Am I wrong for not wanting to be a member at a church?

Question

I recently left a church after three and half years, to make a long story short, there was a lot of legalism going on, basically verbal abuse going on over the pulpit, works were encouraged more than anything, the main focus was getting members, we were instructed to go out and evangelize, at which I had no problem doing, but each of us had to report how many were saved, and how many got prayer. I felt the people needed more than saying the sinners prayer.  I was in school full time and worked full time, so in the latter I wasn't able to make the church services as often, I was accused of not keeping the sabbath day holy.  Also there were no other ministries like( singles, children, etc) nothing but spiritual.

When I wrote a letter explaining that I was leaving, the leaders requested a meeting.  I was told that I may be devoured by wolves because I no longer had a covering and the leaders said that they did not think I was making a good decision by leaving!

I am not a church hooper or any-ting like that, I love the true Body of Christ, but lately I don't want to join another church and churches only reach out to you if you or on their membership. 

Am I wrong, I will give to ministries as God direct!

? · Accepted Answer

Whatever your reason for leaving a church should be guided by God. If you are accused of not keeping the sabbath...You simply are not in a Christian church.......>

If they say you will be devoured without the church....not true again. God takes care of His elect not the church.......>

When you go out and evangelize, how are you suppose to report back how many were saved? Thats Gods job not ours.....Our job is to preach the truth in love and God does the converting...........success is not when someone says "I believe" ....Success is preaching the gospel faithfully..........>

Feel free to email me if you would like. I would be glad to help if I can.......>

Hogie · Answer

There are a number of red flags that arose in the reading of the above.

I don't quite know where to begin.

1.  Christians are not a party to the old covenant wherein is the sabbath command. It was to be the sign of that covenant between God and the Israelites.  

2.  Verbal abuse is common in legalistic churches, as it's all performance oriented.  

3.  The "true" body of Christ is a spiritual organism, made up of those who are in possession of the Holy Spirit, regardless of what church corporate they happen to attend.  It is not a church corporate.  Cults commonly redefine things like this so as to convince people their church is the "one and only true church."  Christians are connected directly to Christ.  We are the branches; Christ is the vine.  A false church seeks to place themselves between the members and Christ, and that sounds like the case with this church and its leadership.

Run, don't walk, to the nearest exit.

.

Shakim H · Answer

No you're not wrong at all, in fact, the practices and things you mentioned were definitely NOT accord with the Bible anyway, so those religious practices are something you would've wanted to avoid anyway.

How can you know if your church and/or religion is the right one?

Matthew 24:14 "And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come."

The only organization accomplishing a global preaching campaign in these critical, last days are Jehovah's Witnesses. If you truly have a desire to find the only true God, a righteous/clean/bible-based only organization and have any/all of your questions answered. Click the link below and one of Jehovah's Witnesses would be glad to offer you a free home Bible study at your convenience.

https://watch002.securesites.net/e/contact/submit.htm

? · Answer

I would say you've done nothing by leaving that church.  They really seem misguided based on what you've said.  However, I would highly recommend finding a church that does follow the bible and not man's whims.

After all...

Hebrews 10:23-25
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

God clearly wants us to go to church.  You just have to make sure that church is following the bible's teachings.

I hope this helps!

? · Answer

It IS better to have fellowship but it's not wrong to leave a church because you don't feel any affinity to it. I hope in time you find a church that you can truly say you belong. 

In the meantime it can get very easy to neglect the scriptures and praying, even for the strong-minded; take care not to. God bless.

Anonym · Answer

What in the heck kind of church have you been going to??? I'm nondenominational and we believe Jesus doesn't live in the church. In the bible Jesus NEVER preached his word in a church, he was on the streets preaching to people who needed the word of God, Alcoholics, people in prison, people down on there luck, people who were poor and had no one to turn to. As Christians our true life's work is though good work in our community and though out the world, not just other Christians that go to our church! Churches like the one you went to are what give Christians a bad name!

JimBrewski · Answer

you're not wrong. Here are some articles that might help...

Seven Things You Need to Know About Prayer http://www.watchtower.org/e/archives/index.htm#christian_life

What Does It Mean to Be a Christian? http://www.watchtower.org/e/200704b/article_01.htm

What Does the Bible Really Teach? http://www.watchtower.org/e/bh/article_00.htm

Anonym · Answer

First, there is no "church" in the religion of Christ. "Church" is a "gift" of Rome perpetrated into English by the Anglicans Bibles. Ekklesia is literally the out-called (disciples of Christ) by His gospel to whom all are in fellowship with each other because of their fellowship with Christ 
(1 John 1:1-4). It is in Christ that we gather together in fellowship (Mt. 18:20) in the Lord's Supper (I Cor. 10:16-17 "we") as Christ's ekklesia in congregations/assemblies to worship together and to edify each other. 
How else can we share in common?
  
 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in 
showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve 
the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in 
prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse 
them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 
(Romans 12:9-15 -ESV)

May you grow in GOD's peace as you grow to maturity in His Son.

Bless you, jack

Water Maiden · Answer

You don't have to be in a building to have faith in God. If at some point you want to join another church,find one that's more enlightened than your old one.

soup · Answer

god NEVER directed to give to ministries, priest and pasters do.
Fireball you were in a cult...that explains it then

Am I wrong for not wanting to be a member at a church?

13 Antworten