comfortable to everyone that they become just like them.
I believe we need others, I believe in a good church family, I just don’t believe we should go to church just to say we do.
Have a home church. Honor the Lord in secret and He will reveal to you the people He would have you commune with to accomplish His Glory. We need to be reading our bibles at home and seeking God’s will not the will of the church that is so often ran by man for his glory.
Seek first the Kindom then all else will be provided.
The word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
Hi Theresa,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the subject. It's good to hear that you've grown closer to the Lord while "on your own" or "in between" churches. I think it should be that way.
Too many Christians rely on their church, local, to be their lifeline to Christ and the source of their growth, instead of relying the church, universal, as we are never disconnected from that church.
Christ is sufficient, but if possible, be connected to a local assembly that is faithful to the word and faithful to the Lord!
Be blessed!
Believers absolutely must be committed to the Church, the body of Christ, in order to grow spiritually. This doesn't necessarily have to be in a building in a conventional church setting, however. The traditional church building idea carries little weight in my generation, it is not appealing nor is it often helpful for our spiritual growth. Local churches have turned evangelism into "come and see," when it is supposed to be "go and tell."
Local churches spend a majority of their resources on building costs, expansion, staff salary, programs and agendas, etc. If the church operated more like a mission, a majority of it's funds would be spent in the community directly on spreading the Gospel.
95% of all church budgets in the US are spent on our own comforts and programs. Less than 1% is spent on evangelism to the most unreached. (this figure comes from William Carey University, a small missions college in Pasadena, CA that is widely considered the college of choice for those in the missions field wanting additional training and support).
This is why I don't support most local churches. Because their priorities are wrong. People already pay for homes, why pay more for a fancy building?
NO THEY ARE NOT!!!!!!
I ma an american and i have been a christian since 1994 i have seen church seperations that would curl or straighten your hair its to easy for them to join another church that doesn't care about their past relations of other chruches they dont even care about the person they just want their high head count no matter how they get it or who is hurtthey just dont care . love is how we are to be identified cant do that if your running
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