Quote:
Originally Posted by Terry
Maybe at one time there was something resembling ground of locality. Now? In current time those that call themselves local churches resemble more of ministry churches. The fellowship that exists in these so-called local churches is entirely based upon LSM publications. Without it, there is no fellowship.
While it is possible to have multiple assemblies in a given city meet on the ground of locality saying they receive everyone, it's only lip service.
Say with the church in Seattle, to the extent they receive is limited. If you or I were to suggest, "let's set side ministries and ministry publications and just take the Bible". How far would that go? That would be an indicator what the ground really is.
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I am understanding that the issue with the local churches is mostly around the hypocrisy (whether perceived or real, people have a wide variety of experiences). From my experience the local churches are more receiving than those in denominations. Often the people in the local churches will never try to engage or debate with them in a negative way. But rather the denominational people will try to start a debate or argument over some trivial issue. I recall my last argument with a denominational someone was about whether regular Christians can do evangelism. They said they can't, only the church leaders or specifically trained or called people can preach the gospel.
This is most often the case in denominations, it is only the specially ordained or appointed positions that can do anything meaningful.
That is the reason we have denominations - people are too uncomfortable in catholic so they go to baptist. If too uncomfortable in baptist they go to Lutheran. Denominational people are individuals seeking comfort and a church service that caters to their needs and perceptions of what a church should be. For the same reason they will reject the local churches because it is too this or too that or not enough this or not enough that. They largely see the church as something that caters to their needs, to provide a service. In history this is traditionally what church was about - it was the place you went to if you needed shelter, protection or food. If you wanted a blessing, want to get married, have a funeral, or bless your children or animals. So when they are confronted with a church that encourages everyone to function, when there is no church pastor or priest, and have to actually interact with and engage with people, perhaps even pray or sing in front of other people, of course they will find that confronting.