church membership

Have you ever heard someone ask which church do you belong?  Has someone said "would you like to find out how to become a member, or what it means to be a member of this congregation?

Reminded of this this morning as listening to an invite to a "New Friends" dinner.  Also, happens regularly at work when discussing what we did on the weekend.

As we know from scripture, as believers in Christ, as his followers, we enter into his people.  We become a member.  We enter into his church, his body.  As such you can never be late to church, never be absent, or on holiday.

So to ask which church we belong to is a redundant question.  All believers belong to the same church.  So the question must be being asked in terms of which tribe do you belong.  Okay we already trust in this.

But what is rattling around in me is the flip-side of that coin.  Since we are of the one body, to love put this reality means being able to enter into any tribal gathering in peace.  Why?  Because we already belong.  It is therefore possible to see and live in such a way that these are my people though they may not accept me in return.

The other point is that when a congregation speaks of membership what do they mean?  Are they speaking of people who turn up (attend) or those who are pursuing Him?   Thus, on Sunday there may be 200 people in the room, but maybe only 1 or 2 followers.  Indeed, this can be true of those called elders and leaders etc.

But here too what do our eyes see?  Unbelievers, the lost, the distracted, the tribal, or people who Christ still died for?  Do they treat his sacrifice in vain?  Maybe but is that our call when restoration always is possible

Should we accept the dysfunctions of today's tribal church?  No.  But then ask, if sectarianism is not God's will, and a house divided is bound to fall, then, maybe we need to approach our church family as we would any other person.

If sunday services, as they stand today, are the same in essence as any other sphere, broken, and we are to live as Christ did/does, then we need to be about pointing to the exit door in the knowledge that all systems are already destroyed.

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in or out?

It has come to my attention that some Christians filter who may and may not gather with them during such times as a home group or bible study. The reason  is the new person would change the dynamics (e,g, learning stlye, maturity, gender, age, personality, denominational background, etc) of the group or not cope with the existing dynamics.  Therefore their presence would be considered disruptive.

Whether or not this sounds reasonable, is it acceptable?

Does God treat people this way? Did Jesus when on earth? What if you did this happened to your children?

Imagine saying to someone "Sorry, you cannot come pray and seek God with us because we are concerned you presence will disrupt the established group. We are doing things you may not be able to understand and we don't want to make the effort to change how we operate."

How you would respond if someone told you that?

May our doors be open to anyone willing to seek Him. Regardless of denominational or ideological background. Regardless of age, gender, socio-econics, or level of spiritual maturity.

May our minds and heart be open to Him so that we do not consider ourselves more important than others.

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God is all about relationships?

Today, the church often preaches about how God is all about relationships and as such so must the church.  We therefore have become accustomed to filtering what we do through the lens of relationships.  For instance, we only have the right to speak into another persons life once we have a relationship with them.  This is despite the fact that our very presence can be enough to affect another person's life, without have ever spoken a word to them let alone having met them.

We have also made our theology of God all about relationship.  God is the father, son, and spirit in continual relationship.  Occasionally, some believers will take the bold step and suggest people are invited into this relationship.

Now don't get me wrong, I am not opposing the importance of relationships.

But what I am pointing out is two things.  First, treating relationship this way is like the story of the elephant, where different people describe the elephant according to which part they were looking at: a leg, a trunk, an ear etc.  And as such they each spoke of the elephant in terms of the piece they could see.  Alternatively, what if the elephant is up a tree?  What if what we are describing looks like what we would expect a certain part of the elephant to look like, but we our expectations keep us distracted from looking up?

If we are doing this with God in terms of relationships, then what are we making the cornerstone of our faith and why?

Thus, the second point.  Could it be because our culture and society lack genuine relationship causing it to be the cry of our collective heart?  Could there be something more than what we experience through individualism?  Irony, in a desire to overcome individualism, we segment God into parts, father, son, spirit and then resolve this in terms of relationship, where we relate to one or more as our needs determine.

Again, not disregarding or diminishing relationship, trinity, or God's attributes. Just wanting to prompt us to consider what we doing and why.

Oneness

Jesus prayed that we be one like he and the father are one.  Is there distinction?  We are called to mature so we may be as the full stature of Christ.  We are to be in him and he in us... etc

This is like describing the colour green.  Yes we know and can show that yellow and blue are the component parts, and in a sense when we interact with green, we interact with mixed parts of yellow and blue.  But the truth is when you look at a frog or a leaf, you don't think or behave like that.  You only treat it as green.  We are not even contemplating how the bits work together.

Again, it is like when we send a christmas card to a household or a wedding gift.  Though we recognise each person involved, our focus os on the family, the couple.  Our love is for them as a whole.  Indeed, you may even sign off using your own family's surname.

The mystery that is God, the Church, etc...  Breaking him/us down while not 'bad', misses something.  And if we are doing this because of something we are missing in ourselves, communally or individually, then hmmm.

I pray that we are resolved in ourselves on this matter so that we may be one with one another and one with God.  And as such, just One.

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covering and accountability

Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow for that certainly wouldn't benefit you (Hebrews 13:17).

warning

The following comments are not intended for anyone who lead or instruct people with a focus of wellbeing and growth for their students.  Instead they are for people whose interest is more about being followed (Jude 1).

introduction

When it comes to requiring people to do what the leaders of churches ask of them, Hebrews 13:17 (top of page) is the number one bible quote. The way it is then usually applied is:

• Obey your spiritual leaders, do what they say, because
• They are accountable to God for watching over your soul
• Do this so their work is joyous and
• If they don't feel you are doing as asked, it proves your spiritually immaturity

a moment

Is it possible for a church leader (e.g. pastor, priest, elder) to say something you don't understand?  Is it possible for them to teach something that contradicts what is in the bible? Is it possible for them to ask you to do something that goes against your conscience?

If yes, so should you agree with them anyway, hide your disagreement from others, or ask for clarity and maybe argue the alternative? What is going to help bring understanding: ignoring the disagreement, obeying something you disagree with, or asking questions and discerning intentions behind the request.

a question

Now pretend you have sought clarity from the leader, asked God, read the bible, spoken with others, etc to work out why the disagreement exists and if it is worthwhile to hold your stance.

Then pretend the leaders tells you that your actions and views proove you are immature or rebellious because God has entrusted them to look after you, and as such, ignoring their advice is therefore ignoring God.

Yes, their heart may be in the right place, motivated by the idea that one day they will stand before God and share how they looked after you.  And in a sense this is true (Mt 18:1-10). But it is true for all (leader or otherwise) who choose to point someone else in a direction to follow.

But, how does asking you to do as they say, because they hold a particular role, fit into the broader context of the bible?  Especially considering:

• God's Spirit is continually reminding and teaching us of everything Jesus taught (Jn 14)
• We are asked to personally embrace God’s word (Jn 15:1-17)
• We are encourage to seek God's counsel ourselves (Mt 21:22; Lk 11:1-13)
• What if God speaks to us directly? (John 14; Mt 1:20, 2:12; Acts 2:17)
• Are there any other mediators between you and God than Jesus? (1Tim 2:1-7)

Do we ignore these things just because one or more people desire us to listen to them? Furthermore, and ultimately, regardless of the role God gives us:

• We are all equal and need to treat each other with love and humility (ref)

in other words

Surely humble leaders hope those they nurture will embrace what is shared.  Not because it came from their mouth, but because their heart dwells in God's life.  Also, they would  see their own failings inluding a capactity to misunderstand what God shares or bias it with their own expectations.

Being a leader or instructor of God's ways does not rely upon saying "I am a leader of ..."  Nor does it rely upon people agreeing with you, following your wisdom, or even seeking to be in your presence.  Being a leader simply means encouraging people to seek God and copy him.  Maybe you will get to instruct how to do this.  Maybe not.

**

What does this have to do with covering and accountability?  Basically, no matter how fine they sound, it is difficult to read anything in scripture to support the way local churches define and apply them.

covering

Covering, in the church, is when a person watches over the well being of another by taking spiritual guidance for the one they are caring for. It tends to operate in a hierarchy of people watching over the ones 'beneath' until the most senior church member is reached, and then God (see figure).  In the case of a local church, this person is the head pastor or priest.  In some denominations, this continues through to leaders from the parent church. A familiar example is the pope of the Catholic church.

Does the bible support any of this?

• Are we asked to care for one another as community or due to spiritual seniority? (Mt 22:37-40; Jn 15:9-17)
• Should pastors or any other role be elevated above or to the exclusion of another? (Eph 4; 1Co 13)
• Should people who instruct others be questioned about what they say? Why? (1Co 12:10; 1Jn 4:1-6)

Yes, we need to listen and consider, but because it is God gifting, not because we owe them something.  Indeed, any gift requires giving without expectation of a return to the person, but to God himself.  Thus the notion of covering seems to be a result of adapting scripture to suit circumstances we created for ourselves.

accountability

Accountability is the system where you are watched and held responsible for your actions by someone else.  Therefore, if Christ is our one and only mediator, there cannot be anyone else who can fulfill the role.  Assuch, is it possible for church leaders to perform a 'covering' role without inserting themselves as a mediators.

When you hear someone advise you to work within the system that exists, please query them.  Ask why they are prepared to live in a way God doesn't want just because that's all there is available right now.

• Should you be accountable?  Yes, but to God alone.  Indeed let your yes be yes and your no be no.
• Should you submit to people in a role of authority?  Yes, but not due to their title but because they are family.  Likewise submit to everyone.
• Should we vulnerable to one another?  Yes, but not because of someone's gift, role, experience, etc, but because our freedom was purchased, equally, by the sacrifice Jesus made (Eph 1:3-14)?  What are some examples of how we could be vulnerable to others?  (e.g. Eph 4:32; Gal 6:1-3; Jam 5:16)

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who is the head of the church?

Does authority exist even if we choose to ignore or not recognise it?

If so, does Christ's authority exist if we as believers or as the church collectively ignore or not recognise it, let alone disobey it

If yes, then would it be wise to discover and then stop doing everything that usurps his authority? Usurp? Yes, anything we do to take that does not belong to us.

What areas does the church currently do this?

How are you personally behaving to support this behaviour?

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god healed the divide

If God desires there be no division between his people, where do denominational groupings within the church fit? What about those who are called believers and unbelievers

Paul appealed people to live in harmony with each other, without divisions in the church. To be of one mind, united in thought and purpose... Some claimed to be a follower of Paul, others Apollos, others Peter, or only Christ. But Christ is not divided into factions. Nor Paul crucified for you? (1 Corinthians 1:10-13)

After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. It’s not important who did what, but rather that God makes the seed grow. (1 Corinthians 3:5-16)

How does this apply when people say “I am a Baptist,” “I am Catholic", or “I adhere to no set denomination”, etc?

Was your minister, pastor, priest, mentor crucified for you?

If Christ is not divided into different groups, what are we doing?

If Jesus ended division by terminating the system of law with its commandments and regulations, then are the requirements we expect of people to belong relevant? If not, what do they do? How?

What are we to make of the promise of Christ in that there is nothing a person needs to do for God to forgive and embrace them? For all people? For all time?

Does placing requirements on people to belong create barriers to what God wants to do?

What are the commandments and regulations the church imposes today to belong? 
Consider things such as attendance of services, how we speak, what we wear, who we interact with, permitted activities, etc. Consider things such as how to pray, worship styles, or what it means to become saved.

What are the alternatives?

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real love = attending church

The following is a response to a spoken message by Tony Rainbow of Victory Church (Adelaide, Australia) to the people of Fusion City Church (Canberra – Australia)

audio link

 

Topic being shared: Staying the Course

For the most part this message shared was positive.  However, part way through Tony stated:

"a person's church attendance reflects their real relationship with God.  If they are not attending they are reflecting a lack of genuine love for Him." Tony Rainbow, Victory Church, Australia - 27 Nov 2011

Given the information of the rest of the sermon, the context for this is attendance of Sunday church services.

In other words, Tony was suggesting that people who do not regularly attend a church service lack a genuine love for God.  Alternatively, people only really love God if they attend church services, preferably every week.

(This kind of comment is in the same category as those that suggest "Your love for God is measured by the amount of money you give to the church.")

Shortly after Tony stated

"If you hang around (spend time with) people who hate the church or speak against it, then we are going to become like them."  Tony Rainbow, Victory Church, Australia - 27 Nov 2011

Unfortunately the implications of this are:

• No one should speak against anything a church does, even if it does or says something counter to what appears in the Bible
• Decision makers and leaders of churches view themselves as infallible
• Anyone who raises a question of how and why things are done is seen as a hater of the church and indeed the people involved in it

And even if it is possible to ignore these comments, what are the implications for our relationship with God?  Ask yourself:

• Who did God send his son, Jesus, to hang around?  Did he become like them?
• Did he speak against religious attitudes and behaviours or people?
• Who did Jesus send his disciples amongst?
• People who pursue a life that copies Jesus will be hated and persecuted because the world first hated him (John 15:18-27).  Why does Gods warn us about this?  Does it mean we are to run away or persevere?  What does each choice here say about how we view God and Jesus?
• The Bible teaches us that we are not perfect and we make mistakes.  Is this is a reason to limit our relationships to those who agree with us and behave like us (Mt 5:43-48)?
• Consider evangelism.  Who is the audience?  How can discipleship occur if we are not to spend time people who disagree with us?

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is your church a sect?

Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ; they are serving their own personal interests. (Romans 16:17-18)

 features of a sectarian church group

• Members point to the importance of their group and/or leader instead of Christ alone.
• They claim to support the universal church, the body of Christ, but in practice promote structures and attitudes that lead to their own isolation.
• They may claim their group possesses “the real truth”
• The ministers/leaders claim to be the ones God reveals things to. People are either not encouraged to listen or understand God for themself, or told there are certain things God speaks to the leaders alone.
• The praise and warmth people receive when they first join continues only as long as they follow what is expected of them.
• Other groups of believers (Christians) are criticised or mocked.
• A belief exists that “our group” can’t learn from others who do/see things differently.
• People and groups who disagree with them are slandered.
• People and groups who reject their version of the truth are viewed as dishonest, insincere, offensive, immature, not living right, etc.
• Anyone and any group who don’t accept their teaching are cut off or isolated.
• Ministers/leaders control the way people live and their activities by requiring permission to do things or expecting direct input.
• They are typically not upfront about their core beliefs.

how to avoid joining a sectarian group

• Ask people and the leaders of the church why people leave their group.
• Ask to be able to speak with the last 3 families that left.
• Ask who God speaks to within their group and whether people are encouraged to understand what he says. Ask how and who teaches people how to hear God clearly.
• Are people freely encouraged to share what they believe God is saying? How?
• Ask how interaction with other church members outside their group is encouraged. Is action left to the leaders or for anyone?

dangers of joining a sectarian group

• They will replace the guidance of the Holy Spirit with their own, or of the ministry, or church, and claim to be the voice of the Lord.
• You will be influenced to have prejudice and intolerance toward other Christians.
• You will be influenced to invite people to belong to the church group, instead of Christ.
• Your spiritual and day to day life will become controlled.
• Their ministers may try to lead your family.
• If you query or speak against the group, your family may have wedges placed between its members.
• If you leave, they may expect your children and spouse to stay.
• If you leave, they may deal with you unfairly and harshly.

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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.  While we cannot render (give) support to a church or group which meets on sectarian ground, we can and will receive the individual members who desire our fellowship on a basis of Christ.  Jesus is building his church upon

the foundation of himself. This is the only safe ground to build or stand upon."

introduction

It is important to distinguish between God's invisible, universal, spiritual church (ecclesia) and church in the form of a non-profit religious organisation. Sure, religious groups may  assemble, elect leaders, receive money, have membership requirements, and govern themselves in the manner they see fit. This is a civil right.

But is this absolute truth, scriptural, or mandated by God?

And either way, who created the ecclesia (church) man or God?  Was it intended to be an organisation, an organism, or can the church be both?

This aside, whenever we attach spiritual or scriptural significance to cultural norms, religious traditions, organisational structures, and places of meeting we tend to blur the line between what we do and who we are.  This opens us to being spiritually abused and ruled, such as when:

• The pastor of a local church becomes a profession instead of a calling, or
• The church government a democracy or lead by a single pastor or church board instead of being a spirit-led consensus

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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 when we choose to "join a local church"  that church, if operating as an organised religion, will gain from your membership by expecting:

• Financial support       Members are expected to make donations in the form of tithes, offerings, love gifts, fundraisers, pledges, building funds, etc
• Leadership support    Members are expected to agree with the stated mission of the local church and its pastor
• Doctrinal support        Members are expected to adhere to the stated spiritual philosophy and teachings of the church and/or denomination
• Attendance support   Members are expected to be present at a majority of services and functions
• Volunteer support      Members are expected to donate their time and volunteer in whatever capacity is needed
• Also, the church has greater control over its membership by meting out discipline when someone goes astray in one or more of the above areas

THEN, in return for this allegiance, members, the people of the congregation may receive:

• A vote in major decisions (e.g. picking a pastor),
• A say-so in some financial matters,
• The privilege of being in leadership (e.g. Sunday school teacher, worship leader, etc.)

Is getting a small part in the political process of church government a fair exchange for the time, money, cooperation and amount of individual control you must relinquish?

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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 be good, proper, beneficial, and moral, but it is not a condition of salvation, thus it is not a condition for being a follower of Jesus (christian).

Many believe we are saved by grace because we are unable to achieve it by anything we do.  However, we quickly allow ourselves to be convinced by that we must do things to keep, maintain, or improve, that which is freely ours. For instance, we are instructed to pray, read the Bible, join a church, give to the work of the Lord, witness to people, stop doing so and so, start doing this and that, etc.

These things are not wrong.  However, when the message is to do “X” and don’t do “Y”, the result is people who are trying to please God. We couldn't please God as sinners, so why do we now believe, as christians, it is our duty to please Him.

How easy it is to unwittingly return to a works-oriented faith.

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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 join a specific local church is “church hoppe”. They are viewed people who flit between groups, in the hope of finding the perfect pastor, music program, youth group, etc. They are criticised for their unrealistic expectations and lack of commitment. Yes, some are so obsessed with their needs and wants that they will never be satisfied and will forever remain uncommitted.

But is this always true? Ask them of their personal history with churches.

• What are seeking?
• Why are they unwilling or unable to commit to church membership?
• Are they wary of churches generally because of regular spiritual and emotional abuse?
• Are the churches they have visited cold, aloof, or cliquish?

Why do we turn the fact that they are even attempting to connect somewhere into something negative?

Among growth-oriented churches the goal is to persuade you to join the local church because attendance is the next logical step. However once you do join, the honeymoon is over. The list of expectations, rules, regulations, and by-law appear. You are educated in what is considered acceptable and unacceptable behaviour, and your performance is  measured in terms of dollars contributed, services attended, and hours volunteered.

This is not suggesting there is a conspiracy, only how easy it is for the generally accepted attitudes, traditions, rituals and practices of organised religion to quickly deteriorate into something other than what God has in mind for a community of believers.

In short, the way we go about “doing” church is far removed from what “being” the church is all about. Church as most people know it today has become a business, social, or legal arrangement, not a community or family.

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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 grace to those who persecute us.

To stop attending church services, or to stay, apart from revelation, apart from seeing Christ and his body, based only upon the word of some man or group, no matter how true, is not sufficient to escape.  Others may bring us out, but they cannot bring the institutional lifestyle out of us.  This is God's work.

With an awareness of the Body, fellowship is no longer restricted to time, place, church, or denomination, thus opportunities for fellowship abound. But with no consciousness of the Body, only an awareness of our personal pain and harsh treatment at the hands of a few, our defense mechanisms will prevent us from seeking out fellowship or risking further hurt by engaging other believers.

When we enter this Body consciousness we will not find it necessary to stand guard continually and purposely resist all attempts to institutionalise us in the name of God. We don't have to fear what man may do to us. When we have seen Christ and his church, anyone attempting to lord over, corral, enclose, intimidate, manipulate, unlawfully influence, or exert his or her spiritual whims on us is rebuffed with a calm, quiet spirit.

This experiential knowledge of Christ will also enable us to recognize him in others, and call upon us to enter into fellowship with brothers and sisters of all backgrounds. We will not be overly critical or unnecessarily suspicious. The anointing will teach us and lead us into proper relationships with others in the Body. No more will we judge others or restrict ourselves to our little home group, church, or denomination. Our basis for fellowship is Christ, and with him as our common ground we will not be uncomfortable or threatened by people of different philosophical or doctrinal nuances. Either the life is present, or it is not. If it is, we must not call unclean whom God has called clean.

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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 merely be reacting to the obvious wrongs perpetuated in the name of God by organised religion. It is quite possible to be out of the system but still be bound by it, still chained by bitterness and fixated with all that is wrong with the body.

Our whole goal should be to look beyond the external characteristics of how and where people worship. The only way to do this is to have an all-consuming revelation of Christ and the ecclesia, the Body, his church. Once we see that, we will understand that the external accessories of organised religion can neither help nor truly hurt.

Perhaps the fear is that once we are escaped from Churchianity we may be deceived again.  Not so with the one who has seen Christ and his church. Anyone who attempts to lord over, corral, enclose, intimidate, manipulate, unlawfully influence, or exert their spiritual whims upon us will be rebuffed with a calm, quiet spirit. Knowing the truth means seeing through the false.

Do you know something is wrong, but are unable to express what it is?

Rejoice!  This is alright.  God is not silent when something is said or done in his name that he doesn't support (e.g. a televangelist begging for more money, pastors who treat people with contempt, or prophets who speak out of personal imagination).

Are you a member of a local church and accept all that goes on there without being troubled?  Are you able to shrug it off or lightly dismiss it?

Sorry, you are far gone.  Your heart is hard.  Your ears are dull. You are blind like the Pharisees.  Your christianity may be nominal at best.  Even if you are part of a perfect local church, sorry.  The fact the church is isolated from all the others indicates a level of dysfunction.

Are you troubled by all that is proclaimed, confessed, bought and sold, taught, prophesied, promoted, and prayed about these days in Jesus’ name?

The Lord does not take it all in stride, or shrug it off. The responses of Jesus to the organised religionists of his day were many and varied. We find him ...

• Driving the merchants out of the Temple with a scourge of cords
• Engaging in public rejections of the Pharisees, holding them up as shining examples of what not to do
• Being silent, hiding or departing

 

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