Mature believers in Christ, who choose to stop attending organized church services are as my grandma would say, “few and far between .” When you are no longer connected to the weekly rituals of sitting in a building, it can cause feelings of isolation.
The two questions you will hear most often, on Sundays from other believers are: “Where did you worship today,”? And, “What church do you belong to”? And the word of the Creator Himself, holds both the answers.
When the woman at the well, (John chapter 4) told Jesus, that Jews and Samaritans argued over where to worship, she was inquiring about a physical location. She said the Samaritans believed the mountain on which she was standing was the place for worship, and the Jews believed you had to worship in Jerusalem.
Likewise people who ask that question today desire to know where your physical location of worship is. They want to know what building you enter each Sunday, because mainstream Christianity teaches that you must go to a church building.
The Savior’s reply to the woman at the well however, was not identifying a physical location for worship. His answer was of a spiritual nature. In verse 24 He said to her : ” The time is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth. The Father seeketh such to worship Him”.
How you may ask, does one worship in Spirit and in truth? Again the answer is written in His word. And yet again it is recorded in the writing of John who has been called the revelator. In John 16:13 Jesus says; Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Jesus is saying that His Holy Spirit will confirm Him, not a man made doctrine, or a denomination, fellowship or a preacher. The Holy Spirit will lead to truth of what is coming from The Father in heaven. If you are filled with His Spirit, you will know by His Spirit that you are hearing His truth, or a man made doctrine.
When someone tells you that you are a spiritual bastard because you are not a member on the roll in a church building, you will not feel guilty, and can tell them that your name, because of your faith in Him, is written where it counts, in the Lambs book of Life,(Revelation 20:12).
The next time someone asks what church assembly you belong to tell them you are of the household of faith,(Galatians 6:10) which refers to the entire body of believers in Christ. We are one body in His Spirit. Denominations are completely man made.
Now you know, based not on my opinion, but scripture itself, that you are armed with ammunition for those who would try to guilt you back into organized religious services. You know that your faith in Him, has your name written in the Lambs book of life. You can worship in Spirit and truth by hearing His Spirit rather than man made doctrine from a pulpit.
You can read the word, and listen to worship music, any time you choose. You can fellowship and pray with family and friends right in your home, as did the early believers.I suggest reading the entire book of the Acts of the Apostles many time so you will understand, and become empowered in your choice.
Most importantly, you know that being Methodist, Baptist, or Lutheran is not important. You are a member of the Household of Faith .This will not solve your every issue after leaving organized religion, but it is a good start. This should be especially helpful to seniors may feel bad because their health e no longer allows them to be able to attend church services.
