Christian and Commitment in Church

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mochi

Senior Member
May 26, 2015
923
38
28
#1
Christian needs to make commitment in a church..

I talked with someone before and he told me that he dont need to make any commitment in any church and free to go to in any church.. i said about growing in 1 place, having community and each church has different vision and mission.. But he said that we all have 1 mission.. for Jesus Christ..
Hmmm..
what do you think??
 
M

Miri

Guest
#2
Interestingly one of our pastors (we have 4) included in a recent sermon
that we should be connected to God, not a church!

That as we go to church, we build each other up, iron sharpens iron etc and to have
fellowship with each other, grow and learn together etc. But that is all a waste if we
are not connected and don't have a relationship with God.

My own thoughts are that a bible believing church with good fellowship
is like an oasis in the world. But we don't need to go to church to have a
relationship with God.

There are some who live in remote places for example where there is no church.

I do think it is beneficial though to meet with other believers, this could be in
church or as part of a house group etc.
 

Consumed

Senior Member
Jun 4, 2015
112
1
0
#3
As human beings you don't have to do anything you don't want to. As a christian you don't have to behave a certain way. That's called freewill, and it's a gift (not a curse) from God. It's definitely extremely beneficial to behave a certain way. It's extremely beneficial for a believer to be a part of a church, and be involved in a church, but it doesn't mean they have to
 

Joidevivre

Senior Member
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
271
83
#4
Having been in many churches throughout my life, I never knew what real fellowship was until I discovered small groups meeting either in homes or within the church structure.

There is a type of fellowship (more of a social nature ) with all the potlucks and worshiping together in a church, although when I was young, it wasn't really worshiping to me to sing the song out of the hymn book (all 5 verses), and try to find out whether your best as an alto, soprano, tenor, etc. It felt more like telling a story about Jesus, or an invitation to come to Him. There was no honest sharing with each other the struggles they were going through or what they needed prayer for.

But I found a depth of fellowship in small groups or 8 or 12, where there still was teaching (followed by discussion) and prayer. Yet, the people opened up and shared their lives honestly, asked for prayer and were prayed for right on the spot. Even the ones who needed healing were ministered to through prayer by all the others in the group. Even the worship felt like Jesus was right in the middle of the room, and we were caught up in His presence. A time of just silence before Him felt good. And how special it is to pass communion to each other around a room. Great bonding.

Guess you can tell, I believe "good things come in small packages".

But, on the other side of the picture, I have attended retreats where 100 to 150 people are singing praises with overflowing hearts, and it sounds a little like it must in heaven. That's a good thing, too.
 

mochi

Senior Member
May 26, 2015
923
38
28
#5
Yes, thats what i mean.. in my church there is small group i call it community or connect group where we share, hang out and pray each other :) i found HOME there :) so then i make commitment to grow there and go church regulary..
 
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#6
Yes, thats what i mean.. in my church there is small group i call it community or connect group where we share, hang out and pray each other :) i found HOME there :) so then i make commitment to grow there and go church regulary..
I can't applaud the sentiment of the last four words, but I like the community idea.
 
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
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#8
I think you have the right intention.... but be careful how much "commitment" you might be offering to a particular group of people who meet at a certain place.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,555
13,320
113
#9
Interesting thread.... I have attended 'a' church consistently since I became a Christian, although I have changed congregations a few times. In one, I attended for seven years without becoming a member, because membership had some funky stuff attached to it. Presently I am a member of a local congregation, and attend there regularly... every week if I am in town. Membership has to do with voting, primarily. As to where and how I grow, I find that getting to know and be known by a group of fellow believers who pray for me and encourage me is important. That said, such is often found in small groups more consistently than large, impersonal congregations.

I think that consistent involvement in a local fellowship of believers is part of God's intention for us as believers. It doesn't work for everyone at all times, but I think it is normative. If a fellow believer refused local fellowship, I'd conclude that there is a problem they don't want to deal with. They don't need to attend 'my' church, but I think they should attend 'a' church. IMHO. :)

Blessings,
Dino
 

Angela53510

Senior Member
Jan 24, 2011
11,780
2,940
113
#10
The Bible does tell us to congregate together. What form that takes is another issue.

"not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Hebrews 10:25

We have pretty much always been attached to a local church, except a few years when my RA was so bad I could not get out of bed. Mostly, we became members, although not in every church. In some churches, we were members of small groups, in others we were not. I do like small groups, it is a good way to get to know people.

I sincerely hope we don't have to move again for a long time, so we can stay in the church we are in, since we moved here 6 months ago.
 
T

tanach

Guest
#11
Imagine feeling hungry and going to a cafe for a meal. You place your order and wait in anticipation for the meal to appear.
The waiter returns and plops a bowl of Baby Food in front of you. You would feel angry and upset. You would never go to that Cafe again. Suppose it happened not once but several times. You would stop eating out and eat at home. That is what it feels like when attending some churches Evangelical ones in particular. Thats why I donrt go to church.
 
M

Miri

Guest
#12
Imagine feeling hungry and going to a cafe for a meal. You place your order and wait in anticipation for the meal to appear.
The waiter returns and plops a bowl of Baby Food in front of you. You would feel angry and upset. You would never go to that Cafe again. Suppose it happened not once but several times. You would stop eating out and eat at home. That is what it feels like when attending some churches Evangelical ones in particular. Thats why I donrt go to church.

Maybe you feel you don't need them, but maybe they need you!
A church full of babes also needs teachers.

In my experience where a person shows themselves to be knowledgeble,
displays the fruits of the spirit and is willing to submit to Godly leadership,
then then are usually opportunities to lead bible studies, young
people's groups etc, even take Sunday services from time to time.

Here's the thing Christians growing together entails output as well as
input.

x
 
P

Practice-English

Guest
#13
I'll answer by being serious
about this topic,
For now, my opinion is :

(I'll explain it the better as I can do)

I prefer to not go at any
Sunday or Saturday churches
because :

I'm always confused
about the teaching,
the pastors, the others
who hang out etc...
The way, the method etc...
I had too much troubles.
I prefer to keep my eyes in Christ Alone.
Anyway.




 

mochi

Senior Member
May 26, 2015
923
38
28
#14
Thank you PE and everyone for your opinion.. I appreciate all of your opinion ^_^