Why then has this people turned away in perpetual backsliding? They hold fast to deceit; they refuse to return.(Jeremiah 8:5 – ESV)
The local church helps you grow, and in it you are to help others grow. Together you grow as individuals and you grow together as a unit. Another important aspect of the local church is that it is also there to help keep you and others from backsliding. You may say, “well I am not backslidden or backsliding” but if you aren’t involved in a local church you are already backslidden friend. You need to slide right back into church, pronto!
“Are you saying that I am going to hell if I don’t go to church?” No, I am not, but what I am saying is this; if that is all you are concerned about then I am concerned about you. You need to think more clearly about why the Apostles worked so hard to establish local churches; it wasn’t so that no one would gather together. It wasn’t because we as believers didn’t need them. It certainly wasn’t because Christ didn’t want them to, or want us there. That means you and I both.
People speak of the terrible burden of church. Actually it is a terrible burden to have the whole load on your own back. There is no way you could handle that even if you did have the strength, remember, your back is already busy, you are using it to slide…
20 comments:
“Pronto?”
Who are you & what are what have you done with JD Hatfield?
Seriously, good post, partner!
"You need to slide right back into church, pronto!"
I'll be there. No excuses.
You crack me up Steve...I'm right here, but Margie says that sounded unusual to her too...
See you soon, Paul...
I can never understand where some people get the idea that Church attendance is optional. In my humble opinion, a lack of faithfulness to the regular assembling of the local Church is symptomatic of a far more serious spiritual problem.
I have been enjoying this series of posts. You are a very gifted writer. Keep it up!
Excellent post, Even So. I go to a church were about 30% of the people do 100% of the service. Meanwhile, some people just sit. Others are disgruntled because the church (of which they are members) holds them accountable for the absence. Their feathers get ruffled because people want to know why they've been absent week after week.
Garry:
I'm with you 100% on this statement: In my humble opinion, a lack of faithfulness to the regular assembling of the local Church is symptomatic of a far more serious spiritual problem.
I have a friend right now who has been noticeably absent from church. I thought it was just her issues with the pastor, but I've come to see that it is indeed a bigger issue.
wasn't pronto the lone ranger's sidekick?
Thanks Garry, we are going to have several more posts...
Daniel, very nice, very nice....
Kim, 30% do the work, not bad, really, or unfortunately, I should say, I guess...this is probably at least par for the course...but I would rather have them sit idle in church than sit isolated at home...
Muy bien.
I don't know exactly why, but reading this post, I remembered a disgruntled church person's situation. I hope he does the right thing.
Whatever the percentge is for the particular church, it usually reflects exactly the number of people who come out regularly for the weekly prayer meeting (assuming one's church has such a meeting).
It seems to me that there are always to factions in the church the faction that prays together and the faction that strays together.
True that, Daniel...I hope so too, Craver...
Everybody needs to check out the link in the post above I just linked to...Pastor Brad hits the nail on the proverbial perseverance head...
Good post JD. It sounds like Ed is rubbing off on you a little bit! Maybe it is time to go back up to the ranch and try that whole horse riding thing again!
Back to the subject. I need our church family and the support. If I am away from the fellowship for more than a couple of days I suffer in my walk. Some people do not understand that they can't make it on their own. Some seem to think that they are a superman or something. Problem is that the devil is holding kryptonite.
The posted comments about "going to church" are all valid/truthful/relevent IF the church is focused on Jesus. Any other focus causes all sorts of divisions, dissensions and discord. (IMHO) Sorry folks, but I've seen alot of the latter.
That doesn't mean you have an excuse...find a good one...improve a shaky one...start a church...
If YOU (meaning anyone) are focused on Jesus, then God will get you to focus on getting people of like minded faith to fellowship with...and He will bring them into focus...
JD, I saw this in the sidebar and clicked. I wonder what you think of George Barna's book "Revolution"? I think he makes some very good points regarding where the church has been, is and where it's going.
I think there is some truth in the idea that many people are finding their own walk with Christ uplifted and find their ministry fulfilled apart from the formal "confines" of the denominational, non-denominational, protestant, evangelical church. (I know it's been true in my own life).
You are looking at the idea of Believers leaving the church and backsliding. I think Barna sees that many Believers are leaving the formal church to "become the church." They find the formal church structure limiting in its complacency and it makes them complacent.
Any thoughts? Peace, Kim
Bless you for reading this, and I hope I can answer in a way that you will not find offensive...
I think Barna is taking a ride and taking us on a ride, he is the one who had talked so highly of mega churches before, and now this...you should read Al Mohler's critique of his book, and others' as well...it isn't that all of what Barna says is bad, but so many are leaving because they are in rebellion, they should stay and help, not go away and hide or try and improve their personal spirituality without establishing or attending another church, this shows a lack of accountability and responsibility, Christ didn't intend us to have an a la carte Christianity, after all...
Perhaps this isn't you, but I really think, since you asked, that you should read ALL of the articles I have posted on the subject, keep your nose in your bible, and pray real hard about it...I am sure you already are, and that perhaps this is God using providential means to help answer you...I will be coming out with another article called Playing House that more directly answers this question...there ARE still good churches out there...
For His Glory and In His Grace
JD
Your points are well taken but we need to be careful lest the spirit of pride creep in because we think we're better church-attending Christians than others. Today, many are "assembling together" at home due to the lack of sound biblical teachings in many churches. If it's not legalism, it's mystical contemplative spiritual formation we have to guard against. I'm blessed to live in an area where there are several good, sound churches, BUT I have also gone through seasons of my life when due to chronic illness, I had to stay home. I've also experienced the wounding of other Christians so much, that gathering with them was painful. We shoot our wounded, then accuse them of backsliding. Not every person who stops attending church has done so out of rebellion.
Not every person who stops attending church has done so out of rebellion.
Thank you for commenting, and of course not...however, if you would, please read the rest of the articles to get a more robust understanding of this issue from our (and we hope biblical) perspective...
Sometimes we get hurt but we should still stay...I have addressed your concerns in other posts, it is quite a long series, I know, but worth the read, I've been told...
I haven't addressed the "home church" scenario yet, but intend to soon...
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