Church-hopping

[Wileyzmuse]

Do you feel it is a character defect to visit different churches at different times?

Is it ok to have a church that you are involved with regularly but then visit other churches now and then just for a change. I almost feel like I'm cheating on my church by doing this LOL. Is that silly or what?

Some churches have a more powerful worship time, for example, it is ok to come down and kneel at the altar if you feel led, or raise your hands, or whatever. When I really need to get before God and be surrounded by His presence, I go to this church.

Just curious how you all feel about this.

YSIC,
Patricia

[andy]

Hi Patricia,

The following is just my opinion:

We, as followers of Jesus are one body. Jesus is the head and we are the body.

We also, all true followers of Jesus, are one family. If a church is teaching and living God's word in spirit and in truth, what could be wrong in visiting another branch, if you will, of our family.

Dont we all visit parents, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, cousins, etc.

The central point is, to me at least, is God's word being not only taught but lived in the everyday life of the believers of a local church body.

:wave

[janh7]

I see nothing wrong with visiting many churches. I've often wondered how people stay with one church for ever. You know, the Israelites got up and followed the pillar of fire by night or the cloud by day, moving wherever the Lord led them. I have found for me and my family it has been the same way. The Lord has had us in certain fellowships for specific times and reasons...then he has moved us along.

[joy4Him2day]

I wonder how our lack of commitment and discipline enter into the arena......while what you are saying sounds logical and unmalicious......I think commitment to a body might have something to it.......visiting another church...no problem, but just going from church to church......
we live in such an age of uncommitment/lack of discipline......
JMHO

[ChopinFan]

Originally posted by joy4Him2day
I wonder how our lack of commitment and discipline enter into the arena......while what you are saying sounds logical and unmalicious......I think commitment to a body might have something to it.......visiting another church...no problem, but just going from church to church......
we live in such an age of uncommitment/lack of discipline......
JMHO

Yeah, I share your concerns. I'm not saying that a person has to stay at a particular church forever (especially if they drift away from biblical truth), but I worry so much about what some pastors refer to as Christian "tumbleweeds."

I think in Ephesians it warns against being tossed to and fro with various doctrines. I'm not talking about the occasional visit to other churches, but I'm more referring to a lack of commitment and unwillingness to put down any roots.

I would be very leery of allowing anyone to serve in any type of ministry at our church if they were unwilling to make some type of commitment to accountability. The scripture says to "know them that labor among you", and I just don't see how that's possible if we're always running around.

[janh7]

IMHO, our committment and discipline should be unto the Lord and leading of the HS. The "church" is huge and worldwide.

[KrispyKritter]

IMHO... we all need a central fellowship where we find accountability and build relationships. You should feel no guilt about visiting other fellowships, so long as you have a core fellowship.

Phrases like "Christian Tumbleweeds" or "Church Hoppers" are phrases created by insecure pastors who want to manipulate people into staying in their church (it's spiritual abuse, frankly)... and sometimes their motivation has more to do with loosing a regular check in the plate than it does the spiritual well being of the person in question. That may offend some, but it's true.

Be accountable to one set of elders... but visit your Family in Christ.

[GloryBound]

I see no problem with visiting other churches now and then, if that's what you're doing. As long as it doesn't interfere with your usual commitments. Many churches have special events scheduled at times services are not usually held, just so people can come without missing their own church.

For example, a large church near me has special events on the first Sunday evening of the month. I used to go to some of them. But now we have activities on the first and third Sunday evenings and I am a leader. It would be wrong of me to get a sub and go just because a well known group is singing, or whatever.

[janh7]

Maybe some of ya'll are young. My dh and I are not. We have been believers for many years. We are a part of a large family of believers scattered all over the place. We are accountable to each other. We don't attend Sunday services with these Christian brothers and sisters, but that is a moot point. We eat and pray with them and worship with them when we see them. Have you ever worshipped in your living room? We have. So many people think that it is about the church building...it is not. I praise God that He has shown me that and so many other things throughout the years. The body of Christ is huge, people.

[KrispyKritter]

Originally posted by janh7
Maybe some of ya'll are young. My dh and I are not. We have been believers for many years. We are a part of a large family of believers scattered all over the place. We are accountable to each other. We don't attend Sunday services with these Christian brothers and sisters, but that is a moot point. We eat and pray with them and worship with them when we see them. Have you ever worshipped in your living room? We have. So many people think that it is about the church building...it is not. I praise God that He has shown me that and so many other things throughout the years. The body of Christ is huge, people.

Actually... we are part of a network of house churches... I agree 115%.

[ChopinFan]

I do understand the mindset of those who housechurch, but I think the principle still applies that there should be stability and accountability nonetheless. Whether you meet in a living room, sanctuary, or storefront, there should be some consistency there.

As far as the remark about insecure pastors, I tend to believe that's an unfair generalization......though there are surely some pastors who do want to lord over their congregations......I personally don't believe that's the norm.

A pastor has a shepherd's heart (at least a true pastor), and any shepherd is concerned about the state of the flock. One of his chief responsiblities is to protect and feed the flock of God. We are admonished to know those who labor among us, and to obey them that have the rule over us.

Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Kind of hard to obey that command when an individual never puts down any roots IMHO.



:):

[ChopinFan]

Originally posted by Wileyzmuse
Is it ok to have a church that you are involved with regularly but then visit other churches now and then just for a change. I almost feel like I'm cheating on my church by doing this LOL. Is that silly or what?

I think I may be taking this thread on a rabbit trail (that's what happens when you skim instead of reading in depth).

Your question seems very straight-forward

I don't think there's anything wrong with visiting other churches from time to time, especially for special services.

[BHiles]

The Ekklesia greek for church is a called out assembly from another group.

We are called out to church from the world. However the church is not worldwide. This is catholic doctrine that crept into our churches throughout the reformation and continues propogating by the TV ministries who feel they are entitled to your tithe as a world church.

1. In order to be a church, the people called-out must have been a part of another group.

2.They must have been called out of that group.

3. They must have formed another group.

The Church will not be a church of all believers until the rapture. At that time we will be the Church (universal church).

What about the Scriptures that say the church is His body? That is a term of ownership. The local church belongs to Him. He is the head of it.

[KrispyKritter]

Originally posted by ChopinFan
I do understand the mindset of those who housechurch, but I think the principle still applies that there should be stability and accountability nonetheless. Whether you meet in a living room, sanctuary, or storefront, there should be some consistency there.

Well, while I cant speak for every house church... most do have elders and accountability and church discipline (something seriously lacking in traditional churches today) ... etc etc

[KrispyKritter]

Originally posted by BHiles
The local church belongs to Him. He is the head of it.

Amen... thats why we house church. Got tired of going to churches that are "owned" by pastors, deacon boards, etc etc...

[BHiles]

Krispy,

Did you read the "10 reasons why I never bathe" thread recently?

[KrispyKritter]

Originally posted by BHiles
Krispy,

Did you read the "10 reasons why I never bathe" thread recently?

No, but at your suggestion I will!

[KrispyKritter]

OK... just read it.

Let me say that I prefer not to go to the traditional bath house... I like bathing at home.

:pound

(Anyone here who knows me understands the humor!)

[Slippery]

Church hopping :D: :D: you make it sound like if you are a spoilt kid in a candy store :)

[janh7]

BHiles, you said the church is not worldwide.

I have "church" friends in France, Spain, Scotland, Ireland, Gratz,Austria, Italy, to name just a few. My parents were home missionaries with a large network of missionary friends. I would say that the fact that these members of the body of Christ are all over the world would justify the statement I made earlier that the church is world wide.

[BHiles]

Originally posted by janh7
BHiles, you said the church is not worldwide.

I have "church" friends in France, Spain, Scotland, Ireland, Gratz,Austria, Italy, to name just a few. My parents were home missionaries with a large network of missionary friends. I would say that the fact that these members of the body of Christ are all over the world would justify the statement I made earlier that the church is world wide.

Unless you meet together in a called out assembly they are not part of your church. As stated before the churchof all believers will only happen at the rapture and beyond. The idea of a "world church" is catholic in doctrine, meaning and practice.

[janh7]

Unbelievable :frusty

[NEDoug]

Hate to get too theological here, but the NT never mentions local church membership. If one is a member of a local church today, it simply means that they have bonded themselves by either confession or oath to a state incorporated entity which is usually, but not always, sponsored by a denomination. In the early days of the Church (note the capital C as in Universal or True), they referred to "the Church at". Where you are worshipping today is the Church at _______________ (fill in the blank). Paul wrote letters to Churches at different places. He didn't seem to think one was better than another, and he loved them all the same, the Church at Corinth the same as the Church at Phillipi (although I strain myself in wondering why sometimes). I don't think Paul would look down on "Church at" hoppers today, unless they weren't supporting in some way as they went.

In my mind whenever a believer walks into a building then that building becomes the "Church at" because we all have Jesus in our hearts. When we move into that building so does Jesus. If you think God "resides" in certain buildings because they bear or show the name "church" then you really need to read Acts 17:24. If you feel guilty, like you are using "churches" without being a member, remember that there is no such Biblical thing as local "church" membership. When that state incorporated entity unlocked their doors and didn't post bouncers to throw you out as you tried to enter, it became their problem and not yours. Feel no sympathy for them, for many actually view this as their ministry.

Better a "Church at" hopper than a "Lone Ranger"!

[Wileyzmuse]

NEDoug thanks for your clear and digestible post!!! :D:

My hopping will be guilt-free from now on.

YSIC,
Patricia

[sunshine4jesus]

If church-hoppers are mentioned by pastors (and I have never heard it), tho I am sure some pastor has at some point said something, it is not the norm, and usually has nothing to do with the collection plate. It is generally a term used for folks who attend faithfully and participate for short periods of time. Until something comes us that they disagree about. Then they are gone. Sometimes they are vocal, and sometimes just gone, no explanation to the people or the pastor.

KrispyKritter, please refrain from making generalized comments about traditional churches. If you want to name a specific church and its pastor, fine. But the blanket statements are doing nothing but raising hackles of us who are in traditional churches that do NOT conform to your generalizations.

As a matter of fact, my church doesn't differ much from your home church accept for the facts that we have a church building and we are open to the public.
We don't even have deacons. We have no members who qualify for that office.

Should I have put this in a P.M.?


Original question: Enjoy fellowshipping with other churches,Wileymuze. As you describe it, it is not "wrong". IMO.

[Hootmon]

Do you feel it is a character defect to visit different churches at different times? No