Looking for a church just right for me

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Time is precious especially weekends

Sounds like people shop for churches the way they shop for everything else -- looking for the perfect solution, which, of course they rarely find.

Or if they'd do find it, it doesn't last long, because their needs change.

Worshipping God is way down on the list

I wish this were not true, but it pretty much is. Probably always was, though.

For some people. For others they'll prioritize it over everything else.

And those people who actually worship God don't necessarily go to church.

If you are a Christian - and we're talking about church so I think that's a moderately safe assumption - it's a Biblical command. Hebrews 10:25 and 13:17 are verses where you can see this. Or as 9 Marks says:

Every Christian should join a church because Scripture requires it. Granted, there is no direct command in Scripture that says, “Every Christian must join a local church,” but two factors in Scripture indicate that every Christian should be a member of a local church.

1. Jesus established the church to be a public, earthly institution that would mark out, affirm, and oversee those who profess to believe in him (Matt. 16:18–19, 18:15–20). Jesus established the church to publicly declare those who belong to him in order to give the world a display of the good news about himself (John 17:21, 23; see also Eph. 3:10). Jesus wants the world to know who belongs to him and who doesn’t. And how is the world to know who belongs to him and who doesn’t? They are to see which people publicly identify themselves with his people in the visible, public institution he established for this very purpose. They’re to look at the members of his church. And if some people claim to be part of the universal church even though they belong to no local church, they reject Jesus’ plan for them and his church. Jesus intends for his people to be marked out as a visible, public group, which means joining together in local churches.

2. Scripture repeatedly commands Christians to submit to their leaders (Heb. 13:17; 1 Thess. 5:12–13). The only way to do that is by publicly committing to be members of their flock, and saying in effect, “I commit to listening to your teaching, following your direction, and to submitting to your leadership.” There’s no way to obey the scriptural commands to submit to your leaders if you never actually submit to them by joining a local church.

(https://www.9marks.org/answer/why-should-every-christian-join-church/)

Sounds like the above was written by a pastor wanting to make sure that people go to church. It's in the Bible, after all.

I wonder there's anything in the Bible about tithing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Time is precious especially weekends

Sounds like people shop for churches the way they shop for everything else -- looking for the perfect solution, which, of course they rarely find.

Or if they'd do find it, it doesn't last long, because their needs change.

Worshipping God is way down on the list

I wish this were not true, but it pretty much is. Probably always was, though.

For some people. For others they'll prioritize it over everything else.

And those people who actually worship God don't necessarily go to church.

If you are a Christian - and we're talking about church so I think that's a moderately safe assumption - it's a Biblical command. Hebrews 10:25 and 13:17 are verses where you can see this. Or as 9 Marks says:

Every Christian should join a church because Scripture requires it. Granted, there is no direct command in Scripture that says, “Every Christian must join a local church,” but two factors in Scripture indicate that every Christian should be a member of a local church.

1. Jesus established the church to be a public, earthly institution that would mark out, affirm, and oversee those who profess to believe in him (Matt. 16:18–19, 18:15–20). Jesus established the church to publicly declare those who belong to him in order to give the world a display of the good news about himself (John 17:21, 23; see also Eph. 3:10). Jesus wants the world to know who belongs to him and who doesn’t. And how is the world to know who belongs to him and who doesn’t? They are to see which people publicly identify themselves with his people in the visible, public institution he established for this very purpose. They’re to look at the members of his church. And if some people claim to be part of the universal church even though they belong to no local church, they reject Jesus’ plan for them and his church. Jesus intends for his people to be marked out as a visible, public group, which means joining together in local churches.

2. Scripture repeatedly commands Christians to submit to their leaders (Heb. 13:17; 1 Thess. 5:12–13). The only way to do that is by publicly committing to be members of their flock, and saying in effect, “I commit to listening to your teaching, following your direction, and to submitting to your leadership.” There’s no way to obey the scriptural commands to submit to your leaders if you never actually submit to them by joining a local church.

(https://www.9marks.org/answer/why-should-every-christian-join-church/)

Sounds like the above was written by a pastor wanting to make sure that people go to church. It's in the Bible, after all.

I wonder there's anything in the Bible about tithing?

Nope. Just a regular old parishioner whose not in leadership, not a deacon, not anything (unless you count the occasional stint teaching kids in Sunday school).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Time is precious especially weekends

Sounds like people shop for churches the way they shop for everything else -- looking for the perfect solution, which, of course they rarely find.

Or if they'd do find it, it doesn't last long, because their needs change.

Worshipping God is way down on the list

I wish this were not true, but it pretty much is. Probably always was, though.

For some people. For others they'll prioritize it over everything else.

And those people who actually worship God don't necessarily go to church.

If you are a Christian - and we're talking about church so I think that's a moderately safe assumption - it's a Biblical command. Hebrews 10:25 and 13:17 are verses where you can see this. Or as 9 Marks says:

Every Christian should join a church because Scripture requires it. Granted, there is no direct command in Scripture that says, “Every Christian must join a local church,” but two factors in Scripture indicate that every Christian should be a member of a local church.

1. Jesus established the church to be a public, earthly institution that would mark out, affirm, and oversee those who profess to believe in him (Matt. 16:18–19, 18:15–20). Jesus established the church to publicly declare those who belong to him in order to give the world a display of the good news about himself (John 17:21, 23; see also Eph. 3:10). Jesus wants the world to know who belongs to him and who doesn’t. And how is the world to know who belongs to him and who doesn’t? They are to see which people publicly identify themselves with his people in the visible, public institution he established for this very purpose. They’re to look at the members of his church. And if some people claim to be part of the universal church even though they belong to no local church, they reject Jesus’ plan for them and his church. Jesus intends for his people to be marked out as a visible, public group, which means joining together in local churches.

2. Scripture repeatedly commands Christians to submit to their leaders (Heb. 13:17; 1 Thess. 5:12–13). The only way to do that is by publicly committing to be members of their flock, and saying in effect, “I commit to listening to your teaching, following your direction, and to submitting to your leadership.” There’s no way to obey the scriptural commands to submit to your leaders if you never actually submit to them by joining a local church.

(https://www.9marks.org/answer/why-should-every-christian-join-church/)

Sounds like the above was written by a pastor wanting to make sure that people go to church. It's in the Bible, after all.

I wonder there's anything in the Bible about tithing?

Give 30% of thine money to the church or thou goest straight to Hades. Luke 29:41

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Time is precious especially weekends

Sounds like people shop for churches the way they shop for everything else -- looking for the perfect solution, which, of course they rarely find.

Or if they'd do find it, it doesn't last long, because their needs change.

Worshipping God is way down on the list

Just as well, if you don't really believe in God and many people don't, without knowing it. They go to church for the people and the programs and the convenience. Not to commune with God.

That's what the Unitarian Universalists and the ethical societies are all about - churches without worship. At least they're honest about it.

[Anonymous]

"Hey should we make our church a welcoming and pleasant place that people feel happy to visit."

"Nah, just shame 'em and tell them they're bad if they don't come. That'll work."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Hey should we make our church a welcoming and pleasant place that people feel happy to visit."

"Nah, just shame 'em and tell them they're bad if they don't come. That'll work."

It worked for the Roman Catholic church for centuries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Time is precious especially weekends

Sounds like people shop for churches the way they shop for everything else -- looking for the perfect solution, which, of course they rarely find.

Or if they'd do find it, it doesn't last long, because their needs change.

Worshipping God is way down on the list

I wish this were not true, but it pretty much is. Probably always was, though.

For some people. For others they'll prioritize it over everything else.

And those people who actually worship God don't necessarily go to church.

If you are a Christian - and we're talking about church so I think that's a moderately safe assumption - it's a Biblical command. Hebrews 10:25 and 13:17 are verses where you can see this. Or as 9 Marks says:

Every Christian should join a church because Scripture requires it. Granted, there is no direct command in Scripture that says, “Every Christian must join a local church,” but two factors in Scripture indicate that every Christian should be a member of a local church.

1. Jesus established the church to be a public, earthly institution that would mark out, affirm, and oversee those who profess to believe in him (Matt. 16:18–19, 18:15–20). Jesus established the church to publicly declare those who belong to him in order to give the world a display of the good news about himself (John 17:21, 23; see also Eph. 3:10). Jesus wants the world to know who belongs to him and who doesn’t. And how is the world to know who belongs to him and who doesn’t? They are to see which people publicly identify themselves with his people in the visible, public institution he established for this very purpose. They’re to look at the members of his church. And if some people claim to be part of the universal church even though they belong to no local church, they reject Jesus’ plan for them and his church. Jesus intends for his people to be marked out as a visible, public group, which means joining together in local churches.

2. Scripture repeatedly commands Christians to submit to their leaders (Heb. 13:17; 1 Thess. 5:12–13). The only way to do that is by publicly committing to be members of their flock, and saying in effect, “I commit to listening to your teaching, following your direction, and to submitting to your leadership.” There’s no way to obey the scriptural commands to submit to your leaders if you never actually submit to them by joining a local church.

(https://www.9marks.org/answer/why-should-every-christian-join-church/)

Sounds like the above was written by a pastor wanting to make sure that people go to church. It's in the Bible, after all.

I wonder there's anything in the Bible about tithing?

Give 30% of thine money to the church or thou goest straight to Hades. Luke 29:41

So it was easy to check this "quote" and guess what, it doesn't exist. The Gospel of Luke only has 24 chapters. Do atheists think making up cr@p like this is a actually good look?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Time is precious especially weekends

Sounds like people shop for churches the way they shop for everything else -- looking for the perfect solution, which, of course they rarely find.

Or if they'd do find it, it doesn't last long, because their needs change.

Worshipping God is way down on the list

I wish this were not true, but it pretty much is. Probably always was, though.

For some people. For others they'll prioritize it over everything else.

And those people who actually worship God don't necessarily go to church.

If you are a Christian - and we're talking about church so I think that's a moderately safe assumption - it's a Biblical command. Hebrews 10:25 and 13:17 are verses where you can see this. Or as 9 Marks says:

Every Christian should join a church because Scripture requires it. Granted, there is no direct command in Scripture that says, “Every Christian must join a local church,” but two factors in Scripture indicate that every Christian should be a member of a local church.

1. Jesus established the church to be a public, earthly institution that would mark out, affirm, and oversee those who profess to believe in him (Matt. 16:18–19, 18:15–20). Jesus established the church to publicly declare those who belong to him in order to give the world a display of the good news about himself (John 17:21, 23; see also Eph. 3:10). Jesus wants the world to know who belongs to him and who doesn’t. And how is the world to know who belongs to him and who doesn’t? They are to see which people publicly identify themselves with his people in the visible, public institution he established for this very purpose. They’re to look at the members of his church. And if some people claim to be part of the universal church even though they belong to no local church, they reject Jesus’ plan for them and his church. Jesus intends for his people to be marked out as a visible, public group, which means joining together in local churches.

2. Scripture repeatedly commands Christians to submit to their leaders (Heb. 13:17; 1 Thess. 5:12–13). The only way to do that is by publicly committing to be members of their flock, and saying in effect, “I commit to listening to your teaching, following your direction, and to submitting to your leadership.” There’s no way to obey the scriptural commands to submit to your leaders if you never actually submit to them by joining a local church.

(https://www.9marks.org/answer/why-should-every-christian-join-church/)

Sounds like the above was written by a pastor wanting to make sure that people go to church. It's in the Bible, after all.

I wonder there's anything in the Bible about tithing?

Give 30% of thine money to the church or thou goest straight to Hades. Luke 29:41

So it was easy to check this "quote" and guess what, it doesn't exist. The Gospel of Luke only has 24 chapters. Do atheists think making up cr@p like this is an actually good look?

I assumed it was a joke, with the "thine" and "goest" and "straight to Hades". And I'm no Bible scholar. Besides did the church even exist when Luke was written? Don't know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Time is precious especially weekends

Sounds like people shop for churches the way they shop for everything else -- looking for the perfect solution, which, of course they rarely find.

Or if they'd do find it, it doesn't last long, because their needs change.

Worshipping God is way down on the list

I wish this were not true, but it pretty much is. Probably always was, though.

For some people. For others they'll prioritize it over everything else.

And those people who actually worship God don't necessarily go to church.

If you are a Christian - and we're talking about church so I think that's a moderately safe assumption - it's a Biblical command. Hebrews 10:25 and 13:17 are verses where you can see this. Or as 9 Marks says:

Every Christian should join a church because Scripture requires it. Granted, there is no direct command in Scripture that says, “Every Christian must join a local church,” but two factors in Scripture indicate that every Christian should be a member of a local church.

1. Jesus established the church to be a public, earthly institution that would mark out, affirm, and oversee those who profess to believe in him (Matt. 16:18–19, 18:15–20). Jesus established the church to publicly declare those who belong to him in order to give the world a display of the good news about himself (John 17:21, 23; see also Eph. 3:10). Jesus wants the world to know who belongs to him and who doesn’t. And how is the world to know who belongs to him and who doesn’t? They are to see which people publicly identify themselves with his people in the visible, public institution he established for this very purpose. They’re to look at the members of his church. And if some people claim to be part of the universal church even though they belong to no local church, they reject Jesus’ plan for them and his church. Jesus intends for his people to be marked out as a visible, public group, which means joining together in local churches.

2. Scripture repeatedly commands Christians to submit to their leaders (Heb. 13:17; 1 Thess. 5:12–13). The only way to do that is by publicly committing to be members of their flock, and saying in effect, “I commit to listening to your teaching, following your direction, and to submitting to your leadership.” There’s no way to obey the scriptural commands to submit to your leaders if you never actually submit to them by joining a local church.

(https://www.9marks.org/answer/why-should-every-christian-join-church/)

Sounds like the above was written by a pastor wanting to make sure that people go to church. It's in the Bible, after all.

I wonder there's anything in the Bible about tithing?

Give 30% of thine money to the church or thou goest straight to Hades. Luke 29:41

So it was easy to check this "quote" and guess what, it doesn't exist. The Gospel of Luke only has 24 chapters. Do atheists think making up cr@p like this is a actually good look?

And you fell for it! Not a good look.