I\u2019ve stopped going to church.\u00a0 I\u2019ve mulled over the decision for years and tried to contemplate all the ramifications and nuances of my choice.\u00a0 Critical mass was reached and there is no turning back.\u00a0 I\u2019m done!<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t misunderstand; I\u2019m still meeting with believers on Sunday and other days, but it\u2019s not church and I won\u2019t call it that.\u00a0 It might be a gathering, a meeting, a fellowship, a swarm or a gaggle, but it is not church.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m the church; so is every follower of Jesus.\u00a0 The old Greek word we translate \u201cchurch\u201d took on a new meaning when Paul got done writing about the followers of Jesus.\u00a0 He elevated it to describe all those who lived in union with the Son of God through the agency of the Holy Spirit.\u00a0 When he was done, its old meaning of political and \u00a0community group activity was transformed.\u00a0 It now described the Lord\u2019s Body, His Bride, those who were His and shared His life and death.<\/p>\n
Words have meanings; and without a common understanding, we cannot communicate.\u00a0 Words can also change meaning over time.\u00a0 I just used the example of how the New Testament changed the old Greek word \u201cecclesia\u201d.\u00a0 Some have even purposefully redefined words in order to bring about social change.\u00a0 I\u2019m reminded of that each Christmas when I sing about donning gay apparel.<\/p>\n
Over the years the meaning of the word \u201cchurch\u201d has morphed into something not supported by scripture.\u00a0 I am a part of His church 24\/7, at home, at work, at play and even meeting with other believers.\u00a0 God doesn\u2019t live in a building, and I don\u2019t need an appointment to meet with Him.\u00a0 We, God and I, live together.\u00a0 He is as close as my skin and breath; and beyond that, we will be together when skin and breath are gone.<\/p>\n
Protestant Christianity has become so enamored with numbers, crowds and programs that more energy is given to meetings than to everyday living.\u00a0 The morphing of the word can and does lead people to believe that attending a meeting is the same as a relationship with Jesus.\u00a0 The Bible teaches us that the Lord lives within, that our hearts are His dwelling place, that our bodies are His temple.<\/p>\n
Meetings are still important, and we are warned against abandoning gathering with other believers.\u00a0 However, what goes on when we meet and what we think about that meeting needs to be brought under the authority of scripture.<\/p>\n
Christianity is not a meeting!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I\u2019ve stopped going to church.\u00a0 I\u2019ve mulled over the decision for years and tried to contemplate all the ramifications and nuances of my choice.\u00a0 Critical mass was reached and there is no turning back.\u00a0 I\u2019m done! Don\u2019t misunderstand; I\u2019m still meeting with believers on Sunday and other days, but it\u2019s not church and I won\u2019t … Continue reading I\u2019ve stopped going to church.<\/span>