A question I've been asked numerous times in my life is: "Which church do you go to?"
My weird, complicated brain has a fundamental problem with this question.
As a child, Christianity taught me that we don't "go to a" church, but instead that we're "part of a" church. So how have I tackled this question?
When I was younger, and foolish(er), I used to "teach" the questioner that we can't go to a church, but I am a part of so-and-so church. I grew up a bit, stopped correcting the questioner, and would just say that I am a part of so-and-so church.
Fast-forward to today and I haven't really attended a Sunday morning service since August 2022. And I formally 'left' the last local church that I was part of, Ashraya, in March 2023 with an email to the leaders.
So what is my church situation now? Let me try to address the questions I've fielded these past two years...
Which church do you go to?
I don't attend Sunday morning services.
So you're not part of any church?
I am a part of the global church.
What about spiritual growth and nourishment?
I have my personal quiet times with the Lord.
What about community?
I have my spaces for community - with friends that provide me with these spaces.
But but... you should learn together and grow in the Lord with His people!
I think and feel that 'growth in the Lord' with his people is happening. Feel free to deep dive into this with me overcoffee milkshakes.
But you are alone!
No, I am most definitely not alone.
You must be under some authority!
Yes, I have placed myself under the authority and guidance of a few people.
But this is wrong!
I don't see why not.
Are you going to stay this way for the rest of your life?
I don't know. All I know is that today this is exactly where I'm supposed to be. I'm safe with Jesus, and He keeps me happy and going strong - with the large community he has raised around me to support me. Similar to the time I was rethinking the whole concept of Sunday Services in 2013/2014 when I was intentionally outside of organised church for about eight months, until a message by Andreas convicted me enough to finish that 'sabbatical'.
See, I can only say this:
I have been taught all my life to derive my values and way of life from the Bible. And I don't see the Bible irrefutably telling us a 100x - "Go to Sunday services, go to Sunday services." or anything even close to that. I am definitely a part of the church that will be Christ's bride whenever He comes back, and this particular 'coal' is still burning as fiercely as it has, for the past ~25 years.
Final question: Why are you putting this post out?
Well, it's a lot easier to send people this link when they ask for an explanation, rather than to try and explain all this to them in the 30 seconds they afford me to answer the "Which church do you go to?" question.
Love, hope and peace - always.
Dan.
My weird, complicated brain has a fundamental problem with this question.
As a child, Christianity taught me that we don't "go to a" church, but instead that we're "part of a" church. So how have I tackled this question?
When I was younger, and foolish(er), I used to "teach" the questioner that we can't go to a church, but I am a part of so-and-so church. I grew up a bit, stopped correcting the questioner, and would just say that I am a part of so-and-so church.
Fast-forward to today and I haven't really attended a Sunday morning service since August 2022. And I formally 'left' the last local church that I was part of, Ashraya, in March 2023 with an email to the leaders.
So what is my church situation now? Let me try to address the questions I've fielded these past two years...
Which church do you go to?
I don't attend Sunday morning services.
So you're not part of any church?
I am a part of the global church.
What about spiritual growth and nourishment?
I have my personal quiet times with the Lord.
What about community?
I have my spaces for community - with friends that provide me with these spaces.
But but... you should learn together and grow in the Lord with His people!
I think and feel that 'growth in the Lord' with his people is happening. Feel free to deep dive into this with me over
But you are alone!
No, I am most definitely not alone.
You must be under some authority!
Yes, I have placed myself under the authority and guidance of a few people.
But this is wrong!
I don't see why not.
Are you going to stay this way for the rest of your life?
I don't know. All I know is that today this is exactly where I'm supposed to be. I'm safe with Jesus, and He keeps me happy and going strong - with the large community he has raised around me to support me. Similar to the time I was rethinking the whole concept of Sunday Services in 2013/2014 when I was intentionally outside of organised church for about eight months, until a message by Andreas convicted me enough to finish that 'sabbatical'.
See, I can only say this:
I have been taught all my life to derive my values and way of life from the Bible. And I don't see the Bible irrefutably telling us a 100x - "Go to Sunday services, go to Sunday services." or anything even close to that. I am definitely a part of the church that will be Christ's bride whenever He comes back, and this particular 'coal' is still burning as fiercely as it has, for the past ~25 years.
Final question: Why are you putting this post out?
Well, it's a lot easier to send people this link when they ask for an explanation, rather than to try and explain all this to them in the 30 seconds they afford me to answer the "Which church do you go to?" question.
Love, hope and peace - always.
Dan.