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I quit church

Rollo Tamasi

Rollo Tamasi

Warrior for Christ
Member
My wife and I quit church.
After over 32 years of faithful going to church, and my wife her entire life, we have quit for what seems for good.
Our current church, no need to knock denominations, just made a new rule; be a member or you can't participate in any ministries.
So my wife, faithful to the women's prayer group every Tuesday morning, was told by the group leader she could no longer attend.
We will not become members and be forced to follow man made rules.

So I looked in the internet at all the churches in our area that we have yet to try, and we determined they are all the same.
They want membership, they want you to follow the rules, they want to control you in some way.

And we don't buy it.
So we watched Charles Stanley for an hour today and will make a church service at home from now on.
 
Allen Wynne said:
Be a member or you can't participate in any ministries.
Click to expand...
The church I attend when I can doesn't have a membership other than being born of God which makes all in Christ the Church, and of course if someone isn't of Christ, I sure wouldn't want them preaching.

The way I see the Church and its members addressed in most of Revelation is like that of Rev 2:8 And unto the angel (Pastor) of the CHURCH (all in Christ) IN Smyrna . .
Otherwise we end up with the option of carnality as we read of in 1Co 3:4. For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

I reckon I'm a lot like you brother, even though I love Christian fellowship, I'd just as soon stay at home as listen to a lie, even if it is from a Christian's mouth. :shrug

Oh, BTW, this reminds me a lot of those OSICLI groups; I bet they have memberships too, but of course they don't sin because they love our LORD. :)
 
Eugene said:
The church I attend when I can doesn't have a membership other than being born of God which makes all in Christ the Church, and of course if someone isn't of Christ, I sure wouldn't want them preaching.

The way I see the Church and its members addressed in most of Revelation is like that of Rev 2:8 And unto the angel (Pastor) of the CHURCH (all in Christ) IN Smyrna . .
Otherwise we end up with the option of carnality as we read of in 1Co 3:4. For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

I reckon I'm a lot like you brother, even though I love Christian fellowship, I'd just as soon stay at home as listen to a lie, even if it is from a Christian's mouth. :shrug

Oh, BTW, this reminds me a lot of those OSICLI groups; I bet they have memberships too, but of course they don't sin because they love our LORD. :)
Click to expand...
God gives us a set of rules to live by.
Man says "that's not enough, we need more.
 
Allen Wynne said:
My wife and I quit church.
After over 32 years of faithful going to church, and my wife her entire life, we have quit for what seems for good.
Our current church, no need to knock denominations, just made a new rule; be a member or you can't participate in any ministries.
So my wife, faithful to the women's prayer group every Tuesday morning, was told by the group leader she could no longer attend.
We will not become members and be forced to follow man made rules.

So I looked in the internet at all the churches in our area that we have yet to try, and we determined they are all the same.
They want membership, they want you to follow the rules, they want to control you in some way.

And we don't buy it.
So we watched Charles Stanley for an hour today and will make a church service at home from now on.
Click to expand...
And so my vision for another reformation in the church comes to life again.

When hard, hard times hit the United States the underground church will begin flourish. It will no have no big budgets that compel pastors to trap people into membership (which translated means $$ support). I'd like to see a grass roots movement rise up that brings back the small church, low budget, Bible teaching concept and which will reject mega-church thinking.
 
Sometimes I wonder how Jesus felt when He went to the houses of worship. We have some indications and stories, but I am pretty sure it's just a few compared to the number of times He went.

I hate to hear when someone gets to this point you have reached Allen. I've been there myself, and I remember laying awake at night, listening to my parents fight about it. I think it happens across the board with people who meet with others based on desiring God, verses those who just want to be a member of something 'good'.

Funny thing is, you can't quit the church - you are the church. :tongue

Yea, I know what you mean, but it's true. I 'go' to church now simply to wait for that one time God needs me there. Kind of like how the early Apostles went to the synagogue. If I'm not present in that location then He can't use me there.

It would be nice to find an honest gathering of believers though. I think they are out there, don't give up hope.
 
Nathan said:
It would be nice to find an honest gathering of believers though. I think they are out there, don't give up hope.
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I know there are enough of us out there to form groups in all our communities. Can this happen? Can we start a new movement in the church? A movement away from mega-church glory back to the simplicity of small Bible teaching meetings with praise and worship, prayer for each other, and fellowship attached?

Are there enough humble leaders of the church available and willing to lead such a movement?
 
Do you have one of these churches by you?

Hopefully, it's as cool as this one:

I bet you could slip in unnoticed and never have to worry about membership.
 
They are around mostly in the small churches .. There are even some that have connections to a large group... Members might not have all the conveniences they want ... like paid child care (cause parents refuse to control the kids) ... carpeted floors ... fancy pews...sound systems.... but they are there...
 
2Co_6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
Rom_12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
 
Jethro Bodine said:
I know there are enough of us out there to form groups in all our communities. Can this happen? Can we start a new movement in the church? A movement away from mega-church glory back to the simplicity of small Bible teaching meetings with praise and worship, prayer for each other, and fellowship attached?

Are there enough humble leaders of the church available and willing to lead such a movement?
Click to expand...
We are that movement. We are the church. When we meet with others, whenever and wherever, we are that gathering.

No one said it had to be done a specific time a week, or day, or place, or number. We are being the church right now.

Yes, I think it would be cool to have it localized here in my state/city, so I could actually shake hands and look into the eyes of fellow believers. But guess what, I do that when I do go to the local 'church' building.

Don't think this is pessimism, because this is realism. If you start 'home' churches, that are just like small scaled 'building' churches - without some of the garb and traditions of the bigger ones - you will eventually find yourself in the same situation, just on a smaller scale. You will either be forced to accept/deny something you don't want to - or you'll be the one making others do it.

I'll continue to meet with the same group of people I have been meeting with until they tell me to leave. When they no longer want me there, then I will not go. However, while I am there I will be a member of Christs church and do what it is that He called me to do. I am no longer disappointed or hurt when I 'go' to church because I do not look to that(or any) 'place' for my food or drink. I find the things I need to survive come from God alone.
 
Those things in them selves are not bad ..until the importance or the proper order of things is out of wack..
 
Allen Wynne , have you checked out the Church of the Enlightened Ones in town yet?

Seriously, though. How can the church raise up a grass roots movement of small churches (not home churches, though they may have to start out that way) where open Bible study with controlled participation and discussion is the emphasis, and where praise and worship, prayer, and fellowship is included? How do we find leaders who will lead such a movement? I don't think it's about finding people who will be interested in that kind of 'church'. It's a matter of an anointed leadership leading it and administering such a vision.
 
Jethro Bodine said:
You mean like how the church somehow managed to survive for centuries before all of these things?
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Jethro Bodine said:
Allen Wynne , have you checked out the Church of the Enlightened Ones in town yet?

Seriously, though. How can the church raise up a grass roots movement of small churches (not home churches, though they may have to start out that way) where open Bible study with controlled participation and discussion is the emphasis, and where praise and worship, prayer, and fellowship is included? How do we find leaders who will lead such a movement? I don't think it's about finding people who will be interested in that kind of 'church'. It's a matter of an anointed leadership leading it and administering such a vision.
Click to expand...
the answer is for you to pray about it
Jesus never did anything without first praying to his father
the mighty warriors of Christianity were men of prayer
 
Jethro Bodine said:
Allen Wynne , have you checked out the Church of the Enlightened Ones in town yet?

Seriously, though. How can the church raise up a grass roots movement of small churches (not home churches, though they may have to start out that way) where open Bible study with controlled participation and discussion is the emphasis, and where praise and worship, prayer, and fellowship is included? How do we find leaders who will lead such a movement? I don't think it's about finding people who will be interested in that kind of 'church'. It's a matter of an anointed leadership leading it and administering such a vision.
Click to expand...
I.agree but church of elightened ones ,lol

You mean non osas,arminist.he won't go there as pastir Anton is preaching
 
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