Sunday, June 29, 2008
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Isololationist Christian.
I woke up at ten to eight this morning, stretched onto my stomach and glanced at the clock. There was no way I could make the first church service looking halfway decent. I shut my eyes, rolled over onto my back and began wondering if I should get up for the second. "What's the point of going to church anyway," I wondered. "That's what the internet is for, to listen to the pastor's sermon after it's been posted. Worship isn't always great there anyway...but I do have laundry to do at my parent's...and church is halfway to their home..."
I had been up late last night watching a movie with a friend, and I told him I was going to churc
h in the morning. This is the biggest thing that made me climb out of bed and into the shower; this guy, though saying he believes and hasn't as yet been scared off by the Bibles on my coffee table, doesn't go to church. My constant "name-dropping" of God's influence over my life and the stacks of Christian literature in my living-room are only objects: the real testament to my faith is whether I keep my word. As I showered, my rationale for going today moved to Jesus' sacrifice for me. Why shouldn't I want to go to church? Why has it become a chore? Is it because church isn't as exciting as Detroit was a few weeks ago when our Wings won the cup? If church today was that energizing and real, we couldn't keep people away from the pews. But that's a different post...
What is the point of going to church? I didn't always think there was one. Most people are literate today, able to read the Bible and Christian non-fiction on their own. I have my Sunday-morning preacher line-up on TV, and I am capable of studying the Bible myself. So why go?
Well, why would God continue to raise up teachers and pastors if he didn't think we all have something we need to be taught? If he wanted literacy and the internet to make ministers obsolete, he would have done so. But the church-buildings are still about, and therefore must be important in his eyes.
The age of technology makes it very easy to isolate ourselves; anything we want to do to socialize with others can be done without having to breathe the air they breathe. The internet venue is an amazingly powerful tool to reach the lost and foundering in the Kingdom of Jesus...but we can't let it give us an excuse to isolate ourselves.
Jesus, after all, came in the flesh...not in a series of letters or in the voices of prophets. Says to me that socializing with his Church-body in person is still important.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14, NIV
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Comments (9)
Once again, a lovely post. I'm going to miss your little "inspirationals"!
This is a good post and something we have been thinking a lot about in our home lately. We moved to a different state over a year ago and haven't found a church home yet. I am watching my old church on the internet as I write this comment, but just watching church on the internet isn't the same as being there in person (duh).
Someone once said that being a Christian meant being part of a community and that the Christian life cannot be genuinely lived in isolation. In this dry season of ours, we are beginning to long for that community. We used to focus so much on checking people's doctrine as if people live by their own doctrines (most don't). For us, I think that it is coming down to wanting to be around real people, not hypocrites. If their doctrine doesn't match 100% with what we believe, that's okay.
When I say doctrine, I think most Christians will agree, but some groups have to talk in tongues, some won't allow women to wear pants, some won't allow you to drink a beer with your meal, some want you to pray to Mary, some want you believe everything an uneducated pastor says without questioning it, etc...
Hearing a sermon and singing a song is only a small part of going to church... Community is a bigger and more important reason.
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:23-25)
I suppose I could hang out with any people who believe this with me:
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Well this was timely, seeing how I just posted about my lack of motivation!
@GermanWrench - "Miss?" Where are you going?
@cotaroba - I am so happy that you understand what I am saying. Also thrilled you posted that verse. I knew someone said that in the Bible, just didn't have an idea if it was OT or NT.
As for your testament of faith: exactly what I feel. Matters that you mentioned such as how various denominations view tongues, dress, alcohol consumption in moderation, worship styles, etc...they're merely differences of opinion, and not likely to keep anyone out of Heaven. The other two you mentioned...I can't make a judgment. Fortunately I'm not the final Judge. :)
Wonderful comments, thank you. I'll pray you and your family find to a good Christian community. I admit I've never thought about that portion of the sacrifice you make for our country. I do thank God for the military men and women like yourself and most definitely for your families. I know I've said it before, but nevertheless...
I would say one thing about church is that within the limits of debatable facts we are challnged and this helps us defend our faith to others. I definitly agree with what you say about your word being your true testament
@Cygnus33 - I'm going off to basic training -- I'm going to go through Xanga withdrawal. Two whole months without internet -- yikes! ;)
My husband lost faith in churches so we don't go. But like many others out there..I study the word, and use the internet and watch sermons on tv. There is something else I do. I found Kaneva. It's a virtual reality world. and an avatar represents you. And I have met alot of christians on there. And we meet every Wednesday for prayer, worship, and a reading of God's word. I've seen people come to Christ on there too. I know.. sounds pretty far fetch. But it's true. I wish I could go to a church and fellowship in that way. But this will do for now.
Christina
Hi Laura,
My name is Joe and I'm 61 years old and I'm a friend of Chet's. He asked me to stop by and pay you a visit. I also live in Eastpointe, Mi...a suburb of Detroit as you probably know. So I'm sort of your next door neighbor. I read your blog and found it interesting. I go to the Word of Faith International Christian Center located in Southfield, Michigan. Bishop Keith Butler is our pastor and I recommend that you drop by and pay us a visit sometime. My answer to why should we go to church is simply because it is a commandment in the Word. In church you have the opportunity to get under the Corporate annointing that the Holy Spirit provides. I have also spent many Sundays at home watching t.v. for my favorite Chrtistian stations. The annointing on t.v. is not near as much as it is when you come together to serve the Lord. I do understand what you say, because I've been there myself.
You have an interesting blogsite and I've never seen one with all of the posts outlined such as you have. So you do good work and I take my hat off to recognize a job well done. Keep your faith strong by reading God's Word. For faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. You are in a walk that never ends. You might as well make the best of your adventure by going to a church that feeds your spiritman the best food. I guess I'm just sold on Word of Faith, but there are several other churches in the Detroit area that are quite good. Please feel free to drop by my site and read some of my material if you want. I feel like a father figure in comparison to you. It's been good to visit you. God bless you.
Joe Smith
Sometimes it's only the verses about not neglecting to meet together, in Hebrews, that gets me to church. And then I remember the persecuted church, and am ashamed. I am trying to do better.