New Guy

I first want to thank the developers of this site for making it possible to connect with other disciples across the globe. This is a beautiful opportunity to fellowship with God's people. I assure you, I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross so that I can have eternal fellowship with the Father. I also believe He was raised on the third day and has prepared a place for me in Heaven. I believe in the Holy trinity. I believe I received the Holy Spirit when I decided to follow my savior and Lord Jesus Christ so many years ago.

With all that said, I do have disagreements with the modern church. I don't agree with all doctrines just for the sake of making peace with everyone. I may not agree with you personally. If that ever happens, please know that it is never directed toward you personally. Because I am not a bible scholar, I tend to fall back on a more literal interpretation until I am convinced a passage is metaphorical in nature.

My apparent non-conformity goes beyond scripture, however. On the outside, I may appear to be somewhat rebellious toward the larger institutions we often associate as our "church homes." I often call out the hierarchy to answer for why we have often chosen to glorify organizations instead of the body of Christ. If you are a pastor or elder of a church organization, I would remind you not to take any criticisms personally, but to just prayerfully consider how the early church functioned; and whether or not it's time for a course correction in 2019.

What an exciting time we live in! People in Africa are being saved despite persecution by warring factions. Christians in China are reading the bible in spite of government intrusion. And yes, people are still faithful to God in the U.S. in spite of an overbearing hierarchy that demands allegiance to organization over service to "the least of these" in the name of Christ.

My wish is not to berate any church or member of a church. I simply hope to dialogue with those who want the church to function as Jesus did. After all, in Mathew 28:19. he told us to go and make disciples of all nations. He didn't say, "go and build huge buildings, entertain a bunch of mildly-interested people to sit and watch a sermon for an hour, send them home immediately and then invite them back next week."

You may want to take this to the bible forum, instead of the Introductions forum.

wow heavy intro but welcome anyway new guy. you may find a niche here.

Welcome to CC and nice to meet you. It is a good thing for us to voice our thoughts here on the Church and body of Christ. Looking forward to hearing from you at the forums, God bless you!

Greetings, DesertWanderer! I especially appreciate your introductory, this-is-what-I-believe paragraph. That was a great way to introduce oneself. I also appreciate your quotation of Scripture.
May I inquire how you fellowship with the body of Christ besides online interaction? I, for one, have truly been edified incredibly much by the local church I am a member of. It is near and dear to my heart (as have been most, if not all, of the churches I have been a part of). One of my absolute favorite things to do is go to church! Honestly, I often drive by a church that isn't my own and think, "Oh, how I would like to visit and see what is going on there.. I would like to meet new brothers and sisters and listen to the preacher and be privy to that church's ministry outreaches." That isn't because I am in any way displeased with the one I am a member of- I just want to take part in as many as I can! Lol. Maybe it's just me having grown up in the church. It saddens me, though, that others may not feel the same way.
I do realize that there are churches that speak half-truths and that are lukewarm and that sort of thing. ... But I think there are many churches of which Christ approves and many which can be of great benefit to us as believers. I am in the Bible belt though..
Anyway, I think this is the longest welcoming post I've made to date, but it touched on a subject I am most passionate about. 🙂 I hope nothing I have said has offended. God bless you, Brother!

Thanks for sharing and Welcome to CC! Glad you are here 😊

See you around the forums!

Blessings 💜

Thank you for taking an interest.

I am glad you are happy with your church home. I would never suggest you leave it. Churches from all over the world are doing wonderful things for the glory of God.

My son and I have chosen to worship God at home on our own. We do however go to "church" once in a while.

Now a question for you. Does your church look like this:

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2: 44-47

1. Is there harmony and agreement among you, or fighting and bickering?
2. What portion of the church budget goes to helping the needy?
3. When was the last time the entire congregation got together for a full meal?
4. After the service, do the members stay and talk about the sermon, or is it a mad dash to the parking lot?
5. How many new believers did you add to your numbers last month?

You don't have to answer, since this is all rhetorical. Chances are, you don't really know, since most church budgets are kept secret these days. Sure they'll tell us how much went in and how much went out. But most of the time, members don't know how much the pastor was really paid, how much all the children's programs cost, or even what the electric bill was. It's all lumped into "Administrative Costs."

All I wish to point out here is that you, as a member of your fine church, have the right to know. And above all, you have the absolute right, under the direction of our Lord Jesus Christ, to go beyond the church walls and serve others. You don't need to take a special class to visit someone in the hospital. You don't need "church permission" to start a bible study. You don't need a chef license and a commercial kitchen to bake a batch of cookies for your neighbors. The Lord himself gave us permission to do these things a long time ago:

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Matthew 25:40

Hello DesertWanderer, welcome to Christian Chat. I hope you'll enjoy your stay here.

LOL. I have to get the name of your animator.

Hey DW! Great to see you come onboard.
Cheers!

Sir, I do not know what your life experiences have been, but your post is troubling to me. I want to use consideration for you and caution in my response. I absolutely do not want to be argumentative with you. But I fear you are taking on a condemning attitude toward a big part of Christ's body. I can't help but think this grieves Him.
Truthfully, before I became a member and very active participant in my church, I had significant criticism for the modern church in America. But as I committed to it (the church) from my heart, more and more God grew a love in me for it. He IS using the modern evangelical church in America. Now I know I was Wrong for judging it. Father, forgive me!


The church I attend is highly unified, by God's grace. Honestly, there is a supernatural love between us.
We have free Wednesday night meals that are open to anyone. I know many hungry children (especially) come and eat. We contribute to 2 local organizations that help the poor. Our pastor also keeps foodstuff in his office so that when someone comes by in need of food, he can provide for the need. Our church has been known to take up an offering when a family was in need. We look out for each other, care about, and provide support in each other's needs, problems, health concerns, etc.
We get together for full meals often. We did a few weeks ago for Pastor Appreciation Sunday and we will again tomorrow for our annual Thanksgiving potluck.
Members stay and talk after the sermon. Of course there are some who leave immediately. If anyone has come forward to become a member or make a decision for Christ, we always form a line and go down to greet them. Also, we have a greeting time during our morning service before the sermon where everyone talks with, hugs, shakes hands with one another. It is all very special. Btw, I have been in several of the other member's houses as a result of church functions and personal invitations.
I cannot say that we had any new believers last month. But that is not necessarily directly related to human doing. No man can come to the Father unless He draws them.
I hold in my hand the budget/expense report from last month's meeting. It lists exactly- to the cent- our pastor's salary for the month (and year to date).
My Pastor very much encourages us to share our faith, reach out to the needy, give, go, love, lead by example, study the Holy Word ourselves. We have been given a piece of land with a small building adjacent to our church property and are holding monthly food distribution outreaches. Our pastor also plans to have a Financial Peace class open to the public in this building in the new year to hopefully draw in people who may be intimidated by the church building itself. There are more ministries we do that I have not mentioned.

I am going to refrain from asking any questions.

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 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 10:24-25

I did read your whole reply. I just didn't quote all of it to save space. I praise God for your church, as it is an extremely rare exception. I pray every day I can find one just like it near me. Until then, I will keep praying and hoping. Maybe you can petition the Lord on my behalf. Thanks so much for your words of encouragement.

Please take this into the bible forum. Introductions forum is specifically for introductions, not bible discussions.

I respectfully disagree with you on this one. EliBeth was merely trying to get to know me better. I applaud this. Too often in today's church, we categorize individuals-- and in this case conversations. We tend to box people up so that we are separated from each other, rather than united. The modern church has gotten so "clickish" that we don't know anyone past our own demographic group. We have to come together--young and old-- so we can serve His Kingdom better. Paul exhorted:

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 1 Cor 12:27

Indeed, I have already petitioned on your behalf and will continue. 🙂 You are most welcome. Thank you, Sir, for receiving what I said.