Hi Beth,
It's interesting, your church sounds a lot like the Baptist church I was in for ten years before finding Ray's site. I know what you means, the people there were down to earth no nonsense type Christians. I liken that church to a Christian type 'Country Club,' as they all come together and socialize and share their brand of religion. Of course they believed that most would burn in hell for eternity (which was mentioned at the end of every service before the alter call), apart from that they were trying to promote the way to live a righteous life. But it was all about the physical, everything evolved around physical things that they thought was spiritual. Now I can see why it's that way, because the church is totally blind to spiritual understanding.
1Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
The thing is when God is ready to drag someone to Him and give them spiritual knowledge the church becomes a hindrance. If we are to move "out of darkness and into His marvelous light," we must separate ourselves from obvious darkness. We don't have to leave an unbelieving mate (1Cor. 7:13), but the church is different. The church is not just a social place, it is there to indoctrinate anyone who attends into what they believe. As you know the Truth is unequivocally opposite from what the church teaches.
Amo 3:3 Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?
James 4:4 Unfaithful creatures! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
The way that the Lord leads us is not the easy path, it is the "narrow gate." We all must give up any and everything and trust that the way He is leading is worth it.
Luke 14:33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
Mark 10:29 So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's,
v. 30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life.
mercy, peace and love
Kat