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Bring Back the Joy --- B B t J . O r g
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Is there Life Outside the Church?
(an opinion by Virginia H. Lane) I recently talked to a friend who chooses to spend his Sunday mornings ministering to the homeless who hang out in Acacia Park in downtown Colorado Springs. Each week, Brian and his friends have been taking basic items like shirts, socks, toothpaste, etc. to give to those in need. In addition, these Colorado Springs residents have sponsored several "barbecues" of hotdogs/hamburgers and the trimmings in order to show these people the "true love of God." Brian says "It is great to see the look on all the faces as they see that we really do care about them." He said that a number have begun perking up and have started looking for work. What's wrong with this picture? I hope your response is "nothing." Here's a man who is willing to spend time giving hope to those to whom life seems hopeless. He shows these people that they are loved. However!!! Brian has received lots of flack from "good Christians" because he is no longer spending his Sunday mornings in "church" -- meaning a building with a choir leading worship and man standing up delivering a message. A graduate of Bible College, this man is doing missionary work on his home turf. No one would say a word if He were the man standing inside a building delivering a message. But because he chooses to be a shepherd who goes after the 99 lost sheep who don't know the love of Jesus--and he does this by going where they are, namely the Park, he gets criticized. At times, Jesus taught in the synagogue and temple (ex: Matt 4:23 , Matt 21:23 ) At age 12, he amazed the church fathers with his knowledge ( Luke 2:46-47 ). However, if you read the four books of the Bible that tell of Jesus' life and ministry, the majority of the time he spent out in the open. He walked by the Sea of Galilee and ministered from mountain tops ( Mark 3:7 , Matt 15:29-30 ); he prayed in the garden of Gethsemane ( John 18:1-2 , Mark 14:32 ). He even used a deck of a boat as a speaker platform ( Matt 13:1-3 ). I could dig up many examples to show that he spent a lot of time outdoors. He appears to have shared His Glory at any time and place when/where people were receptive. Where do we get the ideas that we are supposed to fellowship in an organized fashion? Hebrews 10:25 is often quoted to encourage church-going because Paul said we shouldn't forgo "assembly" with one another. Many believe that pastors, evangelists, prophets, etc. are all church offices that only can be designated through "the church." Because the apostles appointed mature Christians to minister to the elderly ( Acts 6:1-3 ), some believe this became a sanctioned church office. I guess that means that no one but church deacons (or social services of our governing structure) should help the widows or the fatherless. Don't forget that Paul's letter to Timothy and Titus mention titles such as bishops and deacons which supposedly show that there was a church government structure in place. I would like to propose that even if men tend to congregate together and look to some as leaders--that doesn't mean this is a structure to which we must rigidly and forever be tied. Why then do many Christians think a person can't be "godly" if they don't regularly attend organized services? I know this to be so because a young man recently tried to evangelize us when we admitted that we don't have a local group we call our church home. (We didn't think to use the excuse that we were new in town.) The ensuing conversation revealed that apparently saying the sinners' prayer in the past didn't count if we weren't reading our Bible every day plus obeying the 10 commandments (which apparently includes going to "church"). The young man finally gave up and just invited us to visit his congregation in Redmond. As you know, Mark and I run this web-based encouragement ministry and do not feel that we need to be closely tied to a specific organization. While we enjoy visiting organized churches, we have felt called of God to join none, whereby we have the freedom to participate and help out whenever and wherever as guided by the Holy Spirit. There are many who are don't go to an established church organization. But this doesn't mean that all these people aren't "God-fearing" Christians. (For remainder of this article, I am only the addressing issue of people who believe in God but do not regularly attend a "church.") I like to think that I'm close to God despite not being in the same meeting place every week. Mark and I believe that each individual should have a personal relationship with God. The personal relationship precluded the necessity for meeting weekly in what is termed a "corporate setting." Does this mean 1.That a person isn't supposed to hang out with other believers? 2.That one shouldn't be encouraged to read and study their Bible...? 3.That they shouldn't pay attention to the 10 commandments? 4.That they shouldn't ever attend services at an established religion? Of course not! All those things are good. And they can be a part of relationship with the Godhead. Upon receiving Salvation, a person receives the Holy Spirit (the Comforter) who came to earth after Jesus ascended to Heaven (John 16:7). Jesus told the disciples that this Comforter would teach them and help them remember the teachings of Jesus. (John 14:26) Seems to me the Holy Spirit is a direct connection to the Godhead; I certainly want to pay attention when He talks if he's going to teach me things of God and help me remember the teachings of Jesus which I read in the Bible. I know there was a time in my personal history that I didn't have much of a relationship with God. I read the Bible sometimes and prayed a little. Now I read the Bible a lot, and believe in praying without ceasing (I Thes 5:17). This doesn't mean that I am on my knees beseeching God for something every minute of the day. No, rather it is an attitude of always being in communication with God. This can be on the knees, driving the car or even washing the dishes. He is the friend walking beside me. He's someone I talk to as if He were a physical person at my side. Just because I can't see him doesn't mean he isn't Real. How does one have a personal relationship with anyone? How would you get to know the new people who move in next door? Spend time with them!!! We build relationship with God by spending time with Him. Think of God as your Invisible Friend. Talk to Him as you would a friend. Thank him for being there as part of your life. Thank him for the blessings that you have. No blessings? You woke up this morning! Did you have breakfast? Do you have feet to walk on? Thank him for these things. Be grateful for even the small things if you expect to receive "big" things. Most of the time you spend in prayer should be about positive things. Praise and worship our Father. You will find that it builds up your "spirits (I mean to perk up how you feel)." I've heard that six minutes of negative thinking could subdue your immune system or up to 20 hours. You can reverse this by going to God with an attitude of praise. At this point I'll bring up praying in a spiritual language. This is a language that is unknown to you but speaks to God on a spirit level. I have addressed this topic in http://www.bbtj.org/virginiasviews/Tongues001.html if you would like to know more about it. Another way to get close to God is to study the Bible, the Word of God. I highly recommend reading it on a daily basis. There are a number of good Bible reading programs. You can purchase Tyndale's One Year Bible or the daily scripture readings are available online at http://www.oneyearbibleonline.come. If you are interested in a quicker overview with faster reading, you can find access Read the Bible in 90 Days, http://www.bbtj.org/;MinStuff/Biblein90Days.html on this website. As you soak in the knowledge provided by Bible, you will begin to understand the principles given to by God. You will begin to feel a closeness to God that you've never had before. You will find it easier to make decisions. You will begin to recognize when the Holy Spirit is talking to you. When you follow the leading of God through the Holy Spirit, you will be happy and at peace even through times of adversity. This is something that only comes from God. It's something that can be achieved only through a one-on-one relationship with Him. Jesus said he is the good shepherd and his sheep know His voice. This seems like we can and should have a direct relationship with Him rather than having to go through an organization. Organizations can be good as long as they don't become a substitute for God or time spent with God. My conclusion...those who insist that "Godliness" is achieved through consistent attendance at an organized church can't be happy for you in your relationship with the Godhead because they themselves don't have the comfort of a that same type of relationship. What do you think? |
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