[mountn man]

I have no problem with faith.
I have a problem with religion.

I agree...to a point.

I believe we a called to be part of A church. A local congregation or a group of congregations. And that we are to submit ourselves to their leadership. But that leadership is conditional and not universal.

I also believe in the universal church. The universal church as the world wide family of believers in Christ, not a hierarchy that claims fealty to itself.

[PittsburghAfterDark]

I just define religion, loosely, as man putting himself between you and God.

I do agree with e concept of a universal church.

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

I see no mention of a denomination or church in that.

[YogicCowboy]

I have always held thus... yet I find myself without a congregation.

All the ones I know either embrace the functional heresies of Feminism and/or Homoeroticism and/or Liberation Theology, or are so fundamentally at odds with what I believe, that I cannot participate honestly and openly.

I have been in ministry in two denominations in the past. Now I am alone.

[Elsie]

I believe we a called to be part of A church.

1 Peter 2:5
New American Standard Bible

you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.