By Jim Gordon
Those of us who are outside the walls of religion and institutional church have found a freedom we sometimes cannot explain. At least we cannot explain it in a way that people who still attend a church building will understand.
The problem is those who still attend the traditional church do not accept the fact that everyone is different and sees things in various ways. They usually want to stay away from us or talk about how we have backslidden and fallen away from God because we do not do what we have traditionally been taught was godly.
Nothing could be farther from the truth. We are worshipping and loving God just as much as before only in a different way. We have not left the Church (ekklesia) but we have left the building (church). Jesus is building His Church out of ‘living stones’ not brick and mortar.
My wife and I left the church because we felt the system was not the way God intended, yet we never left the true Church which is made up of all of those who are believers.
Each of us has an equally important part to play in the body yet no one is the head or over anyone else. Each of us are kings, priests and functioning parts of the body and we are all needed and important. Of course, only Jesus is the head of his Church not a pastor.
Those of us who have left the traditional church service are often told we need to attend because we should not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Yet this verse does not mean we have to be in an organized, pre-planned service led by a pastor and a worship leader. It is saying we need our brothers and sisters in Christ. Whether we meet on a Monday at a café, Tuesday in a home, Thursday at a bar or Friday in a park makes no difference. Jesus said for where two or three gather together in my name there I am in their midst.
For us true and meaningful fellowship happens each and every day when God brings us together with a brother or sister, or when we meet up with another couple for dinner. It also may be a time of one-on-one fellowship online with a brother hundreds of miles away yet bonded closely through the Spirit.
We are so conditioned to think of the church building and its events and happenings as the main way of fellowship and learning. Although we are told in the bible that when we come together each of us should have a word, or a song, or a praise. How often does that happen within the institutional church? Yet being outside the walls my wife and I have found this to be the norm. We all talk, we encourage one another, learn about each other, pray for one another and we support and care for each other. Fellowship is everyone having a part to play and everyone being open and talking about what God is to them. Sitting quietly in a church service does not fulfill what God intended fellowship to be among his children.
We should remember that rather than having a feeling of ‘us vs them’ mentality those of us who used to be part of the institutional church should also keep in mind that those who attend church are doing so because they love God and think they are doing the right thing. We are all children of God, whether we are in the institutional church or out of it. We are all parts of the Church that Jesus is building.
For those still attending, most do not think about how the system is wrong and is not what God intended for His people. After all, this is all we have known all our lives. We have been taught all along that this is God’s plan for us, to assemble together in a building, pay our tithes and look to the pastor as God’s spokesperson. I know I believed this for many years while within the system.
As people of God we are to love God and love others. We cannot do that in our own strength it is by the power of the Spirit within us. The sad thing is we should not have a problem loving our brothers and sisters in Christ. Yet sometimes it seems we have more trouble loving those who are part of a tradition that we no longer feel is right, but are still followers of the same God we love.
I pray that all of us can keep in mind that we are children of God, saved by grace and living in His kingdom now. Whether we are ‘in church’ or outside the walls, let us focus on our love of the Father and for one another. The world needs to see the love of God in action among His children. They do not need to see arguing, fighting and disrespect that is so familiar among Christians today.
Done with Religion 
Hello Lawrence, thanks for your question. In my opinion, what happened in the Old Covenant is no longer relevant today. When Jesus lived on earth, up until his death he was living under the Old Covenant rules. Of course, after his death and resurrection the Old Covenant was fulfilled and we now live under the New Covenant, or the age of grace. As far as the church mentioned in the book of Acts, I feel under the New Covenant, it is the free choice of each of us to meet with other believers anytime, anywhere and any day we so choose. There is no obligation to meet formally in a religious church setting as we know it today. Nothing wrong with it, just a matter of choice.
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Brother Jim.
Hope you doing fine.I have a few questions.In the Old Covenant Jews met on yhe Sabbath.In fact the gospel alludes to this fact.Jesus went to the synagogue on Sabbath as His custom was.Shouldnt we also go to a building or house on Sunday since He is our word of God?Secondly the book of Acts tells us us about the Troas church which met on first day of the week to break bread.Shouldnt this be our practice too?
Thanks.
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Hello Reginald, thank you for reading the article and taking the time to comment. First let me say a resounding yes. I am as committed to the Kingdom as previously. Just because I left the institutional church system has nothing to do with leaving my love for and faith in God. To me church is not a building nor an organization but it is people who love God. The idea of meeting in a building with a set program, set leader and on a set day is not what I see God meaning when he say he would build his church. Church is people, living stones, following the example of Jesus and living under the guidance of the Holy Spirit each and every day no matter where they are. If someone chooses to attend the religious organization then they should help support it with their money. In the organization there are mortgages to pay, salaries to pay and miscellaneous expenses. Those obviously fall to the people who belong to that organization. Yet I do not believe in tithing. In the new covenant we are told to give out of love and not follow a rule for a set ten percent. My checkbook may not look like a checkbook that belongs to someone who gives to their church weekly. You may see payments for groceries, miscellaneous bills, PayPal payments to Go-Fund-Me and charities but yet you will not see payments to churches. You might think all these mentioned payments are for personal expenses, but if you could look further you would see the result of giving out of love. Payments for a family down the street that needs groceries before their next paycheck, payments to utility companies or miscellaneous bills to help out a family that has no income at the moment, PayPal payments to charities or people who have fallen on hard times or lost a loved one and needs financial help. Just looking at a checkbook can be sometimes be hard to determine exactly what is going on. Even for those who give to a church organization regularly and who looks spiritual can be living out of obligation or living selfishly by not helping others out of love. Leaving the organized church system has nothing to do with our faith in God. Following the example of Jesus and living for God is a daily 24/7 way of life. It is not done out of obligation, not done trying to follow the commandments and earning our way to God. It is a way of life following God by listening to the Holy Spirit who lives within us and doing what Jesus said to do, love God and love one another. I hope this answers your question. Thanks again for reading our articles.
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Mr. Gordon,
While I agree that alternative modes of “church” … let us say for example truckers meeting in a network of Bible gatherings at truck stops, the biker church movement, and even the house church movement … are as valid as the traditional “in-building” church … let me ask you this …
Would an examination of your checkbook (or credit card receipts log) and your monthly calendars show that you are as committed to the Lord’s Kingdom, as previously? Seems that would be hard, with the spontaneous approach you describe.
This implies no judgment of you, I am just asking.
Thanks,
Reginald Finger
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Thanks Tim. Good comment. Good points. I would be interested in your book. Thanks for the offer.
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Twenty years ago our young family walked away from institutionalized church to simple, organic, or what I call 100% church – small groups of believers meetin house to house. A couple years into this our family went to tour the East Coast. At the Statue of Liberty I observed in the exhibit under the statue they show that the statue has some chains around the feed of the lady that are unshackled but lying there. My heart jumped for joy as I realized I was free from the “ruling” of institutionalized leaders. You know, the Bible says “let the elders who RULE well” 1 Tim. 5:17 and “Obey those that have the RULE over you.” Hebrews 13:17. I know now that the Greek word for rule does not occurs here. It simply means to lead or go in front as one setting the example for others to follow. Hired leaders love to “rule” even though they can see it does not mean that. They know Jesus said “exercising authority…not so among you” but they disregard it. I am free from this contrived corruption of church to walk in “the new and living way” where I can go into the “holy places” with Jesus. Jesus paid for this “with his blood”. The culmination of this “new and living way” is believers “meeting together” to “stir up one another to love and good works”…and “encourage one another”. That is not permitted in the pulpit and pew routine.
Hebrews 10:24-25 24
And let US (all of us) consider how to stir up ONE ANOTHER to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to MEET TOGETHER, as is the habit of some, but encouraging ONE ANOTHER, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
“…and all the more may mean 2 or 3 times a day, at work, over the phone, texting, Facebook, Face Time, etc.
Here are my 5 points of reform for 100% church:
1. 100% of giving goes beyond the “needs of the givers. Institutional church will consume 84% of the giving to buy stuff primarily for those who give the money. That’s pooling not giving.
2. 100% mutual relationships. No hierarchy for elevated leaders. Jesus said “You are all brothers…” when the disciples wanted to start a power pyramid.
3. 100% two way communication. No lecture. There are 58 “one another” instructions in the NT. There is no time left for lecture by one person. There are no instructions for lecture – even “preach the word” cannot be exposited into one man lecturing for the whole time.
4. 100% reproducing leadership. No reserved ministries for anyone, not matter what degree they have. Jesus Luke 6:40 and Paul 2 Tim. 2:1,2 taught “fully training” and “entrusting” everything to others. Making disciples is the highest calling. That goes to everyone.
5. 100% inter generational meeting. Never send the children away. They can be the most powerful members in their “child like faith”. Remember “…for of such is the kingdom of heaven”?
If someone wants to add another point for 100% I’m eager to hear about it.
I’ve written a free PDF book showing from the Bible that spiritual leadership should always be combined with marketplace work. “Full time ministry” is directly disobedient to Paul’s teaching. The “right to be paid” is completely twisted by every hired Bible expert. It is shocking to me what I have found. I can IM it to anyone or email. If you responde on this post it will email me.
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Thank you Sonny. Sounds like you and your wife were involved in the institution about as long as me and my wife. Never done learning and changing when following Jesus. Thanks for the comment. And yes you may use this on your site.
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Excellent summary of how my wife and I feel after 45+years of mainstream “Church” We discovered a few years ago that to love our neighbors, forgive our enemies and follow Jesus without reservation or limit. May I share your blog on mine? https://saltlightministry.com/
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Thanks Helen, I appreciate your kind words.
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Thank you for posting this. My husband & I left the “traditional church” years ago. Of course we were frowned upon for leaving. We feel more blessed by simply following our Lord and master Jesus . We were both Baptized in the Holy Spirit . I received after reading a book written by Dennis Bennett. Clark was filled on his way to work in about 22 years ago. (with evidence of speaking in tongues as spoken of in Acts.) We really tried to spread the “good new” to the “church” but we had a lot of resistance ! Thanks again for sharing. You are truly our brother. Helen
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