Christians Who Don't Go to Church – vol 2

Introduction

Listen, if one becomes a Christian by faith and continues as a Christian by faith, where does the idea come from that being a Christian means attending church? Welcome to volume three of "Christianarchy Today" with Ethan and Steve. I'm Sean McCraney. We left with a cliffhanger because Ethan lobbed a provocative statement into the conversation. He said it's inevitable, referencing the Roman Empire, that when people gather, they form cliques that become divisive, power-driven, and money-oriented.

The Role of Love in Christianity

This observation left Steve with something on his mind, which he's eager to share. Steve suggests this could tie into the love aspect of a Christian's life. When there is division and judgment, it can serve as a test for you to apply the love you have learned about. If you isolate yourself all day, you won't have the chance to love anybody in the real world. If church is the place where you get that opportunity, it could be beneficial.

Faith isn't monastic. People have had the idea that you retreat into solitude to practice real Christianity. However, Jesus taught us that faith is communal. Church can be the place where your faith is tested. Teachings might be uncertain, and the environment may be imperfect, but it's about coming together as people who love each other even amidst the chaos.

Is Church Attendance Necessary?

For those of you who are elder LDS or Christian and not going to church, it might be because your own lack of faith and love gets exposed. By attending, you can learn how to love difficult people. Religion often involves challenging individuals who bring their trials to church, and you have to love them despite these challenges.

Control, Attendance, and Power

Where does the idea that being a Christian includes attending church come from? It likely stems from those who control the church, as attendance and tithing bring money. Once men learned to manipulate the gospel to bring in members and create appealing experiences, church attendance became a means to an end.

Historically, churches were linked to political power and influence over people's lives. Men basked in the power they accrued, and the more people they could gather and influence, the more control they had. This is a key reason why the concept of church attendance became so ingrained.

Biblical Justifications for Church

Neither of you mentioned that in the New Testament, there were churches in places like Ephesus, Corinth, and Thyatira—physical gatherings of believers. Reading the Bible today, some believe we should follow that model. However, as you mentioned at the end of last week's show, this model often leads to men rising to power automatically.

The Influence of Organized Religion

The discussion around organized religion often raises essential questions about control, manipulation, and genuine faith. By examining religious institutions and their evolution, we can uncover how they have capitalized on historical events and transformed into powerful entities.

Evolution of Religious Institutions

Capitalizing on Historical Events

In the New Testament era, significant events paved the way for what would become major religious movements today. These movements, such as South Mountain turning into a multi-million dollar industry or the rise of the Mormon Church, have capitalized on the teachings and occurrences detailed in the New Testament.

When stepping outside of the religious framework, it becomes apparent that there is a certain level of manipulation occurring in the name of Christ. This raises the question of whether these developments are authentic expressions of faith or merely a capitalization on historical events.

The Role of the Church Today

Many letters in the New Testament aimed to help believers cope with their problems and gather as a community. However, the question remains: what role should the church play in modern Christianity?

Some Christians today might argue that communal worship and church attendance are not necessary to their personal faith. Convincing someone to believe in the necessity of church can be challenging, as faith is a deeply personal journey that ultimately depends on an individual's relationship with God.

The Holy Spirit: Individual and Collective Faith

The Holy Spirit is often debated in terms of its role in individual faith versus collective belief. It is generally considered to be an individual experience, residing within believers as a result of their faith and God's grace. This prompts the question of how church attendance and community gatherings fit into personal spiritual journeys.

Church as a Fuel for Faith

Church participation can be likened to a truck delivering love to the world. The church acts as fuel, enabling believers to continue their journey of faith. However, just as bad fuel can damage a truck's engine, a negative church experience can harm one's love for others and faith practice.

This analogy highlights how some churches, with their divisive practices, cause harm and division. This is evident in examples like the Westboro Baptist Church.

Changing the Image of Christianity

Improving the perception of Christianity is crucial, especially for those who have been disenchanted with organized religion. Many former churchgoers feel alienated due to the actions and messages propagated by certain denominations or figures.

Celebrities like Joel Osteen and Kenneth Copeland, with their wealth and influence, are often criticized for prioritizing power and financial gain over genuine faith. This perception needs to change within the Christian community to mend the image of Christianity and restore its true purpose.

The Perception of Christianity and Church Tradition

The views and perceptions surrounding Christianity often influence the perceived image of what the faith entails. This perception is a significant issue that we, as a church, need to work on collectively. Although this discussion has been ongoing for 2,000 years, there are still aspects we haven't fully addressed.

Reconsidering the Church Structure

An intriguing proposition has been raised: perhaps God never intended for the establishment known as the church, in its brick-and-mortar form, to exist among believers as it currently does. Could it be that the church should be a loosely knit group of people who come together without rigid structures? Imagine an environment where someone could teach, members could eat together, and engage in communal activities without the necessity of tithes, grand buildings, or large concerts designed to attract crowds for monetary gain.

A Return to Simplicity

I've never considered this perspective until now, but I find myself agreeing. I believe that the church was meant to be a local group of believers coming together, growing in faith, and worshipping collectively. However, over time, the church's original intent has been distorted as individuals have found ways to profit from it, which seems inevitable given societal trends.

Christianity Beyond Church Walls

• Can a Christian obtain and retain the Holy Spirit without church attendance? Yes, of course.
• Is it possible for a Christian to read and absorb the word of God without attending church? Certainly.
• Can one associate with like-minded believers without physically going to a church? Absolutely.

The Purpose of the Church

If churches are laden with additional structures and requirements, one might wonder why they are necessary. Let's push the envelope further: Can a person receive baptism without a church? Yes, I believe so. This brings us to important questions: Can a woman baptize her husband, for instance? Scripture doesn't explicitly prohibit such occurrences. Yet, traditional customs have led us to organize these practices for money and power reasons.

Rethinking Baptism

Consider the idea that you might have a better baptism experience outside the traditional church setting. Imagine being baptized in the presence of hundreds or thousands of friends, despite them not being members of your church. The symbolism might resonate more profoundly with a larger group of familiar faces rather than a smaller church gathering.

Reflecting on Sacred Spaces

A common sentiment among those disenchanted with traditional churches is reflective: Where is the best cathedral on earth? This question often sparks diverse answers depending on religious affiliations—some may point to Mecca or historical sites like Mount Moriah where temples once stood. However, this discussion invites us to consider the essence of what a church or sacred space truly means.

Rethinking Church: Beyond Buildings and Traditions

Embracing the True Essence of Worship

The notion of the best place to worship has long been debated. Is it within the walls of a grand structure like the Mormon Temple or the Vatican? While these places might inspire reverence, the essence of worship isn't confined to architecture or location. A church, traditionally seen as a community hub, should be about the collective body of believers, not just a specific place.

Worship Beyond Walls

Church isn't like sports, where you have a favorite team to root for; it’s about the body as a whole. This realization is crucial—the church is not a building, but a community everywhere. It is entirely possible to have some of the best church services in unconventional places like the mountains or at the beach. Imagine a church service amidst nature—it’s a whole different experience.

Every time I hike around Grander Peak and take in the breathtaking views of Mount Olympus, Lone Peak, and the Twin Peaks, I’m in awe. Living in Utah, surrounded by such natural beauty, reminds me of the reverence and worship of God through creation. It's as if the heavens declare the glory of God and the skies proclaim his handiwork.

Questioning Tradition and Routine

Why do we package ourselves into buildings for worship? This ties back to the traditional mindset we've been raised with. Coming here, I had a mental schedule: worship, tithing, sermon, closing song. But here, Sean just talks, often saying things that wake you up and make you pay attention anew.

Our goal isn't to confine people to tradition but to liberate them. If someone finds a deeper connection with God while out in nature rather than within church walls, we should encourage that. Explore the mountains, connect with God, and find your way of worship.

Breaking Free from Sunday Constraints

Church doesn't have to be on a Sunday. Imagine a gathering any day of the week, hiking through the mountains, reading scripture, singing, and fostering a communal faith experience. Such an approach might be as fulfilling, if not more so, than traditional Sunday services.

This idea of worshipping in non-traditional spaces can liberate many people, allowing them to connect with faith in a way that feels personal and genuine. Through embracing God’s creation and breaking free from the constraints of buildings, we can redefine what it means to come together in worship.

The Role of Church in Building Community

Thoughts on the Purpose of Church

Church is fundamentally meant to be a community. It's designed to lift each other up, support its members, teach the Bible, and grow faith together. This idea of community should be at the core of the church experience.

Challenges with Large Congregations

One issue that often arises is the size of the congregation. For instance, my current church has around 800 members, while my former church in Florida had 2,000. With such large numbers, it's difficult to foster a sense of community. While they refer to these as "small groups," the experience can feel isolating. When I have to wait in line just to speak to the pastor, and he needs to quickly move on to the next of 100 people waiting, it seems clear that the community aspect is lacking.

Rethinking Church as a Community

Church should be something we look forward to, a place we want to invite others to. It should not feel like just another item in our weekly schedule, but rather an ongoing part of our lives every day of the week.

Personal Reflection on Church Attendance

I don't believe you're a worse Christian if you don't attend church. While the aspects of church that I may not like could be helping someone else grow closer to God, it's important to acknowledge that attending church is not the only way to live a Christian life. The perception that Christianity is solely defined by church attendance is something I disagree with.

Encouragement for Those Questioning

For those wondering if not attending church makes them a lesser Christian, it's important to reflect on personal faith journeys. The points discussed today are meant to offer different perspectives that might resonate with you as you contemplate your own path in Christianity.