Christ First Forum

by **Remnant** » 02 Mar 2011, 08:32

I have seen lately that a lot of Christians have stopped going to church. Is their a reason why and is it okay to not ever attend a local fellowship of believers. What do you say.

by **JWayne** » 02 Mar 2011, 09:24

I say that that God says...we are not to forsake the assembly, so no we should not stop going to church. We should be in church now more than ever! We desperately need the fellowship and leadership of our brothers and sisters. As for the reason, I see it as part of 'the great falling away" and it is a sign of the closeness of His glorious return.

by **Carmela** » 02 Mar 2011, 09:37

I agree with Wayne, however there are times when there is no church around which is my case. I prefer an Assembly of God church, but will attend wherever the true Word is being preached. My local AOG is not in alignment with Scripture and tends to align themselves with the current pentacostal movement which is demonic. I was attending a local Free Methodist Church but they don't have a pastor at the moment and the people are worldly and not serious about God. I get spiritually fed from great old sermons by Spurgeon, Chambers, etc. off the computer. And through my own studies. Sometimes, there just is no choice but then God steps up to the plate and meets the need. I have unusual circumstances, tho.

by **DonO56** » 02 Mar 2011, 10:47

In todays era of apostasy error compromise I think 95% of "churches" are more dangerous than learning on your own or home schooling if you will. This being said I do think fellowship is important and we may need to develope relationships with like minded believers and have home based fellowships or diligently seek out a church that is preaching the truth. (GOOD LUCK THERE).

by **AHeartofJoye** » 02 Mar 2011, 16:45

I agree with Wayne and Carmela.
As with Carmela , where I live there is not a church that is in (my humble opinion) alignment with Scripture and my solid core (Baptist) beliefs.
Most of the churches in my area that are fairly close in location, are used by other religions - New Age, Catholic, and Korean.

by **JWayne** » 02 Mar 2011, 19:02

I guess since I am dead center of the Biblebelt, that is not a problem here. For those that are not able to attend, what about home groups?

by **Carmela** » 02 Mar 2011, 19:40

For me there is no one to have a home group with. The only "Christians" I know attend the churches I mentioned and like it there. The country is great but it does have it's drawbacks.

by **AHeartofJoye** » 03 Mar 2011, 05:57

Same as Carmela for me, no home groups... I live in the sticks, lol!

by **Remnant** » 03 Mar 2011, 18:34

My answer is it all depends.

The first thing one must take into consideration is who, what and where is the church.

The church is not a building or a place, but a people. Believers and the bride of Christ is the church.

The early church gathered in a house and have gathered in buildings every since. It is beneficial to gather together for worship and hearing of the word of God preached. How can one hear without a preacher and faith comes by hearing the word preached.

Choosing a place of fellowship and worship gets harder by the day as the apostasy abounds and the great falling away take place.

The Local assemblies are good and should be attended to keep us accountable and to help us grow in the knowledge of the truth. God has given gifts of shepherding and teaching and preaching etc. and I still believe the best format and place for the church to meet is in a local fellowship or Church building led by a bible teaching and preaching shepherd.

Going or not going to these facilities does not save us nor does it make us more spiritual. Yet we are commanded to compel people to come into the house of God. Again, where and what is the house of God. It can and has been beneficial and still is today.

If one cannot find a church or local fellowship like in Joye's or Carmela's case then they need a healthy alternative to keep fellowship with other believers or the church. It does not replace or take the place of, but it can help.

I would keep looking and searching and it might be a good idea to set up meeting with the local pastors of churches nearby to find out what they teach and how they worship in that search process.

A word of warning to you who do not attend church regularly, be cautious in your choosing of whom to fellowship on the internet and be very selective and discerning what is of the Lord and who is in line with the word of God. Blogs are especial a breeding ground for false teaching and doctrine because their is no accountability.

If you would like to discuss this further, please feel free.

by **Carmela** » 03 Mar 2011, 19:43

I totally understand what you are talking about, Frank, and I am very careful where I fellowship online. I feel that I have a healthy group of people via the internet. As you know, I tend toward the pentacostal but today's version is so wrong that I find myself in the company of more fundamentalist people! I desire that freedom of worship in the Holy Spirit that is frowned upon by the more conservative groups. I feel like I don't belong on either side. My son and his family attend a Southern Baptist church which is part of the Southern Baptist Convention and it seems to be the perfect combination of solid foundation and freedom in the Holy Spirit. It's very difficult today. Where I am, I know everybody and I don't care for any of the pastors.

by **AHeartofJoye** » 03 Mar 2011, 21:19

I was raised within the Brethren faith, then in the late 1980's attended, and was baptized within the Southern Baptist Church - which I still hold membership.
I am very cautious in my selection of both online and offline Christian fellowship. I have tried, if you will, a few churches within my general location, but they proved to be
off center from what I was accustomed/comfortable with (Charismatic, Non Denominational with a twist of Catholicism). I guess you could say that I 'tested' them and found them not to my core values.

As for my online/internet fellowship/forums/groups - CFF is the only online forum that I actively hold membership. I have 'tried' a few others, and not found
them to be the right combination if you will. I'm not into bickering and bantering, which a few of these groups feed off. Ephesians 5:9
Ultimately, a 'home church' with sound Christian fellowship, would bring a deeper maturity in my working knowledge of God's Word.
Attendance in a 'home church' would/could also form friendship with 'like minded persons.

by **Remnant** » 03 Mar 2011, 22:23

I understand fully why it is so difficult to find a church or local fellowship this day and time. I know a lot of brothers and sisters who do not attend a local church or fellowship anymore.

The greatest need of the hour for believers is a sound and scriptural knowledge of truth concerning the word of God and a discerning spirit. Their are still some great local assemblies and bible preaching pastors. I have known some very good preachers who were lousy pastors and not so good preachers who were great pastors. Finding a healthy balance is hard but not impossible. There is no perfect church.

I am so thankful for this fellowship here and do not take it for granted. I praise God for each and everyone of you.

We must always seek the Lord in these matters and test the spirits.

by **AHeartofJoye** » 04 Mar 2011, 05:47

I am so thankful for this fellowship here and do not take it for granted. I praise God for each and everyone of you.
We must always seek the Lord in these matters and test the spirits. - Remnant

I'm thankful that God put it into your heart brother Frank to create and maintain CFF. God uses the internet, and I'm blessed to have been lead here by God.
Always seek the Lord, and test the spirits...

:batr

by **Carmela** » 04 Mar 2011, 14:14

AHeartofJoye wrote:

I am so thankful for this fellowship here and do not take it for granted. I praise God for each and everyone of you.
We must always seek the Lord in these matters and test the spirits. - Remnant

I'm thankful that God put it into your heart brother Frank to create and maintain CFF. God uses the internet, and I'm blessed to have been lead here by God.
Always seek the Lord, and test the spirits...

Amen and amen!!

by **AHeartofJoye** » 04 Mar 2011, 16:35

I'm so happy to have 'met you all here' -
:yagl

I'm confident that our wondrous Lord Jesus, has great plans for this 'Christ Centered' forum of believers!
May this forum bring God Glory!

Thank you Frank for maintaining CFF - the best Christ centered forum on the world wide web!

Christ First Forum

Should Christians Stop Going to Church

Should Christians Stop Going to Church

Should Christians Stop Going to Church

Re: Should Christians Stop Going to Church

Re: Should Christians Stop Going to Church

Re: Should Christians Stop Going to Church

Re: Should Christians Stop Going to Church

Re: Should Christians Stop Going to Church

Re: Should Christians Stop Going to Church

Re: Should Christians Stop Going to Church

Re: Should Christians Stop Going to Church

Re: Should Christians Stop Going to Church

Re: Should Christians Stop Going to Church

Re: Should Christians Stop Going to Church

Re: Should Christians Stop Going to Church

Re: Should Christians Stop Going to Church

Re: Should Christians Stop Going to Church

Who is online