To me a church should be like a hospital for the soul. If you lose your connection with God, you should be able to go to church to get plugged into the vine again, plain and simple, then be on your merry way again.
Christians to me are people who live life, wholesome, generous, active, holy lives. When confronted with difficulties, meet them head on with a grateful heart and with that still, quiet core of knowing that “All will be well”. Christians shouldn’t even have to wear a cross or proclaim Jesus, people will be drawn to him or her and start to ask questions and want to go that way, be free to be their innocent little selves. Haven’t you ever seen happy, glowing, people who don’t waste their time gossiping or assuming. But do what they love?
Roy Masters and Jesse Peterson are that way for me. There are others, but I know these two. They have helped me and maybe millions of others. Forget about how many angels dance on the head of a pin, or which is the correct translation of the bible. Use your own intuition, see for yourself because you are grafted to the vine and get your intuition directly, just enough when you need it. Jesus said call no man father. Go to the father yourself and if you have lost your connection find a church that will lead you back to it and let you free.
One of the reasons that a church I pick won’t have “fathers” or anyone who gives themselves a title that presumes importance. The people running the church are no more holier than the ones in the pews, the ones running the church are no less sinners than the people in the pews.
The services can take place anywhere, it doesn’t even have to be indoors. Any 2 or 3 can hold service in a living room or backyard on Wednesday night and it is no less “church” than Sunday morning in the building with others.
So I agree with you mostly.
I love you man. Jesus died for your sins—past present and future. Give me a list of the things you think you must do to be saved, First, read John 3:16 — then we’ll talk