The Christian and The Church Goer
| Join Our Mailing List |
WEEKLY PODCASTS OF CONVERSATIONS THAT CHRISTIANS NEED TO HAVE!
CHRISTIANCONCEPTSBLOG.COM: The Christian and The Church Goer
WEEKLY PODCASTS OF CONVERSATIONS THAT CHRISTIANS NEED TO HAVE!
| Join Our Mailing List |
The understanding first must start with who and what is the Church. Not all that attends the assembly of believers are the Lord's. Nevertheless, we won't touch that less we began dividing wheat and tares. Church doesn't make one believes. The Church is designed for believers. Church is not as many denominations have defined it, so it is possible to have "Church" and not look like the norm. Do not forsake to assemble yourself with other believers. Notice it didn't say Sunday mornings only or how often. Also, regular attendance doesn't determine a person's growth. Seek the Head of the Church, He is the only covering you have.
Reply to this
agree!
Reply to this
Very good topic! We, as Christians have the tendency to think that if you don't go to church you are not a Christian, and that everyone in the church is saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost. Well, I am glad this topic came up, because now I know that I am not the only one that does not think like this. The church I attend has a great social environment, it feels very good to be there. But, those same people that are there Sunday morning are the same ones that talk about everyone including their own family like dogs. To be a Christian means to live as Christ would have us to live. I know people including myself that are not perfect, but strive and make the decision daily that I am going to live as though Christ would have me to live. I heard on one of Tyler Perry's movies that going to church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a cadillac.
Reply to this
Terrell, of course not ! The Church is a building, and you are a Temple. Your personal relationship with God is what truly matters,....but the Bible does say,"Assemble yourself with other believers. Honestly, I feel better when I'm in Church. For some reason, it seems as if his presence is stronger there. "The masses praising, "the singing, and the preaching of his Holy Word, moves my Spirit. " I love it. But...I have a very saved and sanctified Mother who very seldom goes to Church. Who I'm in awe of sometimes when she speaks to and worship OUR GOD. Her prayer life and her belief is so strong, I sometimes envy her. (In a good way)..Then at the other spectrum, I sometimes can't believe what I see and hear from these so-called Christians, who keep that bench warm every Sunday. So no.....I don't think that you're any more saved than the next person, and running to Church every Sunday, certainly doesn't make you a Christian.
Reply to this
Terrell, I believe there are different levels of spiritual maturity just like there are different levels of emotional maturity! When I first came into the church, I did not study the word but, just thought I could get everything I need from the Pastor - wrong! The Shepherd (he/she)cannot do everything their sheep needs. You have to get in there and study alongside other believers for your own personal spiritual maturity and not just be a spectator! Being a spectator opened me up to being critical, being judgmental and wanting the Shepherd to "be" everything I thought I needed. In other words, if I felt that I wasn't growing, it was their fault when it clearly is between me and how much of the Holy Spirit I sought. I agree with all who referenced Heb 10:25 in that there is something about being with other believers that helps hold you up, keep the enemy at bay (2 or 3 gathered in His name), and can sometimes be as close as family. So, not all who are at church Sunday after Sunday are on the same level of spiritual maturity (example - they sell or buy pirated DVD's, take office supplies home every August, gossip about each other on the parking lot, cheat on their friend, pre-marital sex, divulge confidences, etc.). On the other hand, those in church Sunday after Sunday give tithes and offerings (lights, heat and cleaning the building, funds to mow the grass, feed and clothe the homeless, emergency assistance, free counseling, scholarships for kids, visits to prisons, etc.) So, are you a Christian if you don't assemble with other believer's? What level of spiritual maturity the person thinks they are at? Christians in greater numbers can help keep the enemy away and help you with your battles!!! So, our walk is up to us. We get to choose because of free will!
Reply to this
The Christian and the Church go-er may be the same. I think everyone made it complicated! A Christian is a follower of Christ. Where and how are important for growth but does not change the fact that the person is a believer.
The Church go-er could be at either end of a spectrum from a non-believer to a seasoned believer who has matured spiritually, emotionally, and in practice (attending church to praise God, and being a fisher of men.)
Reply to this
We are the Church. The church, corporately, is now who we are. And we are to live the reality that we are the church 24 hours a day/7 days a week, 365 days a year. Ministry is everywhere we are. A church meeting is whenever, wherever we assemble (doesn't mean jut gather but like and assembly line, but everyone participates and does their part.Heb. 10;24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Eph 5:19) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;(Col 3:16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. The church operates in mutual love, mutual fellowship, mutual dependence, mutual
submission, mutual ministry and face-to-face community.
So, to me the difference between the Christian and the Church Goer would be a difference between the Church of Philadelphia and the Church of Laodicia in Revelation 3.Philadelphia, speaks of an overcoming Church that is experiencing this manifest presence and power of the Lord. They have contended for, and gained an open door into the operation of the supernatural wherever they are. Of this Church the Lord said:
...I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it: for you have a little strength...—Revelation 3:8 In the Church of the Laodiceans. The Word of the Lord to this Church is:
Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.—Revelation 3:17
This Church has received more prosperity, gifts, and ministry than any previous Church. Though it is quick to testify about these blessings, this Church is exposed by the Lord as being spiritually immature (blind and naked). However, this prosperity is not the primary cause of their spiritual blindness and nakedness. Their problem rests in the fact that they do not recognize their spiritual need—"and have need of nothing" (Revelation 3:17). They are satisfied with the things they possess and are not seeking after the One who gave all this.Notice the contrast between these two present-day Churches. In Philadelphia, the Lord has set before them an "open door" into the revelation of His manifest presence and the operation of the Supernatural in their midst. In Laodicea, He is outside of the Church knocking upon a "closed door," seeking out any individual that is still able to hear His voice, inviting them to turn aside and commune with Him.
Reply to this