ChristiansUnite Forums

Are you a church member?
Yes...Amazing Grace Lutheran Church (ELCA)...

Why did you join a church?

UMMMM...Why not?...peer pressure...I thought it would make me look cool...all my friends were doing it...it made me feel good...

not really...I go to a very friendly, down to earth, Bible believing Church...why not join...

Yes.   

Rom 12:4  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
Rom 12:5  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.



Eph 4:12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

   I am not a member of any denomination.I tried a couple of times,
but it seems like God was blocking my way,then it got through my
thick skull,that He didn't want me to be a part of a denomination,
because it divides,because some people who CALL themselves believers
don't like you because you are part of a different denomination and not
part of THEIR denomination.I am sorry I went on like that,that's my
opinion.That doesn't mean I don't like people who ARE part of a
denomination.I'd be VERY lonely if I did.


                            Yours in Yeshua,
                            curious

Hello Curious,

There are many churches that might be the answer to your objections.There are many churches that are known as Non-Denominational, and I'm sure that where you live would determine the number of choices you have.

I belong to a Non-Denominational church with just an address for a name. It's small, not very fancy, and the congregation is less than 200. Bible Study is the biggest priority, and it has been home for me for my entire life. The people are very friendly, and some of them have attended the same church since the doors opened in the 50s.

Curious, I just told you about the brick and mortar church that I enjoy, and I must tell you about the Real Church not made with human hands that I belong to. It is the CHURCH WHICH IS THE BODY OF CHRIST. All truly Saved Christians belong to this CHURCH for eternity, and CHRIST Himself is the HEAD. There are no denominations, differences, or disappointments in this CHURCH. Hosts of people have been members for hundreds or thousands of years.

Love In Christ,
Tom

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NASB  Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

       
               Dear bep:

          I know about Non-Denominational churches,but they don't usually have
      memberships though.I know about the TRUE church,but it sounded to me
      like Amisk was asking about brick & mortar church.I may be wrong,but that's
     what it sounded like to me.I used to go to a Non-Denominational denomination,
     but I was hurt BAD...............more than once.I'm a very sensitive person too.
          I am a part of the TRUE church,not a brick and mortar church,although it'd
     be nice to start going back to hear the Word,but I haven't able to.

                                           Yours in Yeshua,
                                           curious

Hello Curious,

You are right about my church. We don't have a formal membership role. Anyone who walks in is welcome. Further, we don't have pledges and we don't pass an offering plate. There are offering boxes at the back of the auditorium, and everything is handled completely by freewill offerings. We've always felt that some poor people who had nothing to give were embarrassed with things like this. In all reality, giving is and should be a private matter between the person and God. We know what the Holy Bible says about giving or doing good works for the recognition of men.

I understand about being hurt at church. Not knowing the details, I would simply say that all churches are different, including Non-Denominational churches. You might just keep trying various churches until you find one that is comfortable for you. There are really many variables to consider, but the most important ones are always WORSHIP, PRAISE, THANKS, PRAYER, AND STUDY. I will pray that God leads you to a church.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Romans 1:17 NASB  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Matthew 11:28-30 The Message

Ah, welll. Sorry you don't approve.
"Well done is better than well said." Benjamin Franklin  ;)

Are you, by any chance, in Alberta?  :)  

It was my home. Is it your's.

No.  :)

Brothers and Sisters,

I felt led to ask some questions, so here goes:

First, everything keys on a single word, REST

1 - Where is our REST?

2 - Is our REST in a brick and mortar church building?

3 - Is our REST on the Sabbath?

4 - Is our REST in religion?

5 - Did I ask any of these questions correctly?  NO!
___________________________________

1 - Who is our Sabbath?  JESUS CHRIST

2 - Who is our REST?  JESUS CHRIST

3 - Who is our ALL-IN-ALL?  JESUS CHRIST

Brothers and Sisters, these are the beautiful and precious facts. I could have asked many more questions, but I only want to ask and answer a couple more.

4 - Who is our only WAY to PEACE with GOD?  JESUS CHRIST

5 - Who holds us forever in REST and PEACE with GOD?  JESUS CHRIST

Brothers and Sisters, I know this is very simple, but it is also very true. We started with one word, "REST". We added a second word, "PEACE". If you think about this, you really can't have REST without PEACE. The beautiful part is WHO provides this REST and PEACE as a GIFT that we could never earn. The final two words are "JESUS CHRIST", and "JESUS CHRIST" is the only Victory and Finality for children of GOD.

Brothers and Sisters, there is really a lengthy and beautiful Bible Study that could be done on these few words. I want to simply mention a few thoughts for your additional study.

THE OLD TESTAMENT SABBATH was simply a SHADOW of WHO was yet to come. The SABBATH did involve a temporary REST. JESUS CHRIST came and died on the Cross for our sins. Those who accept JESUS CHRIST as LORD and SAVIOUR enter into an Eternal REST in JESUS. As a fact and reality for children of GOD, JESUS CHRIST is our SABBATH.

OLD TESTAMENT SACRIFICES AND BURNT OFFERINGS were offered to GOD for forgiveness of sins. These sacrifices were done often and they were only temporary ways for sinners to make peace with GOD. These sacrifices were a SHADOW of WHO was yet to come. JESUS CHRIST came and died on the Cross for our sins. JESUS CHRIST was the ONLY PERFECT AND HOLY SACRIFICE WHO COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO PERMANENT PEACE WITH GOD. Those who accept JESUS CHRIST as LORD and SAVIOUR are seen in and through JESUS CHRIST. The righteousness, perfection, and sinless Holiness of JESUS CHRIST is our PERMANENT PEACE WITH GOD. We, ourselves, would never have any of these qualities that bring about PERMANENT PEACE WITH GOD. Our own righteousness is as filthy rags, and this is the reason why JESUS CHRIST and the CROSS is the most important and precious event in human history. We don't look for our own righteousness, rather we live in and through the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF JESUS CHRIST. Only JESUS CHRIST can make us fit for PEACE WITH GOD.

The conclusion is very simple:



Love In Christ,
Tom

Colossians 1:9-12 NASB  For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

John 17:11 NASB  "I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are.

Romans 15:1-3 NASB  Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME."

1 John 1:3 NASB  what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:6 NASB  For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.