When most people think about Jesus the first thing that comes to mind is “Church”.  Maybe you’ve done it all before, and don’t want anything to do with it.  I actually understand that and have felt the same way, but please read a little further, because my perspective is a little different than what you might be used to when you think about “church”.

First, I want to know what the bible says about church; I want to see the church through God’s eyes.  It might surprise you but the bible never talks about church being a building where people meet to have a “religious service”.  Many of today’s concepts of the church are not found in the bible!

Most people think of church as a building you go to, or something you do.  Nothing could be further from the truth. The meaning of church is actually, “the called out ones”.  The church isn’t a building; it actually refers to the people called out by God, to leave the world’s ideas, ways, and practices, to be followers of Jesus.

So it all comes down to relationship; having a relationship with Jesus based on what He has said about Himself, and a relationship with each other as “the body of Christ”, which is the church, the “called out ones”.

The truth is, the church as “the called out ones” is God’s idea.  It expresses God’s intention for us to belong to Him and each other.  Therefore, instead of thinking of it as a building, think of church as the people who are “called out by God”.  These people gather at homes, storefronts, church buildings, or even large settings like stadiums.  The true church is the people- not the building or denominational name.  You become part of the church by being “born from above“.

The church getting together

Though the bible doesn’t talk about church buildings or denominations, it does talk about Christians gathering together.  One reason for this is actually quite obvious: When a person is “born from above” they become “a child of God” and a part of a great big family along with the rest of God’s children!  What loving family doesn’t enjoy getting together?  The church isn’t a “religious business” God started; we’re His family!  No one has to tell me to go see my Mom, or call my sister, or force me to come to a family meal.  I do it because I love my family and want to spend time with them.  It’s the same with the church.

Some of the other reasons Christians gather is to encourage one another, learn more about God from the bible, and especially to worship Jesus.  (Jesus said that whenever two or more would gather in His name He’d be there among them, so there’s something very special about getting together with other Christians.)  This doesn’t have to be “churchy” at all!

Presently, my wife and I meet with other Christians who gather in a living room.  We have a small group of people who love Jesus and want to live for Him and know Him better.  The whole thing is very simple and non-religious; not at all what most people think of when they think of “church”!

On the other hand, I’ve been a part of groups that number in the thousands.  These have been much more in the vain of what people think of as “traditional” churches.  Do you think that these “churches”  might seem more”religious”?  I can see why people might think that, but I didn’t let that stop me from being a part of these groups.  Why?  Because I look for groups who are alive with a desire to know and live for Jesus and His truth, and I go where I can find that.  I let God lead me, I use His discernment, and because of that I have been a part of many wonderful “traditional” churches as I’ve traveled over the years.

The church that meets at Steve’s house!

It sounds very unofficial doesn’t it?  Yet, that’s the sort of thing you see when you read the bible’s accounts of the church!  Can it really be that simple?  Yes, it can!

I personally love the simple groups that meet in homes because I believe they best represent how the early church met.  Without going into detail here, they allow for the intimacy, simplicity and personal spiritual growth that larger settings often do not.  Home groups tend to lean towards everyone having an active role during the gathering, (compared to the Pastor doing most things in a traditional church gathering).  I believe this participation is one of the most crucial aspects to spiritual growth.  It is an aspect that most traditional churches almost completely lack with their structure, but is clearly talked about in God’s Word:

“What then shall we say, brothers?  When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation.  All of these things must be done for the strengthening of the church.”  (1 Corinthians 14.26)

For these reasons, and more, my wife and I are presently meeting with other Christians in a home.  However, I have to say that meeting in a home is not the end all and be all… loving and following Jesus is.  The truth is, it may be very hard for you to find a home group even if you want to!  There is a return to these groups happening among Christians, but they are few in number compared to the regular traditional churches.  (Not only that, but just because a group meets in simplicity at home doesn’t mean it’s necessarily good!)  Home groups can be in error and teach false doctrine, just as traditional churches can.  In fact, I have had a few close friends find out the hard way that just because it’s a “home church” doesn’t mean it’s a good church!  Be forewarned!

Asking God to lead you

As I said earlier, I try to go where God leads me, and I test it by His Word.  I do not see the church as being a denomination, a building, or a manmade organization.  Since I know the church is “God’s called-out people”, I look for people who are walking in truth and loving Him, be it a home or “traditional” setting.

Don’t be alone

One thing that I don’t want to do is sit home alone.  Remember, the bible teaches that gathering together is important because our spiritual life is part of a whole.  I am just one small part of a larger body called the Ekklesia, “the church”.  I need the other parts of the body, just as they need me.  (What good is an eye disconnected from the body?  Or a foot, without a leg?)  That’s how God looks at us- we are part of a much larger whole, (the Body of Christ), with Jesus being the head.

To wrap this up about the church… it’s not something you go to if you’re a Christian, it’s something you are!  Remember, the church is Christ’s body; don’t try to be a hand, or foot, out there all by yourself, it won’t work!  Find Christians that you can gather together with and be part of the whole.

More and more we hear of out-of-church Christians who have left the IC (institutional church) because they believe it’s “the end of the Church Age”.

One of the biggest proponents behind this teaching is Harold Camping who claims the Church Age has ended.  Camping teaches that Christians should stop going to church and ”depart from churches.”   The teaching, however, has spread far and wide beyond Harold Camping and is rapidly gaining traction.  Many people have done exactly as Camping and others have told them to do and are now called “out-of-church Christians”.

As I’ve observed the phenomenon over the years I’ve noticed a striking lack of discernment among many who have “left church”.  The assumption is, of course, that GOD lead them out and told them to depart- that He is doing a “new thing” and that they are simply “getting in the flow” of what God is doing.  Maybe it’s time we started asking some hard questions:

1. What if God is NOT the one who told you to leave?
2. What if you’re being lead astray?
3. Could this be a counterfeit from the enemy of your soul to bring you into a place where you are away from God’s people?”

God’s Word tells us to “Test everything.  Hold on to the good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

The failure to follow this simple admonition is why so many have fallen to the seduction of bad teaching.  Over and over again scripture warns us:

“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3)

I have followed the trend of out-of-church Christians very closely because I believe God is bringing change to the church, but I am also aware that we have an enemy who is cunning and lays the snare of counterfeits.

I have no desire to find myself led astray, deceived, or walking in a counterfeit work of the enemy!  God tells me to “Test everything”, so that’s exactly what I’m going to do!

Something strange is going on here!

I’ve paid especially close attention to the out-of-church movement because I’ve written songs that address apostasy and lukewarmness in the church.  This is something I’ve thought about for a very long time- I wrote “Whatever Happened To Jesus” in 1987 .  I only recently recorded it and made it available to the public.  I couldn’t help but notice that the timing of the release of this song coincides with the ”Out-Of-Church movement”, the “Emergent Church movement” and the “End of the Church Age” trend that we are seeing… but with one vital difference- I have arrived at VERY different conclusions than all of these movements!

It is very obvious change is in the air, and as far as I can see, a fair amount of deception is accompanying whatever legitimate things God may be doing.

I believe God is bringing change to the church, (as He has often done throughout church history through periods of revival).  As history has shown, this change has most often occurred outside of the mainstream church, so it would not surprise me if that is again the case.  I have noticed one startling difference, however, between some of the current “movements” and past legitimate “moves of God” that is alarming to me- past moves of God have always revolved around His Word and restoring to the church the truth and person of Jesus Christ according to the bible.  Many of the present day “moves” that are supposedly from God actually downplay the Word of God, or twist it in imaginative ways to make it say things that it never says!

Is the Church Age over?  Did Jesus put an end to “church”?  Are we to stop gathering with Christians?

An excellent example of distorting and twisting God’s Word is found in the claim that the Church Age is over.  Many Christians have believed the lie, stopped gathering with other Christians, and think they’re actually better off sitting home alone than gathering with God’s people! 

The deception behind the claim that the Church Age is over should be as obvious as the noon day sun:  The church in the Word of God is referred to as the Ekklesia- the “called out ones”- in other words, the church is God’s people.  We are being told that the Church Age is over while the church is still here!  I keep hearing from Christians that the Church Age is over and recently I was online talking about the subject: 

“You keep saying it’s “the end of the church age”.  Please give me scripture to support your claims.  The church- the Ekklesia- is still here!  The church age has not ended.  We are still in a time of grace, people are still getting saved, the Body of Christ is still on planet earth.  Jesus is still standing at the door and knocking, He is still saying, “Be earnest and repent!”  He hasn’t left the scene or walked away from His people- “If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:19-20)

You are still here, I am still here, the church is still here- the church age has not ended.

If you’re going to continue to make the claim that the church age has ended, please show us from the Word of God why you believe this to be true.”

You see, there is no reasonable explanation that can be found in God’s Word to give validity to the claim that the Church Age is over.  In fact, the bible tells us that the church will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air (The Rapture)- so consider the evidence that is before us- the church is still here, the rapture has not yet happened, the Church Age cannot be over while the church is still on planet earth!

Did God really tell you to stop gathering with other Christians?

Ekklesia means “called out ones” but it also has the meaning of an assembly or congregation.

1 Corinthians 14:26: “What shall we say, brothers?  WHEN YOU COME TOGETHER, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation…” etc.

Notice what is said… “When you come together…”  The Apostle Paul assumes the church will come together- it’s a given.

1 Corinthians 14:26 makes no sense outside of the context of the church gathering together- We cannot do the things this verse is talking about if we’re sitting at home alone!

We are the “Body of Christ”, we are brothers and sisters in Christ- FAMILY!  What kind of healthy family doesn’t get together if they’re able?

“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”  (1 John 1:3)

The early church was one big family, do you mean to tell me that God is now telling us not to gather and fellowship together with our brothers and sisters in Christ, our family in the Lord?

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”  (Acts 2: 42-47)

Again, if you stop to think about it, the truth should be so obvious and the deception so clear, that no one would fall for being told not to gather with other Christians!

Finally, the scripture has warned us in advance to be careful! 

There are many people, saying many things, going about telling us what to believe and do; the scriptures warned us this would happen:

“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” (1 Timothy 4:1)

I hope you will make your source of truth the Word of God, and that you will “test everything” as the scripture tells you to do, so that you will not be taken in by deception.  The Church Age is not over, and you will not be able to find anyone who can prove it is by using the bible- unless they go to great lengths to twist and manipulate scripture in their efforts to try and prove their point- and that should be the first sign that something’s not quite right with what they’re teaching!

Some people have the concept that they SOLO are the church… sitting alone in your bedroom, YOU are the church?  Hmmm.  We’re the “called out ones” not the called out, “one”.  YOU are not the church.  If you’re His, you’re a part of the church.  That implies connection.  If you think God has done away with “church” and Christians gathering together you are sadly mistaken!  There are those going around teaching such things and you’ll never find that idea in the bible.  The church is God’s idea, God loves her, and Jesus is coming back for His bride (Ephesians 5:25-27), the church.