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There has always been much controversy over whether or not Christians ‘have’ to go to church. Well, this article expressed my personal opinions on answering these questions, and allowing more understanding to the issue.
Now, I have expressed in ‘My Stance On Faith’ the difference between religion and Christ. Now, taking that same concept, and applying it to modern day living, we have a greater issue. I know it as a ‘Civil War’ amongst Christians. Or, in some cases, the ‘Four Wall Blackmail’. (I love that terminology). Christians gathering together in a church not to worship and sanctify the Lord, but to glorify themselves, while gossiping and looking down upon not just those on the outside, but even some on the inside. And it’s not only that, but those who put themselves in a position in which they believe they are better than the rest who attend, and try to use this power to control those who attend there church. So in perspective, the church belongs to man, and not God.
From personal experiences, God has been able to show me the darkness that lurks in the shadows of a church. I have been able to keep my faith strong, by using the talent that I believe Christ has given me through music. I have seen with my own eyes, the power of how music can affect the lives on our generation. Knowing this truth helps me understand that God does not work just through ‘old fashioned’ preaching, but also through music, devotions, prayer, and yes, even by a simple conversation with an old friend.
Does the Bible really ‘tell’ us to attend church? Well, not exactly. You can do the research yourself, but when you read the passages, please keep in mind the meaning behind ‘church’, and how it is written. (We could argue all day about which version or text to read… that itself is a whole new controversy and topic I may discuss later)
Church, in my opinion, is a group of men and women gathering in fellowship with one another. Does this require a building? (Off topic… Think about church now. It costs money due to electricity, water, heat and air, etc. Now, these are not necessities. It would be much less costly to have you and your church meet together once a week out in a pasture for example. If you want to lead service in music, grab an acoustic. During the sermon, you don’t need power points, mics, or even a nice fancy podium.)
To sum up the last part you just read, I am by no means telling anybody they should do as I wrote. It is written in form to be an example. Which should also be taken as a means of understanding the difference between need and want. I encourage everybody to please take this into consideration. Don’t push others into attending a church if they are uncomfortable with the decision. Many people today turn away from God for that very reason. Christian’s have to learn from there mistakes, and understand that the majority of there decision making is wrong. Being a Christian is about being a family. Being one. Unity. Not dividing ourselves and creating opposing forces. It is not Christians vs Atheists that concerns me. It’s Christians vs themselves.
I do hope that I clarified some questions that are usually asked about attending church. Please don’t just agree with me either. Do some research. Understand it for yourself. Learn a little history in the making. Encourage others to live by example. Don’t hate, but love. Jesus would not have looked down upon somebody for there personal choices, so what gives you the right to?
(This insert was written only to inform those of the controversy between Christians and the church. By no means is this article being used to persuade others into going for or against a certain idea.)
Tanner Conticelli
