Quitting the denominations by Osca Nzeh

Quitting The Denominations by Oscar Nzeh.

"I will keep this simple.When I finally quit the denomination (divisions, alternative kingdoms to God's) in which i was also a pastor, initially there were suspicions regarding whether i was going to start "my own church." This is because pastors quit denominations for different reasons and they end up NATURALLY starting their own club. Some quit because they were hurt or suppressed or jealousy etc. Out of this hurt they start their own club and try to prove that they are also anointed.

I quit the denominations because my eyes were opened to CHRIST IN ME, the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the reality of His Body that transcends artificial walls and that cannot be experienced in those walls. I quit because denominations are opposite kingdom to God's and a false husband that loves to fornicate with Christ's bride. I don't have to start anything because the Church of God is already built.

After quitting i received offers from different quarters either to join another denomination who needed my service or offers from well meaning people who wanted to support me get a place and to start "my own." I rejected all these offers because i was no more ignorant about Christ, Church and ministry. Everything has been redefined by God for me.

The Blessing

When i left i began to experience true service to the Body of Christ. The Body of Christ is ALL AROUND us to be served. I had no pressure, no budget to meet, no name to protect, no brand to build, no building or Secretariat to finance, no fund to raise. I was no more pastor but brother. I was a free man. I saw new possibilities and limitlessness of service (ministry) to the Body of Christ. I started doing things I couldn't do before. Ministry was EVERYWHERE. I would be invited over in the houses of brothers and sisters sharing the Word of God, i would go anywhere i was needed, wherever fellowship was possible. I was sleeping over anywhere serving or talking about God. I was still serving the people of God. In fact i would be more busy sometimes more than I was in the denominations but my time was mine, my pace and in freedom. Everything was spontaneous and not official and formal or ritualistic but living. It was in the homes, in their shops, in a cafe, under a tree, on a relaxed stroll etc. There was no need to be different, to look different, to be special, to wear a suit. There was no need to appear strong. I could open my weaknesses, share my battles and victories etc. I became real friends with God's people and my home became a place of friendly interactions and people went as they came without having to own them.

Till today I haven't still started "my own church" and some people are still amazed about it because naturally, pastors leave to only start their own sect because it's like a religious crack Cocaine you cannot help it's addiction, a vicious cycle you cannot escape.

When you quit because God revealed His Son to you, it ends the addiction to "ministry and churchianity" because it's about a relationship with Jesus.

The Body of Christ is not a wall of bricks neither is it a human organisation headed by men. It is all those who have His Life in them all over the Earth with Christ as their Head."

Brother Osca is Nigerian brother ......bro Frank

Hi Dave, it is a good question and I would answer it with a question " what is a local church?"

As you may know I am from a town in Scotland called Greenock. Population is about 40,000 people. It has many of the problems that plague Scottish towns, generational unemployment, drugs, alcohol, violence and so on, and of course, hopelessness in the midst of much poverty. Nationally , about 3% of Scottish people attend church and if you were to look at a trend graph the arrow is plummeting down. In maybe one more generation, there will be literally no one going to church. If ever there was a crisis it is now. Yet, in my hometown there are at least 40 different churches of every stripe. Every imaginable denomination is represented. The church that my parents attend has about 12 people that come on a Sunday, the Free church. My parents are among the youngest and they are 77 years old. Yet, if anyone were to suggest that they throw their lot in with the Pentecostal church, who have about 40, hands would be thrown in the air.

Until Gods people begin to meet together because they are Gods people, the disaster will continue to unfold. They can have their disunity but what they cannot have is God's blessing upon it. At some point there has to be a recognition of the problem before any solution can be found. My mother goes the the Free church to honor my Father, but she has a group of about six that meet many times during the week and fellowship and pray for each other and so on. If I were home in Greenock I would meet with that group or perhaps another that truly represents the Body as opposed to people who represent whatever name is above the door......bro Frank

Hi Dave, I loved your testimony of your younger days. I wish, just once, someone would give a Biblical explanation for denominations instead of just saying " well, fifty years ago....." A thing is either Biblically true or not. I love your last line Dave " but there was life there.' Amen bro......bro Frank

I dont live there any more Dominic, moved to Kansas 27 years ago. Go home every couple of years, see my folks and so, went home for a year once, and of course asked Greg to do a conference there, hence the Greenock conference which led to Time Square Church coming the following year, filling up the whole valley with His glory and many souls coming to Jesus. I believe that was due to the interceding prayers of the saints......bro Frank

I came out of the Jesus movement where our fellowships were spontaneous. We met under the leading and the direction and the empowering of the Holy Spirit. For the first few years of my walk with Christ my church was in those simple fellowship that gathered around the simplicity of Jesus.

In recent years I have had a little taste of what I experienced in the Jesus movement. When I was in Little Rock I met with a brother and his dear wife and their children. We would meet every Wednesday evening to share a meal and do whatever God laid on our hearts. Sometimes I read from the word. Sometimes we shared prayer concerns. Sometimes they watch the video. Sometimes we did all of the above. But our times are always focused on the Simplicity and purity of honoring Jesus and experiencing His life.

Before moving out to Denver a sister and a brother and I met at the house that I was caretaking once or twice a week. We would share a simple meal and then have a time of prayer and sharing the word. Truly a special time.

Probably the best Sermon Index conference I ever attended was when about 20 of us met in Missouri a few years ago. We gathered under the leadership of Jesus. There was no agenda. There were no big-name speakers. We were in fasting mode. We were simply there to see Jesus and to edify and encourage one another. However long for another such meeting.

Just simply sharing my experiences of simple Fellowship.

Bro Blaine

A brother shares his experiences in the Jesus movement on simple fellowship. For those of you who came out of the Jesus movement the message should bring back memories.

https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?lid=24408

Blaine

Dear brother Frank,

Your sharing of this testimony is greatly appreciated!

It was quite edifying, and yet I also agree with whoever said that it should not be taken as prescriptive (which I’m sure you agree with!).

I believe the pure spotless bride of our Lord Jesus Christ is infinitely diverse and she can be found in the most unlikely of places at any God given appointed time.

I can’t remember whose post it was, but the term "wanderer” was used. While I assume most people would hear a negative connotation when that word is used to describe a follower of Christ, I kind of like it, in light of this brother’s testimony.

It reminds me of the famous saying "not all who wander are aimless”.

It’s funny, because In talking with a dear brother recently, I called myself a "floater”, for lack of a better term in the moment. It can be so complex trying to communicate with people who do not know how to relate to sincere followers of Christ that are not members of a local church, or if not, at least "shopping” for one.

Sure, there are those who are simply apathetic and indifferent when they learn you don’t "go to church”, but I’m not talking about them.

I’m talking about sincere saints who truly cannot imagine any legitimate functioning member of the body NOT being a member of a local church in the common church cultural way.

But Frank, I lappreciate how you asked, how do we define a local church?

Truthfully, at this point, I am increasingly comfortable NOT defining it (knowing in its simplest terms, it’s all the saints in a locale), because He knows His living stones, and His living stones know Him.

In the meantime, we are FREE TO LOVE EVERYONE (And of course this goes for anyone who regularly goes to church or not)!!

Now, to love others the way I love myself, that’s a whole ‘nother matter. :-)

P.s. Frank, can you email, call or text me? My two oldest boys have a home school hoops tourney in Kansas in March. Caleb4life@gmail.com, 612-269-9004.