[who knows what evil?]

In most "mainline churches" Christ is not preached, repentence not mentioned, holiness not spoken of, the Bible is never referenced, and Christ's return is considered a scary fairy tale believed only by those icky fundamentalists who believe what the Bible says.

Precisely WHY I haven't been inside a church for years; and I am in the so-called 'Bible Belt'. I learn more on my own or from a small group of believers than I EVER did from a sermon in a church, which are primarily social clubs.

[Skooz]

Well, I wouldn't go that far. I was speaking strictly about the liberal churches who make up the "mainline," WCC landscape.

I attend a marvelous Assembly of God church and previously attended a marvelous Southern Baptist church.

Nothing "mainline" about the powerful messages preached in either of those churches. They both preach the Word of God without compromise or giving one rip about what the world thinks about it.

[RobRoy]

>>I learn more on my own or from a small group of believers than I EVER did from a sermon in a church, which are primarily social clubs.<<

Did you notice that aspect of post #32? I was reading and noticed that every single advantage mentioned of her ex-church was purely social and had nothing to do with Christianity or the word of God.

I think big churches can offer the same intimacy of small churches, even though I really prefer the intimacy of my small church. But they have to do it through "small group" activities. However, I would rather see a community peppered with 100 churches with 200 members each than 1 church with 20,000 members. Especially when the churches can get together to "combine" events.

[AppyPappy]

Precisely WHY I haven't been inside a church for years

Don't take this personally but a person who cannot find a church in the Bible Belt is probably unable to see the real problem.