Local church

[Tintin]

Our church requires a fee for headcount "sign on the line members", as most denominations do. However, many churches, including mine, don't actually require you to pay it, but rather take it out of the general offering plate. I refuse to sign on the dotted line for any denomination, I don't like the concept of denominations and I think it's unscriptural. But the error doesn't keep me from gathering in a denomination or my church. What keeps me in a local church my love for the body and the bodies love for me, and correct doctrine on the essentials of coarse.

BTW, no one is required to become a certified member, and I'm treated just as if I were one.

Uh. That doesn't sound right. The only reason a person should have to leave their details with the church is if they need to get in contact with you because you need help or want to learn more about Jesus. Even that should be voluntary.

 

[Bookends]

...........................................Nope.

and your local church doesn't pay denomination fees, may I ask what denomination you are affiliated with?

 

[Bookends]

Uh. That doesn't sound right. The only reason a person should have to leave their details with the church is if they need to get in contact with you because you need help or want to learn more about Jesus. Even that should be voluntary.

maybe I worded it wrong, local denominational churches pay into the denomination to support the overhead. Either way you look at, they pay to support regional pastors, clerks, treasures, literature etc. and in many cases the local church doesn't make it clear to members that these dues are actually paid. If you belong to a denomination, you should ask if the church pays into the denomination to belong to the denomination (and they usually base the fee on church membership count, per head).

 

[Willie-T]

and your local church doesn't pay denomination fees, may I ask what denomination you are affiliated with?

Yes, they pay a percentage of their intake. I attend The Vineyard.

 

[Bookends]

Yes, they pay a percentage of their intake. I attend The Vineyard.

Ok then, they pay in, not by headcount or membership, but even non members pay into the denomination if they give an offering. Either way you look at it, your paying dues to the denomination.

I save my church some money by not being a "certified" member, lol...although some of my giving goes towards other members dues, the church pays 64 dollars less because I won't become a legit member.

 

[Willie-T]

Ok then, they pay in, not by headcount or membership, but even non members pay into the denomination if they give an offering. Either way you look at it, your paying dues to the denomination.

I save my church some money by not being a "certified" member, lol...although some of my giving goes towards other members dues, the church pays 64 dollars less because I won't become a legit member.

I found our church only because of the Denomination's website. So, that, alone, makes it worthwhile to me and my family. Also, they pay part of the costs of various speakers and workshop hosts to visit the churches in the denomination.

 

[Complete_In_Him]

I don't go to a church, it's by choice, not excuse, laziness, etc, but choice.

Does that make me any less an ambassador of Christ? No, it doesn't. As a saved person and a workman, am I not entrusted with the word of life? Yes, I am. And taught, through study of the scriptures, by the Godhead, an effective Christian. [SUP]

[/SUP]And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? come out from among them "and be ye separate", ambassadors do not assimilate under banners of the worldly systems of Christendom, absolutely not.

I fellowship, "where two or three are gathered in my name", amen.

 

[Tintin]

maybe I worded it wrong, local denominational churches pay into the denomination to support the overhead. Either way you look at, they pay to support regional pastors, clerks, treasures, literature etc. and in many cases the local church doesn't make it clear to members that these dues are actually paid. If you belong to a denomination, you should ask if the church pays into the denomination to belong to the denomination (and they usually base the fee on church membership count, per head).

Ah, okay. Thanks for clearing that up. I belong to the Lutheran Church Australia, Missouri Synod, but my local church would possibly be considered LutherCostal.

 

[Willie-T]

I think the Denomination gets 10%.

So, if you consider the average family contribution at 10%..........10% of 10% is 0.01. Not really a huge amount.

 

[Tintin]

I don't go to a church, it's by choice, not excuse, laziness, etc, but choice.

Does that make me any less an ambassador of Christ? No, it doesn't. As a saved person and a workman, am I not entrusted with the word of life? Yes, I am. And taught, through study of the scriptures, by the Godhead, an effective Christian. [SUP]

[/SUP]And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? come out from among them "and be ye separate", ambassadors do not assimilate under banners of the worldly systems of Christendom, absolutely not.

I fellowship, "where two or three are gathered in my name", amen.

And this is the sort of attitude you can easily arrive at when you forsake the assembly of believers. Where two or three are gathered in God's name means two or three human believers, not the Godhead. We're called to worship in Spirit and in Truth on our own and in community.

 

[Lifted_by_the_word]

I'm kind of confused how someone who has been saved since September has it all together about heresy, doctrine, and church denominations. (Please try and spell it better. You have repeatedly spelled it wrong in post after post, hereby bringing out the "make you write it properly on the blackboard 100 times after school" school teacher in me.)

My husband and I have been to many churches, both independent and denominational. I don't agree with everything in either kind of church. But they are ALL MUCH better than sitting at home by yourself, reading the Bible you don't understand, and calling everyone out for fellowshipping together, which is what Hebrews 10:25 is about.

If you knew anything about Biblical context, you would realize that historically, one of the most important things for a Jew was to be able to fellowship with other Jews. A synagogue needed 10 men to be a place where they could worship God together. So Jews congregated together in communities so they could meet daily in the synagogue and discuss the Scriptures. It was THAT IMPORTANT!

Do you think that things suddenly changed with the birth of the church? The first Christians were all Jews, and they met together in the synagogues and together for teaching and encouragement. There are literally so many verses that talk about this, it would be impossible to post them all.

"As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem.5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily." Acts 16:4-5

Do you see what happened? They met to hear the important decisions from Jerusalem (read: 1st century denomination headquarters) and because of the decisions made by the people in charge of the "denomination" we're strengthening them in faith and more and more people saved. So, that is one passage. But continuing in the exact same chapter of Acts, we find Paul in Greece, and Jews meeting together.

"And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul." Acts 16:13-14

These women who met together weren't even men, and didn't qualify as a synagogue! But God used the opportunity for Paul to share the gospel with Lydia, and she was saved - which is the birth of the church of Phillippi, made famous in the Bible by the book Paul wrote called: To the Phillippians. (Wait, that is what it is called in Greek!)

So there, in less that 14 verses, you have two incidents of people gathering together, and spiritual and physical growth coming out of those gatherings.

My suggestion is that you, like Yet, seriously need to attend a church and humbly learn what is being taught. Of course, a Bible believing church, but one where people are gathered together to do the will of God, as taught in the Bible.

I've been victimised by the 'church' since I was a young child so yeah that alone would make you believe that there is no God for most of your life.
When I was 27 Jesus revealed himself to me and gave me fate by showing me that he was true to his word.


Do you really want to know how he did this?
He did this by taking away the memory that he revealed himself in the first place and all that he had shown as well.
Afew years later he open up my mind that he was there for me in the flesh.
I still had a hard time believing any of what I witnessed and the things we talked about.So it took me time to trust in him,or if it was even real in the first place.
The more he opened up my mind the more faith I had that it was all real.


One day last September he took away all my addictions and gave me the urge to pick up and read the bible.
Before this i'd read the bible here and there, only to get me through some troubled times.
And before that I only had limited bible understanding from when I was like ten
After reading for about a week God tested my faith on September 11th.


After getting home afew days later I repented and received the Holy Spirit.
Put yourself in my situation where I had basic understanding of the bible and searching for these truths in the bible and finding that all that Jesus said was the truth.Alot of it was spiritual truths that needed digging.


So yeah, I'm pretty amazed, and that is a huge understatement.
I know what he wants of me,and what tribe he placed me in.
Yeah the church is still a thorn in my thigh,but oh well Jesus saves and he taught forgiveness .

 

[Complete_In_Him]

And this is the sort of attitude you can easily arrive at when you forsake the assembly of believers. Where two or three are gathered in God's name means two or three human believers, not the Godhead. We're called to worship in Spirit and in Truth on our own and in community.

Tintin,

I fellowship with people yes, believers yes. Worship God, this means something different to every denomination, really it does, I've been to quite a few 'churches', it's scary too, wow some of the stuff that is said or that goes on in church(es).

I will say this right now, God did not call us to gather around an altar ever, ever.

 

[hornetguy]

I guess you one of the few then, are you non-denominational?

The fees go toward the overhead for the denomination, ex. regional pastor, literature.

I don't attend a non-denominational church, either, and I've NEVER heard of a church charging a "fee" for anything. Of course, I've only been going to church for about 61 years, so I might have missed something.

I'd say without hesitation that if your church requires a fee, leave it IMMEDIATELY. Find a Bible believing/teaching fellowship of believers, and make your home there.

 

[hornetguy]

and your local church doesn't pay denomination fees, may I ask what denomination you are affiliated with?

I am a member of the Church of Christ, which is totally autonomous, and pays dues to nobody. There IS no central governing body for Churches of Christ. Each church is autonomous, and is overseen by elders, who are nominated (usually following several weeks of study and prayer for the Spirit's guidance) and ordained.

The "preacher" is a paid position, but has no exalted standing, per se.... we have a young preacher who is not scripturally qualified to be an elder, but he is very good at what his job requires.

If a member has any spiritual issue that needs attention, they go to the elders, whose scriptural duties are to shepherd the flock... be the spiritual guides for the body.

There is no financial requirement at all.... other than what scripture says, to give as you've determined in your heart, cheerfully. All monies given go into the general fund, to be budgeted as a group (committee) determines. This group is made up of some of the elders, and some of the congregation, men and women. Each year the budget is presented to the congregation for approval, and a public reckoning is done at least once a year, to let the body know how the money is being used. It's all open, and above board, so nobody can wonder where the contributions are going.

 

[Tintin]

Tintin,

I fellowship with people yes, believers yes. Worship God, this means something different to every denomination, really it does, I've been to quite a few 'churches', it's scary too, wow some of the stuff that is said or that goes on in church(es).

I will say this right now, God did not call us to gather around an altar ever, ever.

Okay, that's good to hear. I'm not sure what you mean about 'gathering around an altar'. I don't know of any church that does that.

 

[Angela53510]

I've been victimised by the 'church' since I was a young child so yeah that alone would make you believe that there is no God for most of your life.
When I was 27 Jesus revealed himself to me and gave me fate by showing me that he was true to his word.


Do you really want to know how he did this?
He did this by taking away the memory that he revealed himself in the first place and all that he had shown as well.
Afew years later he open up my mind that he was there for me in the flesh.
I still had a hard time believing any of what I witnessed and the things we talked about.So it took me time to trust in him,or if it was even real in the first place.
The more he opened up my mind the more faith I had that it was all real.


One day last September he took away all my addictions and gave me the urge to pick up and read the bible.
Before this i'd read the bible here and there, only to get me through some troubled times.
And before that I only had limited bible understanding from when I was like ten
After reading for about a week God tested my faith on September 11th.


After getting home afew days later I repented and received the Holy Spirit.
Put yourself in my situation where I had basic understanding of the bible and searching for these truths in the bible and finding that all that Jesus said was the truth.Alot of it was spiritual truths that needed digging.


So yeah, I'm pretty amazed, and that is a huge understatement.
I know what he wants of me,and what tribe he placed me in.
Yeah the church is still a thorn in my thigh,but oh well Jesus saves and he taught forgiveness .

I am delighted to hear that God saved you, and that your are reading the Bible. I didn't really understand some of your testimony, but that is between you and God.

I don't know what happened to you when you were a child, but from what you have said, and what I know can happen, I am sure it was pretty horrific. I don't know if you know, but there is no statute of limitations on child abuse. You might want to talk to someone at an abuse counselling line, and get support to take your abusers to court. I know children are often not believed, but if enough people come forward, even institutions can be shut down. I can only remember Mt Cashel Orphanage in Newfoundland. It took a long time, but eventually all the brothers and priests were prosecuted and the whole place closed.

Today things have changed a lot. Anyone who works with children and vulnerable, at risk adults in Canada are required to get a criminal background check. I have had three done lately, one as a teacher, one as a chaplain and one to teach Sunday School.

I just want to add one thing- we are the church. It is not a building or some person in charge. To be out of fellowship with people is to be out of fellowship with God. You simply cannot hate your brother, and then claim to love Christ.

"If anyone says, 'I love God' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not live his brother, whom he has seen cannot love God whom he had not seen." 1 John 4:20

Praying you find a way to overcome and forgive those who wronged you.

 

[Bookends]

I don't attend a non-denominational church, either, and I've NEVER heard of a church charging a "fee" for anything. Of course, I've only been going to church for about 61 years, so I might have missed something.

I'd say without hesitation that if your church requires a fee, leave it IMMEDIATELY. Find a Bible believing/teaching fellowship of believers, and make your home there.

the church does not require a fee to attend or to be part of the local body, the denomination requires a fee for the local church(es) to be joined with the denomination. It's a bible believing/teaching church, I'm not that lame bro.

 

[psychomom]

the church does not require a fee to attend or to be part of the local body, the denomination requires a fee for the local church(es) to be joined with the denomination. It's a bible believing/teaching church, I'm not that lame bro.

*gently chuckles*

 

[psychomom]

you know when i've found i most value my local church?

when i physically can't get there.

worshiping the Lord with other believers is a treasure... a very good gift from God.

 

[Bookends]

I am a member of the Church of Christ, which is totally autonomous, and pays dues to nobody. There IS no central governing body for Churches of Christ. Each church is autonomous, and is overseen by elders, who are nominated (usually following several weeks of study and prayer for the Spirit's guidance) and ordained.

The "preacher" is a paid position, but has no exalted standing, per se.... we have a young preacher who is not scripturally qualified to be an elder, but he is very good at what his job requires.

If a member has any spiritual issue that needs attention, they go to the elders, whose scriptural duties are to shepherd the flock... be the spiritual guides for the body.

There is no financial requirement at all.... other than what scripture says, to give as you've determined in your heart, cheerfully. All monies given go into the general fund, to be budgeted as a group (committee) determines. This group is made up of some of the elders, and some of the congregation, men and women. Each year the budget is presented to the congregation for approval, and a public reckoning is done at least once a year, to let the body know how the money is being used. It's all open, and above board, so nobody can wonder where the contributions are going.

I went to the local "Church of Christ" here in town, felt like I had a straight jacket on the whole time. However I do admire that you don't have a governing body but in order to remain "Church in Christ" you must follow their "non" essential doctrines, not only that but some in the "Church of Christ" say the "Church of Christ" are the only true Christian denomination. Any church that said that I'd leave IMMEDIATELY.