Apr

Should I Go Or Should I Stay

Posted by: Sonny in Body of Christ, Church of God, Kingdom, mission, Spiritual Warfare

I asked some questions about denominations on Tuesday. Since I have only been in one, the Church of God-Tennessee, these were real questions I wanted a little discussion about. Not many seemed to have anything to say. I was mainly wondering why some people seem to have an overwhelming love for the institutions of man. Some of the comments and conversations I have read and heard put some peoples love and views of their denominations on a level close to idolatry, in my opinion.

I didn’t join my church because it was in the Church of God. I didn’t join it because I felt all of the beliefs and commitments were so much better or different than others. I did make sure they were not claiming anything blatantly unbiblical. But after that the doctrine of this denomination did not make me jump up and down and declare, this is it, I’ve found the right one. As a matter of fact, the more I have learned and grown I am pretty certain we have a couple of things wrong. It is okay though because everyone does.

So why did I join and stay, you might be asking.

I did it primarily because I sensed the love of God in the people of my local assembly. After being here for seven years, I now not only sense it, I know it. There are a lot of people in my church that love people. But we still have a problem.

I have become more and more concerned with the people outside the walls of my church building, the people in the community that surrounds us every Sunday. Those citizens in Alabaster that sleep in, or go hunting, or wash their clothes and cars, or finish those little home improvement chores, or visit family, or just lay around their homes enjoying the day off; these are the ones I am concerned about because while all of these things may seem harmless, they are really things that serve our adversary and his kingdom and are actually going to cause these people to end up with an eternal sentence that my King does not want. And if my King does not want it, then I don’t either.

So what is our problem at Alabaster?

It is the same problem a lot of churches have. We are okay at dispensing the love God commands of us to most of those that darken our doorways. Visitors are generally welcome and not even ignored by most. And when someone decides to come for a while most do show them some love. We even brainstorm and pray about how to get more people to come. Special programs, holiday fellowships, kid’s crusades, and other ideas are tossed about and some even performed and we have a bigger crowd that day. But that is it; we have a bigger crowd that day.

I am not against these things. I am not against asking everyone we see to come to church. Programs are tools for us to use. They are just not the essence of the mission. I am against our attitudes that reflect that we think we have achieved great things for the Kingdom by doing these things. That we have somehow succeeded at our mission.

The mission our Lord left us with was simple. Jesus told us to go. He told us to make disciples, feed the hungry, care for the widowed, the orphaned, and the imprisoned. We can and should be doing some of this in our churches when they do come. But if you haven’t noticed, most are not coming, even when we ask.

That is why we must start doing the first part. We must go, go where they are, and do the work He would have us do and stop waiting till they show up where we are. So what does this really have to do with denominations?

I just wish some of those that display such passionate devotion to their denominations would display at least the same amount of passion for the true Church, Jesus’ Church, the ekklesia, and for the mission He left us. I just wish more of us were passionate about going.

Love you all

Tags: adversary, alabaster, attitudes, Belief, Church, Church of God, denomination, Fellowship, God, Kingdom, mission, Work

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 9th, 2009 at 11:59 pm and is filed under Body of Christ, Church of God, Kingdom, mission, Spiritual Warfare. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

6 comments so far

Chris

When I attend church, it is at a local Catholic Church here in South Florida. While I am not Catholic, and do not follow all their doctrines, I get a lot out of attending the masses (services). The message given through the bible readings and the Homily (sermon) from the priest is always inspiring. It is always Christ centered, and talks about how individuals can get closer to Jesus.

I don’t think it really matters what it says on the door, but what is says in our hearts. Sonny and I have discussed a few things, and I think we both agree that there are people in all “denominations” that will not get to heaven, and people who will. It is not a group “you’re in” or “you’re out”, but instead an individual journey taken with God. (perhaps with like-minded individuals around you, but still one-to-one).

I also believe that most people are all talk, including me. I know there are more things I could do, but I make excuses like everyone else.

Just for fun – Three guys are standing by a sink that has been running for a while.

Guy one: “Boy, I wish someone hadn’t left that faucet on, that is disgraceful. I can’t believe the nerve of some people,” He says this as he continues to stand there watching.

Guy two: “I sure wish someone would do something about it. All that water wasting, such a shame.” said as he continues to watch the water run down the drain.

Guy three: says nothing, but walks over to the sink, turns the water off and leaves.

We really should all strive to be like guy three and let our actions speak louder than our words.

I am sorry to write so much at one time, but I never know when I will have the opportunity to sit down and write.

April 10th, 2009 at 1:23 am

Sonny

I am glad that you have some time to come by tonight. Comment as much as you want.

You said…

“It is not a group “you’re in” or “you’re out”, but instead an individual journey taken with God.”

As I have grown into this thing called serving God I have found that it is not as individual as we might think. We truly are saved only on a one on one basis but to do as Jesus commanded, to go and make disciples and to not forsake the assembling of ourselves, we must come to the conclusion that the reason we are here is to go, to love, and to be relational. We must reach our brothers and we must reach the brothers to be with loving embrace leading to fellowship. The journey is not so much as a journey with God as it is a journey for God. But He is with us. For far too long we have been going to church instead of being the Church and going. We must change this or there are so many that may not make it that might have.

Think about it.

Love you

April 10th, 2009 at 1:49 am

Chris

What I mean is you are not saved by being Catholic, or by being Baptist. That’s what I meant by group. I agree with you, sorry for the misunderstanding there. Affiliation does not equal salvation is all I mean.

April 10th, 2009 at 6:19 am

Nancy Massey

I agree affiliation does not equal salvation. Some people don’t even have a clue what their declaration of faith is.

I keep on hearing go, go, go. Church is not just the building. This is true but Sun. is not the only day God should be honored. There are 7 days in a week. You can go out and minister every day. People are watching. Especially once they know you claim to be a christian. They are waiting for you to do your thing. If one day you are on the upside of things and you are loving everyone and asking everyone to come to your church and visit but then the next day you are down in the dumps and complaining about everything or even going a step further and really railing over a particular issue and not showing a Christ like attitude what have you done to your own witness with your family, friends and co-workers? We should strive to have a positive impact on all our surroundings. I know some people think events or programs are not the answer and maybe there are more modern ones to be checked out but until someone devises a better plan we should work the plan that is put before us. Go–Go where? Where the lost are and even where some saved are too. I can almost guarantee you that everyone that is at the Easter Egg hunt down the stree from where you live is not ALL saved. Nor are the people at the ball park down the road but if you don’t even go to check it out you will never know. Be bold step out of your compfort zone and GO. If you live near a park or walking track or a shopoping mall or a Starbucks you will be able to find people there that want/need someone to talk to, be willing to take some of you precious time and share something precious with someone.

We wil be meeting at the church (Alabaster Church of God) Sat. at 8:00 a.m. to go to Vetrans Park (this is the park on ll9) to hand out free water at the Easter Egg Hunt. If you have the time and the desire to step out with us please meet us at the church or come on down to the park as your schedule allows. This event will last until 12:00 or better so if you want to join us anytime after 8 come on down. We welcome everyone-this is a group effort and all efforts are appreciated. Please pray for this ministry we only wish to share the love of God with others, give personal invitations to our local churches and offer a drink of water hoping to share the water that Jesus shared to which we will never thirst again.

Love you all,

Nancy

April 10th, 2009 at 9:35 am

wayne

All declarations of faith (or whatever your particular denomination calls them) are made by man.

Find something you agree with. Don’t join if you disagree. When you become a member it is a little more than just paying tithes. You are saying you support the “fill in the blank” articles of faith. I would like to see ACOG grow not just because it is a COG but because Alabaster has room for us to grow.

What Nancey came up with is a perfect example of what is right. Yes, it comes from ACOG, but the message is simple, we care. We are part of the community

We have to have things that include all ages of our community. We have to keep feeding our on so they can GO. You will be surprised what our children can do as far as being a witness. If they invite their classmates to a function that gives you a chance to talk to their parents. It is all a outreach. GO should mean all possible ways. everything is on the table

April 15th, 2009 at 8:27 am

Shannon Mimbs

I think you’re addressing an important topic: the fundamental nature and purpose of the Church. What does it mean to be the Church of God (universally)? What is the purpose of the people of God? An important aspect of this subject is what you have mentioned in other posts (and in your comments on “Sunday-Monday divide” and “Christianity without Christ” at Hope Aflame), which is the self-understanding of the Church after the emergence of Christendom (the merging of the Church and Empire). Somehow or another, we adopted the idea that our communities are best served (and Christ most faithfully represented) when we gather together in church buildings and focus on a more institutionalized model of ministry (to those within the walls). This is definitely painting with a broad-stroke, but, in my understanding, this practice of ministry characterizes many a CoG (SE USA) congregation today. Yet, at the heart of our mission is developing meaningful relationships with the lost (as an overflow of our hopefully-already-developing-meaningful-relationships with each other). Instead of simply inviting folks to church, we are called and empowered to be the church to our family members, neighbors, classmates, co-workers, a passerby, etc. There is no doubt that this is time-consuming and costly. But instead of seeing it as a laborious non-essential, we have to understand (and practice) it as an investment in the advancement of God’s Kingdom.

April 15th, 2009 at 11:17 am