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Worshiping with People I disagree with

How can I go to a church that

uses a piano, or
calls the preacher pastor, or
allows women to lead the congregation in prayer?

One man considers one day more sacred than another

The apostle Paul was not one who required that everyone agree with him. He encouraged the Romans in chapter 14 to tolerate and be patient with those they disagreed with.

I have often heard this passage is often misinterpreted to mean one can worship with those who bind things that are not bound in the Bible, but one cannot worship with those who do not bind things that have been bound in the Bible. For example I have heard it said that if Sally believes it is a sin for a woman to pray without a headcovering (I Cor. 11), then Carol who thinks it is not a sin, can still worship with her. However Sally cannot worship with Carol. I call this one way fellowship. You can worship with those more legalistic, but not more liberal. And the more legalistic cannot worship with you. This makes the passage meaningless.

The apostle Paul was adamant that those who esteemed one day as holier than another and those who esteemed all days alike had to equally tolerate each other as fellow citizens in God's kingdom (Romans 14).

In another passage Paul is clear that the Sabbath Day is no longer binding (Colossians 2). Yet Paul refuses to allow that doctrine to split up those who believe in Jesus. If someone is wrong and feels the Sabbath Day is important to keep, then don't condemn that person. And the person who keeps the Sabbath cannot condemn the person who does not keep the Sabbath. The application today would be: If someone believes that one has to take communion every Sunday, they should not condemn those who do not believe one has to take communion every Sunday. One person is wrong and the other is right, but they both stand before the Lord, because God forgives them both of their shortcomings.

The apostle Paul becomes eloquent when he tells the Romans that there is something so much bigger than dividing over what we can eat and what day we worship on:

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

Once we let go of making everyone agree and focus on the fact that we are fellow believers that God sent His Son to earth to die for us, then we can tolerate much greater differences.

I have heard it said that if Sally believes it is a sin for a woman to pray without a headcovering (I Cor. 11), then Carol who thinks it is not a sin, can still worship with her. However Sally cannot worship with Carol.

To talk to other people in similar situations, go to our Bulletin Board.