What church do I go to?

[Colleen]

It seems when anyone arrives at Tentmaker one of the first questions posed is what church can I go to. I know it was one of mine and see now it is a common question. Of corse, it was a question before we came bit seems like the best place to ask it.
I found this link on fb today as I've discovered a community on there who live out UR without the focus on it found here. Here is a link to a book I just saw but have not yet read of anyone is interested in checking it out. I will be. The book is entitled "Escaping Christianity; Finding Christ" by Barbara Symons in case the link doesn't work out.

Ok link won't post. Maybe someday I'll figure out how.

[ded2daworld]

...and...it's hard for some of us to wrap our heads around...not "going" to church at all. :Peace2:

[lomarah]

Here is an excerpt from her book:

In fundamentalism, through repetitive programming, I was focused on fear and literalism. Not unlike most fundamentalists, I became more of a Pharisee, loving rules and rituals rather than loving mankind. My ego-centric self needed to be right rather than righteous. These are hard statements for Christians to swallow indeed. I know it was for me. Coming out was a torrid process for me and spanned years of heartache and confusion. I was fighting for the return of my critical judgement as I waded through decades of piled high, dogmatic poo...But as hard as it was for me to understand this, I see now that religious systems are for some, absolutely necessary. Human consciousness evolves both individually and collectively and for some, religious structures are beneficial while their individual consciousness is in need of rules, regulations and boundaries. Fledgling consciousness is like children that are in need of parental guidance (Galatians 4). All of our individual experiences benefit the whole of consciousness in some way. For some there is a need to experience restriction until Christ is formed within the whole of mankind - like a pearl within an oyster, closed tightly until the time of opening. Before I understood this valuable truth, I tried to convince others to leave the system as I did. I was like a cage fighter only my opponent was the cage itself. I felt battered and beaten by trying to dismantle the religious system from the inside out as I tried so hard to get those still within it to come out. I now understand that people will remain within restraint as long as they need to, that although a pearl is formed in one, the process is ongoing in another. My problem is that I was still programmed to proselytize.

Taken from:

http://barbarasymons.com/blog/2013/6/12/excerpt-from-escaping-christianity-finding-christ.html

Looks like a really good read Colleen!

[Colleen]

Thanks Lo for posting that  Excerpt. I read it too just didnt know how to copy from FB. Yes it does look like a really good read. Also thanks for posting the link.

[Wayfaring Stranger]

Here is an excerpt from her book:

In fundamentalism, through repetitive programming, I was focused on fear and literalism. Not unlike most fundamentalists, I became more of a Pharisee, loving rules and rituals rather than loving mankind. My ego-centric self needed to be right rather than righteous. These are hard statements for Christians to swallow indeed. I know it was for me. Coming out was a torrid process for me and spanned years of heartache and confusion. I was fighting for the return of my critical judgement as I waded through decades of piled high, dogmatic poo...But as hard as it was for me to understand this, I see now that religious systems are for some, absolutely necessary. Human consciousness evolves both individually and collectively and for some, religious structures are beneficial while their individual consciousness is in need of rules, regulations and boundaries. Fledgling consciousness is like children that are in need of parental guidance (Galatians 4). All of our individual experiences benefit the whole of consciousness in some way. For some there is a need to experience restriction until Christ is formed within the whole of mankind - like a pearl within an oyster, closed tightly until the time of opening. Before I understood this valuable truth, I tried to convince others to leave the system as I did. I was like a cage fighter only my opponent was the cage itself. I felt battered and beaten by trying to dismantle the religious system from the inside out as I tried so hard to get those still within it to come out. I now understand that people will remain within restraint as long as they need to, that although a pearl is formed in one, the process is ongoing in another. My problem is that I was still programmed to proselytize.

Taken from:

http://barbarasymons.com/blog/2013/6/12/excerpt-from-escaping-christianity-finding-christ.html

Looks like a really good read Colleen!

The bold statements remind me of this:

8 Charity never faileth. But whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then shall I know, even as also I am known.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

-1 Cor. 13:8-13

When I was (spiritually) a child I needed childish things (a physical, carnal church full of rules, regulations, and materialistic rituals like communion, etc.) but now that I am (more of) a man (spiritually) I have put away childish (carnal, physical) things.

[Colleen]

Well put Way... I also thought of the scripture that talks about the law being a child trainer. Romans I think.

[Tom]

The word "church" is not in scripture. We are the "ecclesia," those called out of the world to be in "the body of Christ." Our spiritual union does not require congregating in any certain place at any certain time. We are continuously in communion with each other and God through Christ. We can fellowship with each other right here on the Tentmaker Forum. You don't have to "go to church." You don't have to go anywhere because you're already where you need to be which is in the body of Christ. The structure of the church system is no more necessary than the structure of the school system once you've left it. You're not quitting God when you walk away from the church. You'll actually come into a closer relationship with God simply by getting into the word of God. You don't need ritual. You just need the spirit of God that will come into you through the word of God.

"God is spirit, and those who are worshiping Him must be worshiping in spirit and truth." (John 4:24)

[JulieTang84]

The word "church" is not in scripture. We are the "ecclesia," those called out of the world to be in "the body of Christ." Our spiritual union does not require congregating in any certain place at any certain time. We are continuously in communion with each other and God through Christ. We can fellowship with each other right here on the Tentmaker Forum. You don't have to "go to church." You don't have to go anywhere because you're already where you need to be which is in the body of Christ. The structure of the church system is no more necessary than the structure of the school system once you've left it. You're not quitting God when you walk away from the church. You'll actually come into a closer relationship with God simply by getting into the word of God. You don't need ritual. You just need the spirit of God that will come into you through the word of God.

"God is spirit, and those who are worshiping Him must be worshiping in spirit and truth." (John 4:24)

And the truth will set us free. Father certainly has accomplished that!   :HeartThrob:

Thanks Tom