churchianity today

adapted from Churchianity Today by Chip Brogden Chris Brogden: "It is the position of the author that a believer who is standing on the ground of Christ and has seen the body (church) cannot but renounce denominationalism. The reason is because we must receive all whom God receives. If the Life of God is found in them, we will receive them as brethren (family) and not make peripheral issues the basis of our joining or not joining with them....

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costs of being a member

adapted from Churchianity Today by Chip Brogden Why do people usually join an organisation such as a club? Usually it is because we can justify the price paid for becoming a member by the benefits we will get by belonging.  However, we need to remember that the organisation itself also benefits.  For instance, a sports club benefits charging and collecting dues from its membership to pay for staff, executive officers, facilities, marketing, other projects, etc. Likewise, whether realistic, fair, or scripturally justified...

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the gospel according to organised religion

adapted from Churchianity Today by Chip Brogden REMEMBER: When you consider the spiritual benefits of joining a local church, remember that you are already joined to the Body of Christ, the ecclesia.  As such you already have every spiritual benefit of being a member in God's church. The only requirement for such membership is a new birth (glossary).  There is no responsibility but to abide in Christ. Joining a church may...

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fellowship apart from organised religion

adapted from Churchianity Today by Chip Brogden If we are one with the head (Jesus), we are one with the body (church), even if we are not gathered together. But, if we are not one with the head, we are not one with the body, even if we are gathered together. Hence we can have fellowship with one another whether we are attending a church building or not. Can you meet with people, and even make friends without actually joining a local church? If you do, are you any less part of the church? A common term for people who don't...

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the way out

adapted from Churchianity Today by Chip Brogden The one right way to leave is by way of Christ. To leave because of hurt, bitterness, dissatisfaction with the status quo, rebellion, or anything short of seeing Christ is to be in a precarious situation. If our experiences drive us into a depression and unforgiveness, then all meaning and purpose for the experience is lost. On the other hand, if our disenchantment, disillusionment, and despair drive us deeper into Christ, we will find healing through Him and we will be enabled to extend...

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institution is a lifestyle choice

adapted from Churchianity Today by Chip Brogden To truly come out of organised religion requires more than deciding to meet in homes or resolving to do away with the external trappings of Churchianity. Many claim to have escaped because they no longer attend church services.  But the reality is they are still living an institutional lifestyle. They have only exchanged one form of religious bondage for another. Freedom cannot...

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financial support

adapted from Churchianity Today by Chip Brogden Financial support ... establishes the right to expect members to make donations in the form of tithes, offerings, love gifts, fundraisers, pledges, building funds, etc The motivation for all financial support should be “as the Spirit leads”, not as the rules of membership dictate. That sort of giving cannot be legislated, no matter how hard you try, through teachings on tithing, “sowing and reaping”, “love” offerings, “faith promises”, etc. Yet this is precisely what organised religion...

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leadership support

adapted from Churchianity Today by Chip Brogden Leadership support ... creates the right to expect members to agree with the stated mission of the church and the pastor Support of the pastor and his vision cannot be mandated.  Either the Holy Spirit bears witness with what is happening or he doesn’t. Authority based on perceived rank, status, charisma, spiritual gift, or popular appeal is a fantasy. The philosophy of organised religion is to maintain the distinction between clergy and laity.  This is achieved by inserting...

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doctrinal support

adapted from Churchianity Today by Chip Brogden Doctrinal support ... generates the right to expect members to adhere to the stated spiritual philosophy and teachings of the church and/or denomination When it comes to doctrine, denominations tend to make big things out of small issues. We agree everyone who names Christ as Lord should agree on major tenets of faith (e.g. fall of man, inspiration of the Scriptures, deity of Jesus, His resurrection, etc). Yet tracing the histories of the thousands of denominations reveals most began...

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