Maybe you've heard someone say these words... maybe you've said them yourself... "I believe in God, but I don't HAVE to go to church." "My spiritual life is between me and God." "I love God, but I hate organized religion."
Let me say right up front, and you friends know this, I am the Lead Pastor of a congregation of Christ-followers... so what do you expect my answer to be? 
Above are three statements, but I see them as one. But if I may, let me briefly address each thought... starting with the last one and working back.
"I love God, but I hate organized religion." First, I would love to invite you to our congregation - we're pretty disorganized. 
Seriously, though, when true religion is organized, it is organized according to the purpose of God - to bring grace, and peace, and understanding, and knowledge, and Love to people. Could it be that you're a lot like me, and what you don't like are dogmatic institutional rules which separate, and divide, and alienate people? The thing is, when religion is organized, there is unlimited potential for good!
"My spiritual life is between me and God." Yes, you are a spiritual being having a human experience, and how you relate to God is a personal thing. It really is not a separate thing, though. What I mean is, who we are spiritually - who we are beyond the body and the mind - affects every area of our lives. My spiritual life is between me and my wife - me and my son - me and my best friend - me and the girl working the checkout counter at Wal Mart - me and YOU! We are meant to live connected, and when I attempt to live a "this is between me and God" life, I am in serious disconnect.
"I believe in God, but I don't HAVE to go to church." I feel that the basis of this statement is a fundamental misunderstanding of what "church" is. Church isn't a building. Church isn't a place you "go to", or thing you "do", or something you "have." Church is a connectedness of people on a spiritual journey together. The thing is, my friends who say this to me, are themselves a part of a church. They may not attend a Christian worship gathering (or that of another religious faith), but they are a part of the church of intellectuals, or the church of politics, or the church of consumerism, or the church of Oprah, or the church of Starbucks. Everyone is a part of the church of whatever. Church is being connected... it is being.
Thoughts?
Comments (60)
@wiseguysupreme4@xanga - Fair enough. But I havn't so far met any Christians who loved me as a human being as soon as they worked out I'm pagan; it usually just makes them hate me and gets bibles thrown at me (not literally) like I've never heard the arguments before. I understand that the ideal Christian should love everyone equally, religion etc notwithstanding, but most people I've met just aren't like that, which makes me a bit sad sometimes.
@LoBornlite@xanga - Uh oh. I forgot to put that first part in quotes (I was replying to somebody). If you read the rest of my comment you can see that I have the same point of view as you. Sorry for the mix up!
@wiseguysupreme4@xanga - Sorry me. Not you. I deleted my comment.
@HeartOfPandora@xanga - Yeah, I've definitely seen that. My friend went to a christian school, but it's terrible. It really, REALLY burns me up. It's to be expected, though. If you pour clear water into filthy cups...
I DO know some Christians who are very good about loving people just for being people, regardless of beliefs, addictions, promiscuity, etc. Don't worry, they exist. :)
@LoBornlite@xanga - Don't worry about it. Now I really wish I could edit it and put quotes, though. Bah.
sorry but the argument is stupid. church is the gathering of people of God. You can gather with the people of God at home too, with your family.
So this does not make too much sense.
How come people in church are the first to condemn other people of differnet beliefs, such as, homosexuals and Muslims? I thought we are supposed to unite not divide.
In this day and age people need divine intervention from God, because I believe focus has been shifted.
We were put on this earth to praise God not to judge and condemn other people.
@HeartOfPandora@xanga - I don't think that. In fact, any Christians who do would be mistaken. Not to say that I think Wicca is this great thing, but I also know it is not devil worship. But I do think it sounds a little empty for a Christian to say they love you. To me, it seems empty for someone to say they love someone that they don't know personally and it seems that a lot of Christians say that just because they are told they are supposed to say that. It's like saying you will pray for someone. Many Christians just throw that around without, for one, thinking about how condescending and offensive it is (many might reply who says I need your prayers) and in addition they often never bother to pray for the person. We are obligated, all people, I would say Christian or otherwise, to love each other. Those who repeat it, over and over, as if it's a mantra, seem like they may be trying to convince themselves of something more than anyone else.
@shillyshara@xanga - The Bible is full of rules that had to be followed or there were consequences. (1 Corinthians 14:33) . . .For God is [a God], not of disorder, but of peace. .
Order requires rules and regulations. I guess everyone sees it differently but it's all about the truth found in God's word. My opinion doesn't matter. Jehovah God's does.
@HeartOfPandora@xanga - I don't think the author of this post is trying to suggest that we all have to go to church. He's just bringing his own view on it to light.
I really think it's a fantastic post, and so true. I don't go to church regularly, the only one available to me is just a little to haphazard for my liking. Too much real life (discussing what's going on that week in the community) and not enough God in my opinion. And the chairs are uncomfortable (cervical spondylosis and lumbar herniation/degeneration do not go well with hard wooden chairs).
But I do belong to the church of Revelife, where I try to learn about God and connect with people similar - and not so similar - to me.
I believe Christians should go to church. First of all there's a verse in the Bible, I forgot where it was, but it says that we should not forsake the assembling of meeting with other believers. There have been times in my Christian walk where I was not active in church for months, and I just felt so spiritually dead. Whenever I do go, I feel alive. I love fellowshipping with other believers, and hearing what my pastor has to say about the Word of God. He brings the Word into a different perspective. He'll talk about Scripture that I would have never skimmed across. Most of his sermons come from Old Testament stories and he always has a point to them. I also love the worship at my church. The music is so incredible and you can totally feel God's presence and anointing power there each time.
For those who live in the Tulsa area and do not have a church home, I'd like you to check out Church on the Move. For those who are distant and would like to watch a service to see what we're like, go to www.churchonthemove.com and watch our service. You will be blown away. I've been going here for 3 and a half years, and I love this place.