But I will give it a shot.... I have been challenged the last few years to defend my faith and it led to re-thinking "what am I doing these few hours each week?" What is the church? What does it mean in Mark 10:30 we will receive 100 mothers, brothers and sisters... I haven't officially "left" the coc yet - I am GREATLY torn as I cant help but feel I have not done all I can to warn others of the fire... Yet I can't stand the checklist worship service and classes, they are sooo not what is spoken of by our Messiah! My greatest need is prayer I can be courageous and not wimp out fearing the rejection that occurs, those name calling, and the other things my family has experienced in the past when leaving other coc groups to go to a different coc one... leaving all together now is two-fold - it's that hurtful side but even greater is my duty to warn others about the traditions we have set up and hold so fast to under the guise of "worshipping in spirit and in truth" The last year has been one filled with lots of changes! I happened across a website, similar to this one but not specifically about coc, just general Christian 'churches' and was blown away that someone else GOT IT! That YES there were OTHERS who have had these questions and had come up with conclusions far from the "worship services" we have today, rather the ekkesia is a family, it's one that labors over one another, it's involved in one anothers lives the power is evident through the love they show one another and towards all! It's not about being perfect, rather are we going to continue in sin or are our hearts soft that we will flee from sin - do we welcome others warning us of sin in our lives or do we hide and lash out at those who attempt to labor over us? We can't have those types of relationships just sitting next to someone once or twice a week - it takes being involved sacrificing for one another that we can build one another up and carry one anothers burdens....
So - now I am at a point I see the errors that have been taught to us and realize I will not find the relationship in the traditional meet on sunday/Wednesday religious groups - rather it will be found when I allow my will to be thrown aside and seek first the kingdom of God
~BlessedWifeAndMama
