Sep
7th
Finding a Church Family
By Carly
“...let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25
“...exhort (encourage) one another daily...lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 13:3
Our word “church” is from the Greek ekklesia, “ek” meaning “out of” and “klesis” meaning “a calling.” It is never referred to in the Greek New Testament as a building where people meet, or a denomination; it is simply an assembly, a fellowship of the like-minded, exhorting and encouraging one another out of love. It is Biblical and correct for us to gather together to this end.
In the New Testament, the Early Church would gather and “break bread” together on a daily basis in their homes, occasionally teaching in synagogues. Soon after, the Church persecuted by the Romans met in secret, gathering in homes, tombs, or where ever they could. Many places in the world still meet like this. After the tolerance of Christianity by Constantine (313 AD), and later the establishment of it by Theodosius I as the state religion of Rome (380 AD), the idea of a temple, a “church building,” began to take shape. Throughout the Middle Ages, large basilicas and cathedrals were built, along with monasteries and smaller parish churches. So, this is the difference between a “Church,” the body of Christ or group of believers, and “church,” a building where the Church assembles.
While these two words do not mean the same thing, the truth is that the easiest way to find a Church, in most cases, is through a church. But, this is not usually as straightforward as it may seem. Denominations, politics, personalities – all of these things make finding a church difficult, not to mention personal preference in style and delivery. So what can you do to facilitate this process? Here are a few steps to guide you, which may be common sense but are better than starting from nothing.
First, actually visit churches. Many people who lament their lack of a church family do so whilst visiting them rarely or never.
Second, start with your denomination. It’s easier if you're Baptist or Lutheran, harder if you're Non-denominational; but it’s still a place to start. If you've visited all the churches that fit into your specific denomination and still haven't found a church family, expand your search to those denominations which have similar beliefs and values as your own. For instance, if you believe in pre-Tribulation rapture, don't visit a church which believes in post-Tribulation rapture. If you are a Dispensationalist, find a church that teaches Dispensationalism. Do a little research; a quick Google search will give you a denominational comparison.
If you just can't find a church family, don't assume that means you're not supposed to have Christian fellowship. There is actually more New Testament precedent for gathering in one's home or in a public place to break bread, pray, worship, and discuss God's Word. “...Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.” (1 Corinthians 14:26). In what we call the “church” today, there is not room for everyone to bring something. In a small group, there is!
Lastly, keep an open mind. Prayerfully consider your next step. Sometimes God wants us where we can be the most useful, not the most comfortable. And sometimes what we are comfortable with or what we are used to is not the best thing. Our lives are not our own; they belong to God, and we have given ourselves to Him by choice and by love. By doing so, we have agreed to His plan for us, superseding our plans for ourselves. Proverbs 16:9 says “A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.” Let the Lord direct your steps to where you are supposed to be. Which person in the Bible lived his or her life the way it was planned? Did David finish out his days a shepherd, or Daniel a simple slave in Babylon, or Peter a fisher of fish? No! What God called them to was extraordinary and impossible in their own strength. What God calls us to is equally extraordinary and equally impossible without Him.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
“...exhort (encourage) one another daily...lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 13:3
Our word “church” is from the Greek ekklesia, “ek” meaning “out of” and “klesis” meaning “a calling.” It is never referred to in the Greek New Testament as a building where people meet, or a denomination; it is simply an assembly, a fellowship of the like-minded, exhorting and encouraging one another out of love. It is Biblical and correct for us to gather together to this end.
In the New Testament, the Early Church would gather and “break bread” together on a daily basis in their homes, occasionally teaching in synagogues. Soon after, the Church persecuted by the Romans met in secret, gathering in homes, tombs, or where ever they could. Many places in the world still meet like this. After the tolerance of Christianity by Constantine (313 AD), and later the establishment of it by Theodosius I as the state religion of Rome (380 AD), the idea of a temple, a “church building,” began to take shape. Throughout the Middle Ages, large basilicas and cathedrals were built, along with monasteries and smaller parish churches. So, this is the difference between a “Church,” the body of Christ or group of believers, and “church,” a building where the Church assembles.
While these two words do not mean the same thing, the truth is that the easiest way to find a Church, in most cases, is through a church. But, this is not usually as straightforward as it may seem. Denominations, politics, personalities – all of these things make finding a church difficult, not to mention personal preference in style and delivery. So what can you do to facilitate this process? Here are a few steps to guide you, which may be common sense but are better than starting from nothing.
First, actually visit churches. Many people who lament their lack of a church family do so whilst visiting them rarely or never.
Second, start with your denomination. It’s easier if you're Baptist or Lutheran, harder if you're Non-denominational; but it’s still a place to start. If you've visited all the churches that fit into your specific denomination and still haven't found a church family, expand your search to those denominations which have similar beliefs and values as your own. For instance, if you believe in pre-Tribulation rapture, don't visit a church which believes in post-Tribulation rapture. If you are a Dispensationalist, find a church that teaches Dispensationalism. Do a little research; a quick Google search will give you a denominational comparison.
If you just can't find a church family, don't assume that means you're not supposed to have Christian fellowship. There is actually more New Testament precedent for gathering in one's home or in a public place to break bread, pray, worship, and discuss God's Word. “...Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.” (1 Corinthians 14:26). In what we call the “church” today, there is not room for everyone to bring something. In a small group, there is!
Lastly, keep an open mind. Prayerfully consider your next step. Sometimes God wants us where we can be the most useful, not the most comfortable. And sometimes what we are comfortable with or what we are used to is not the best thing. Our lives are not our own; they belong to God, and we have given ourselves to Him by choice and by love. By doing so, we have agreed to His plan for us, superseding our plans for ourselves. Proverbs 16:9 says “A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.” Let the Lord direct your steps to where you are supposed to be. Which person in the Bible lived his or her life the way it was planned? Did David finish out his days a shepherd, or Daniel a simple slave in Babylon, or Peter a fisher of fish? No! What God called them to was extraordinary and impossible in their own strength. What God calls us to is equally extraordinary and equally impossible without Him.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
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