What is your reason for going to church?

[WhiteWings]

Well said.  Of course when you bring the "UR heresy" into the church building it will be met from a frown from the pastor.  It wouldn't surprise me if you made you feel very unwelcome in their service.

True but also very odd. Jesus didn't ran away from 'wrong' people. No He searched for them and teach them. Saved people need no sermons.
What use would it be to give a sermon to HS.... :winkgrin:

[Molly]

Saved people need no sermons.
What use would it be to give a sermon to HS....

Sure they do.  It's deep calling to deep.


Psalm 42:7

7Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.



Luke 5

4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."

[coldwar]

"Church" for me is a Prison Chapel. I'm not an inmate, but my wife and I volunteer with leading music, some songs of our own, and most importantly, giving the men who've been locked up for years, a few of whom will likely never get out, somebody from outside to talk to. I also occasionally attend an Anglican Eucharist service, as I've come to believe that celebration of the Eucharist is like a prayer that goes up for the salvation of all mankind (somewhat like the Roman Catholic view).

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: I always tell people who ask me, church is wherever I am. Great UR conversation starter  :winkgrin:

[LS]

I went through a period in my life of intense questioning about "going to church" - whether I should be going at all, and if so, where?  During that time my marriage was in a rough stage, so I continued to go partly because it was important to me for my children (as Shawn stated); but also because it was something I could share with my husband and I knew it was important to him.

I am so, so glad I continued to go at that time. I learned great Truth in the passage, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." (Romans 10:17)

Please don't underestimate the power and the importance of "hearing" scripture read, above and beyond reading it on your own. How many times in the OT do we see Israel gathering and the word of God read "in the hearing of all the people" or "in the hearing of the assembly?" Isn't every one of those times a blessing to Israel?

Please consider also:
    * Keeping a day holy is one of the 10 commandments, and Lev 23:3 tells us what that means - it is a sacred assembly, public meeting, convocation, reading.  It is not simply a private prayer with a few people.
    * Jesus observed it "as was his custom" multiple times in the NT
    * Hebrews 10:25 reiterates that NT Christians are to observe it as well.

I'm not saying today's churches are like the gatherings in OT times; I'm not saying we "sin" if we don't "go to church." I'm just saying there is a reason to go that is good for us, and meant to build us up individually and corporately as His body. 

I have grown to treasure my time at mass, hearing scripture read; gathering physically with other believers to worship and to pray; and sharing in holy communion, the bread & wine, body & blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.  It humbles me and frequently literally brings me to tears.

:HeartThrob:

[jabcat]

My understanding;  

Re: "keeping a day holy is one of the Ten Commandments" - we are not under the Law.  The Law was written to the nation of Israel.  Paul, speaking to the post-cross ecclesia, said one esteems a day above another, another esteems all days the same.  I fall into the latter group.

The body and blood is symbolic, a remembrance.

"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."  Matthew 18:20
 

:icon_flower:

[jabcat]

P.S.  I certainly do believe that it's a good thing to get together with other believers and worship and share.    :bigGrin:

[LS]

we are not under the Law.  

I know, and I meant it when I said I don't believe we "sin" if we don't "go to church."

But I do feel sorrow for people who don't go to church regularly, because I do think you miss out on many wonderful blessings  :mblush: 

:grouppray:

[jabcat]

  Fellowship is good and necessary.  It can just be hard to find consistently within orthodoxy...I believe it takes some effort to find things on which there are common ground, while finding some way to deal with the, uh, "other issues".   :bigGrin:

Example.  Last night I fellowshipped with my wife and aunt (orthodox).  We found the common ground of believing on Jesus and helping others.  I planted a couple of seeds for thought, and we had a good discussion.

[WhiteWings]

LS,
Isn't the Tentmaker forum a church? (I think it is)
"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."  Matthew 18:20

[LS]

LS,
Isn't the Tentmaker forum a church? (I think it is)
"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."  Matthew 18:20

Yes, in its own way it is.

But it is more a discussion, iron-sharpening-iron, and pray-for-each other venue. I don't hear the Word being read, I don't see it as Lev. 23:3 describes. And that's ok - it has its own blessings.

But the question for this thread is why you go to church, and my reasons for attending mass are different from the reasons I participate on messageboards, and the blessings I receive from each are different as well. 

[LS]

Just to clarify a little ...

Lev 23:3  Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.

Convocation in Lev. 23:3:

H4744
מקרא
miqrâ'
mik-raw'
From H7121; something called out, that is, a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal: - assembly, calling, convocation, reading.

Where 2 or 3 are gathered is absolutely true - He is in our midst. But I don't think that is quite the same thing as an assembly. Both are good, but they are different. imho.

[WhiteWings]

I see Lev. 23:3 and Mat. 18:20 as two seperate things. (for me)
Lev. doesn't exclude gathering on other days.

I don't hear the Word being read

But you see it written. That's similar enough I think.... I even think it is the same because otherwise deaf people aren't able to "go to church".

Mat 18:20 and the Lev. 23:3 "holy convocation" are imo the same. And how it's done is of no importance. The only important thing is to learn from that sermon, audio tape, chat, video chat, forum discussion, etc.
Personally a conversation makes me learn much faster than a one way sermon.
:2c:

[WhiteWings]

Convocation in Lev. 23:3:

H4744
מקרא
miqrâ'
mik-raw'
From H7121; something called out, that is, a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal: - assembly, calling, convocation, reading.

Where 2 or 3 are gathered is absolutely true - He is in our midst. But I don't think that is quite the same thing as an assembly. Both are good, but they are different. imho.

You replied just before I posted....
For me the defenition you quoted is exactly what we have here at Tentmaker.
I don't know what rehearsal is in this defenition. If it's singing then we don't have that on TM. If it is study then we have it more than in church-the-building.

[LS]

All I know is that at that time in my life, if I had followed my own desires and stopped going to church, I would also have left my marriage.  There is not a doubt in my mind that I was at a crossroads and I thank God for giving me His strength to choose what He was asking of me even when I wanted to run the other way.

I'm sorry if that doesn't make sense to anybody else and I really can't explain it more, but I know that for me "going to church" is a unique way He feeds me. 

[shawn]

All I know is that at that time in my life, if I had followed my own desires and stopped going to church, I would also have left my marriage.  There is not a doubt in my mind that I was at a crossroads and I thank God for giving me His strength to choose what He was asking of me even when I wanted to run the other way.

I'm sorry if that doesn't make sense to anybody else and I really can't explain it more, but I know that for me "going to church" is a unique way He feeds me.  

And I think that is the way it needs to be approached.  Each person needs to be confident in their own minds about their views on church attendance.  I do not believe it's required.  I do believe it's optional.  But, I also believe that many can and do get spiritual revelation in church.  I believe many benefit from attendance.

[Lefein]

Well said.  Of course when you bring the "UR heresy" into the church building it will be met from a frown from the pastor.  It wouldn't surprise me if you made you feel very unwelcome in their service.

Actually, it went well.  He did not exactly...change, and neither did I.  Basically it was a conversation that was more a philosophical discussion at day's end.  But I was not frowned upon, and was actually complimented for being a good student of the Bible, I am liked, as far as I know. :)

At first I felt unwelcome, and I am still detached from the church at large, and it is not exactly a "church family" it is almost like "going to work" and having co-workers.  But I am not condemned as far as I can tell, and gossip about me doesn't seem to be running about.

But that has only increased the wisdom God showed me about service.  If I show myself approved not only in study, but application: which involves being a servant, just as Christ was, then Christ-like I shall become, and Christ/Christ-likeness will not be denied for long. ;)

I believe I have God's favour where I am going :)  It is always important to ask for God's favour in any mission field.  Whether it be in the papal pew, or the pagan village.

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: That's very true.....everyone should ask His will in going or not going, and for favor when sent.....I do. Blessings...

[santikos]

i know that, for me, i cannot go to a building and "recieve" word from the person the people call pastor. it was never meant to be one man speaking and all other listening week after week. I would think that  a pastor/priest would know better, maybe they just dont want to offend the hand that feeds them.

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: There's a thread here somewhere about 'what is church'......

[Beloved Servant]

Saved people need no sermons.
What use would it be to give a sermon to HS....

Sure they do.  It's deep calling to deep.


Psalm 42:7

7Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.



Luke 5

4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."

Good one, Molly, I like that.
We must go to where He is feeding His sheep.

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: I just love that image.....put out into DEEP WATER.....let down your nets (faith requires works) for a catch (expectation). Faith anticipates an outcome and reacts accordingly.

I can see this at work on so many levels, even in the study of the Word, going deeper expecting something wonderful of Him to appear.  :thumbsup: Blessings....

[Beloved Servant]

I can see this at work on so many levels, even in the study of the Word, going deeper expecting something wonderful of Him to appear.  :thumbsup: Blessings....

Parousia!
Amen, Card.
And where will the Word appear?
On our lips!

[micah7:9]

Dont know where you have been, I hope it was a delightfull and great time of vacation and time off. I am glad to have you back, I, that means me, missed you and your input.

Im glad you are back safe and happy. The Lord is Good. Dave

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: Amen 2 that..... :thumbsup: