“People who state they can hear God clearly without going to church are being deceived and there is nothing like self-deception because that person is ultimately right, just asked them.”

“IS IT NOT SAD WHEN WE BECOME SO LAZY THAT WE DON’T WON’T TO GET UP AND GO TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD”

“I hear so many people defend not going to church. If you notice their defense is full of holes.”

“I point to a lack of accountability in a person’s life. No one is going to tell them what to do.”

These harsh comments from the “you must go to church” advocates convince me even more that it is not the place for me.

And if, as one person said, “The church is to equip the believer so that they will do the work of the ministry,” (to which I say AMEN!) and a church was actually doing that, rather than training people to sit in parallel pews and listen . . . God just might lead some of us who are “out” to come “in.” But, until then, no thanks.

Rather than take a defensive posture, if local “church” leaders would just LISTEN to what we “out of churchers” are saying, they just might hear what the Lord is saying to the “church.”

Ken R. Anderson

They say you remember 10% of what you hear, 50% to 60% of what you see and hear and 70% or more what you teach. It convinced me to keep the PowerPoint.

People who state they can hear God clearly without going to church are being deceived and there is nothing like self-deception because that person is ultimately right, just asked them.

The bible tells that we should gather the more as we see the day approaching but people have gathered less and appointed themselves as the personal savior. The church is to equip the believer so that they will do the work of the ministry. It point to a lack of accountability in a person’s life. No one is going to tell them what to do.

Scripturally, what does the word “church” mean? The “church” is the body of Christ. (“And He ((Jesus Christ)) is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence. Colossians 1:17-18 KJV) The “church” or “body of Christ” is made up of all persons who confess with their mouths the Lord Jesus, and believe in their hearts that God has raised Him from the dead. (“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9 KJV)

The word “church,” as in Colossians 1:17, appears seventy-seven times in the King James Version, all in the New Testament. The Hebrew word translated “church,” Strong’s Number 1577, is ekklesia (ek-klay-see’-ah); from a compound of NT:1537 and a derivative of NT:2564; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both). A pastor we know says the ekklesia are “the called out ones.”

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV God is teaching us to change the way we speak, and our desire is to be scripturally correct without being critical or legalistic. Can we change what has commonly been called “the church” to “the local body of Christ” or “the congregation” or “the assembly” or “a gathering of believers” or “the called out ones” or “those who have been saved?” Can we change “unchurched” to “unsaved?”

God continues to “sanctify and cleanse it (the Church, the Body of Christ) with the washing of water by the Word.” (see Ephesians 5:26) What about Hebrews 10:25, then, which says, “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?” KJV If we are not “going to church,” have we forsaken assembling together? We don’t believe we have. Sadly, much of what is considered and spoken of as “the church” today is merely the religious establishment. Are we assembled or gathered together right now in the name of Jesus, and is He in our midst? “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20 KJV

God has given us much more on this topic, and we have written an essay at His web site, Harvest Ministry, called “Are You Going to Church?” at http://www.harvestministry.us/view/?pageID=236403

May God give you the eyes to see Him and the ears to hear His call to intimacy through His Holy Spirit. May the blessings of God’s peace rest upon you as you ponder in your heart and mind what the Holy Spirit is saying to His Church today.

I confess I must take issue with the original article when it refers to being “out of church” as a “problem.” I have been a non-church going Christian for over a year, and I can assure you that when it is done in the will of God, it is anything but a problem.

But I disagree even more so with those who have so glibly quoted Hebrews 10:25, and sadly judged those of us who no longer attend “church” as uncommitted, lazy, and disobedient to the Word of God. How presumptious for them to think they know my heart, or my motives. If I was looking for a reason to “forsake” the “church,” attacks such as those would surely be more than enough.

Do I believe I have really “forsaken” assembling together the way the Lord wants. No, I do not believe I have. Instead, I believe most Christian gatherings are far removed from what the Word is refering to when it talks about meeting together. I think that if the Apostle Paul were to visit most “churches” he would address the assembled and ask, “What in the world do you think you are doing.”

It is not persons such as myself who have “forsaken” meeting in a scriptural manner. The church has. And I have little interest in participating.

Interestingly, most of the New Testament was written by men who were unable to be “in church” on Sunday to worship with the beloved. St. Paul wrote most of his epistles from prision. And John was in exile on Patmos when he wrote the Book of Revelation. Neither had been “in church” for a long, long time when the Holy Spirit moved upon them to write.

Ken

Plus, while I think the Internet is a great way to reach the unsaved, unchurched and dying world, we should also steer those who come to a saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to a local church body where they can have actual interaction with fellow believers, opportunities to serve the Body of Christ, and to grow a a disciple.

Staying at home and getting all of your spiritual nourishment from TV, radio or Internet preachers does a great disservice to the body of Christ.

The one, local church, is still the best way to establish relationships, fellowship with other Christians and develop and utilize spiritual gifts. This also promotes the requirement of scripture in Hebrews 10:25…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. NIV. D Tyler Brown, author, producer and gospel spoken word artist.