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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