Hi, I am not a very social person even though I like just about everyone. Those few that I don’t like I can still love, meaning I can do good things for them (verb agapao, rather than noun agape). Best I can tell, I am this way due to both nurture and nature, much of it deliberately self-inflicted like an animal that chews a leg off to get out of a trap. So being part of the Body of Christ can be a confusing, frustrating situation for all involved. I have had a number of conversations about this with other believers and it has never been a good experience. Maybe it is best not to bring it up at all. But even if I don’t bring it up, how can I respond in a Christ-like way when someone challenges me about my congregational participation?
See, when I am “encouraged” to be more involved in congregational activities (membership, attendance, small groups) because that is what the Body of Christ is and that is how He works, it smells more like “If you were really saved you would <blank>” I am sure many have smelled that aroma from those that want you to, well, be more like them whether it be a particular doctrine, financial contributions, door-to-door evangelism, etc. The <blank> is something those people happened to be passionate about and gifted at, so you should too! (Following that track can show how Cults get started and grow…)
But congregational participation is viewed very differently. Perhaps it is inevitable when you consider how a Local Church Congregation functions. If they weren’t tightly knit, would they exist for long? I doubt it. So where does that leave those, like me, that aren’t very social? Should we consider ourselves, as some others certainly do, reprobates, beyond God’s salvation because we choose to be? This would be true if having a social personality is a choice. And might it be so? What if the only reason someone did not have a social personality was due to some kind of sinful pride? They might THINK there is nothing, but God’s healing touch, that can change them and yet be deluding themselves. And what greater proof than to intentionally isolate yourself from the Body of Christ!?!?!
For me that is a bone chilling thought. But where else would I be presented with that terrorizing thought but from those promoting congregational participation as evidence of being part of the Body of Christ? Ironically, that has the opposite of the intended effect: It DIScourages me to be where this thought abounds – in a congregational environment! HaHaHa
But when I walk out of the Church doors and see the natural things God has created, and re-live the moment of my personal, private revelation of Salvation, that terrorizing thought disperses like the exhaust from an old rusty truck going down the road. And yet, I see enormous good that comes from the congregational participation of others. It is a blessing from God, but is it either a requirement for, or an indication of, God’s Salvation? I don’t think so, although I accept that others do. In fact I can and do much to support the congregational participation of others because it is such a wonderful thing. As I mentioned, it can be a really confusing, frustrating situation for all involved. And that is what I am asking you fine folks for help with.
How do I respond in a Christ-like way when someone brings up the subject of congregational participation being an expectation, or even a requirement, of Christ-like living?
See, when I am “encouraged” to be more involved in congregational activities (membership, attendance, small groups) because that is what the Body of Christ is and that is how He works, it smells more like “If you were really saved you would <blank>” I am sure many have smelled that aroma from those that want you to, well, be more like them whether it be a particular doctrine, financial contributions, door-to-door evangelism, etc. The <blank> is something those people happened to be passionate about and gifted at, so you should too! (Following that track can show how Cults get started and grow…)
But congregational participation is viewed very differently. Perhaps it is inevitable when you consider how a Local Church Congregation functions. If they weren’t tightly knit, would they exist for long? I doubt it. So where does that leave those, like me, that aren’t very social? Should we consider ourselves, as some others certainly do, reprobates, beyond God’s salvation because we choose to be? This would be true if having a social personality is a choice. And might it be so? What if the only reason someone did not have a social personality was due to some kind of sinful pride? They might THINK there is nothing, but God’s healing touch, that can change them and yet be deluding themselves. And what greater proof than to intentionally isolate yourself from the Body of Christ!?!?!
For me that is a bone chilling thought. But where else would I be presented with that terrorizing thought but from those promoting congregational participation as evidence of being part of the Body of Christ? Ironically, that has the opposite of the intended effect: It DIScourages me to be where this thought abounds – in a congregational environment! HaHaHa
But when I walk out of the Church doors and see the natural things God has created, and re-live the moment of my personal, private revelation of Salvation, that terrorizing thought disperses like the exhaust from an old rusty truck going down the road. And yet, I see enormous good that comes from the congregational participation of others. It is a blessing from God, but is it either a requirement for, or an indication of, God’s Salvation? I don’t think so, although I accept that others do. In fact I can and do much to support the congregational participation of others because it is such a wonderful thing. As I mentioned, it can be a really confusing, frustrating situation for all involved. And that is what I am asking you fine folks for help with.
How do I respond in a Christ-like way when someone brings up the subject of congregational participation being an expectation, or even a requirement, of Christ-like living?
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