I had been in church all my life pretty much, but as an adult and very serious church going 'Christian' for 25 yrs. I had always been aware of many problems in the church, but felt that was just the way it was and we were 'suppose' to go there to worship God. I stuck with it, but the last few yrs there, were especially difficult.
When I came across the Bible Truths website a couple of years ago, it was with joy that I left the church and have never looked back. I did have a few good friends there and we have visited a few times since I left. But now we don't seem to have much in common and our visits are less and less, I haven't actually talked to any of them in months now.
mercy, peace and love
Kat
Here are a few emails on this subject.
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,1188.0.html ----
Funny you should ask "where" one should go to worship, and where I go to worship. Someone once asked Jesus this very question, and so I will give you His answer:
"The woman said unto Him, Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and you [you Jews] that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship....Jesus said...You worship you know not what...but the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers [do you want to be a "TRUE" worshipper?] shall worship the Father IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH: for the Father seeks such to worship Him" (John 4:19-23).
If you go to "a church" composed of people who are NOT "like-minded belivers of the truth," as yourself, how is it that you think that you can "fellowship" with them? "Be ye NOT unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what FELLOWSHIP has righteousness what unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness....WHEREFORE COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM, AND BE YE SEPARATE, says the Lord...." (II Cor. 6:14-18. See also Rev. 18:4).
God be with you,
Ray
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,1584.0.html ---
The sugar-coated candy religion of Christendom appeals to lusts of the carnal mind. When God begins to humble us of our carnal mind the church looses its luster and the candy is no longer sweet. God isn't calling us to a feel-good religion. What feels good is the truth, even if the truth is often painful it still feels good because the destiny of Christ's religion is eternal righteousness and love for all. There certainly is nothing good about a heaven that allows its guests to view their grandmothers and grandfathers, and maybe even their own children, being tortured in a fire of an eternal hell. As Paul stated: "Yes woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel."
God be with you,
Ray
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,1304.0.html ---
No, you will not have success in converting your pastor. Neither would I have success at such an impossible task. People ask me about "where to go to church" almost on a daily basis. They know that their church and all other churches that they know of, do not teach the truth (worse: they teach lies and heresy). And so they think that maybe I know of a church a few blocks from where their home or a few miles from their home that does teach all of the truths of God. Sorry, there is not such thing that I am aware of.
If there were churches scattered through BABYLON THE GREAT WHORE, then there would be no need for God to admonish those whom He is choosing, to "COME OUT OF HER MY PEOPLE" (Rev. 18:4). Are we to just come out of her spiritually, but remain good social friends with them on a weekly basis?
Church is not now and never was, a physical building to congregate in to worship God. Could all the hundreds of thousands of Israelites congregate inside the tiny little tabernacle in the wilderness? Could ALL JUDEA congregate in the tiny Temple in Jeruslem every sabbath? The synagogues became corrupted and the churches today are corrupted. So where do you want to go? If you want fellowship why not join a social club and keep the false religion out of your fellowship.
Jesus taught us that we are to worship God in spirit and in truth, not in this mountain or in Jerusalem, or in a building, or another other "place" that is corrupted. I can't tell people what to do. If "christian fellowship" means more to them than "Godly worship," then I guess they just have to keep looking.
Being a follower of Jesus Christ was never designed to be a "feel good religion" as many christian churches promise if you join their particular tents on living a worldly life for Jesus. I trully never miss, "CHURCH"! I "go to church" every time I open my Bible."
God be with you,
Ray