From today's in-box:
A Brother in New Jersey writes: Where can we find fellowship?
Steve,
My wife and I have attended a local Calvary Chapel in NJ for several years, we like the people and the church but over the years the focus has been more and more on the pre-trib rapture and importance of modern day Israel. My God-given discernment has always recognized that this is a misunderstanding of scripture but your videos on Dispensationalism finally gave me a clear understanding as to why this is the lens of their theology.
Despite this, we kept going, perhaps understanding that God’s intent is for the body of Christ to be unified and for us not to try to find our perfect church or denomination (but work with what we have in front of us). But now it’s just getting out of hand. Every Sunday is spent with at least 10 minutes about Israel (unconditional support and forever land promises). Of course, they have the Israel flag up in the sanctuary too.
They don’t want to hear opposing points of view, just stuck in their own echo chamber, so I can’t support this anymore. I think it’s a blasphemy and an idol to hold the modern state of Israel in such high esteem especially after Christ pronounced such a complete judgement (to the contrary). I want to follow Jesus and not Zionism.
So, I don’t think we’ll be going back. But every local church I look into has baggage that I don’t want to get involved with (Calvinism, dispensationalism, woke ideologies, infant baptisms, whatever). After watching some of their sermons, I frankly can’t see myself fitting in (or wanting to fit). So what do we do? Remain un-churched & isolated or go back to Calvary Chapel? I don’t think I can go back, and I don’t think we were meant to be on our own. I read, seek, pray, worship everyday but also don’t want to deprive my wife of corporate worship Any thoughts (or perhaps you answered previously and can share a link)?
Thanks
J””
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Hi J””,
It grieves me every time I hear again of someone who is searching in vain for a good church in their area. I know the problem well. We have opted for a house church, as have many others. Even these, unfortunately, can sometimes perpetuate the fascination with some doctrinal side-track or another. The desire simply to love and follow Jesus, and to not drift into side-paths which only serve to distract from Him, is at a low ebb in the American churches at the moment.
There are denominations that are not Calvinistic, and which are less likely to be dispensationalist, though they, too, would have to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Such denominations include Free Methodists, Church of God (Anderson, Indiana), Christian and Missionary Alliance, Nazarene, Salvation Army, Church of Christ (often very legalistic, especially about baptism). Many of these churches are cessationist (meaning the gifts of the Spirit have ceased and are not for the church today), but this may not make that big a difference. After all, Calvary Chapel believes the gifts are for today, but you would never notice in their services.
My policy is to seek out real fellowship with true believers who are committed to Jesus, regardless of their church affiliation, whether I agree with all their doctrines or not (usually, not). On the other hand, even in churches where true brethren can be found, other aspects may make regular attendance fairly unbearable””e.g., unedifying loud music, over emphasis on some strange doctrine, too much pop-psychology in the messages, failure to practice biblical church discipline, etc.
We are living in difficult times, when it comes to finding great Christian fellowship””though not so difficult as, for example, Christians in Turkey or Saudi Arabia. Sometimes we, like they, may have to settle for fellowship with three or four like-minded people or couples until the institutional churches become convicted about their defection from the simplicity of the Gospel. You are not alone. I hear from many like yourselves. Unfortunately, they are scattered around the country, and I do not know of any of them specifically in your area. You are more than welcome to post on our Facebook page ("Steve Gregg-The Narrow Path") and ask if there are others in your area. Apart from this, you may wish to endure a very unsatisfactory church and to faithfully serve there””until they kick you out!
I am completely sympathetic with your plight. God will guide you to green pastures, however. Since there seems to be a spiritual drought in the churches, the need to be a self-feeder is greater than ever. God bless you.
Steve Gregg