How CofC impacted me, KLP

[KLP]

Do you still feel that you can't be comfortable or join unless you agree with them totally? Or are the turnoffs specific matters that are non-negotiable? I guess it matters whether or not belonging to a group is most important, or not important to you personally?

The wisdom of God says the group thing is important and beneficial, so who am I to argue. And yes, I consider it a turn off when a group, under spiritual leadership and after consideration, posts a statement of faith as being "true" or "major" when in fact said doctrine is either not in scripture or is in direct conflict with scripture. So how does one really "join" a group when at the same time you know you have to keep your inward thoughts to yourself?

[B.H.]

I personally place being right as being more important than the need to be in the group.

[agricola]

I would guess that everybody thinks they are 'right' (or at least thinks they aren't wrong!). I tried being 'nothing' for a couple or three years, but I wasn't satisfied with it. Some people are fine with not having some kind of extended group. I'm glad I was able to settle down with a group and one that doesn't require lockstep assent to everything. Outside of some basics that I DO agree with, most everything else is not a deal breaker (there's a lot of variability built in, in other words, on most all topics).

I couldn't be a happy part of any group that held as 'fact' something I could NOT agree or assent to, though. I remember being very surprised? confused? by people that would join a church because it was 'near the house', or 'it has a good preschool' or 'I like the preacher there' and they didn't even TRY to see what their beliefs were about! After being in a coc, that just seemed so totally and completely weird! to not know or even CARE. It was so important, growing up coc, that we not only had to care what was taught but we had to completely and totally agree with every single bit of it. Meeting people who put more importance on the facility (nursery? youth group?) and so little on the teaching was just so strange to me.

[Cootie Brown]

I would guess that everybody thinks they are 'right' (or at least thinks they aren't wrong!). I tried being 'nothing' for a couple or three years, but I wasn't satisfied with it. Some people are fine with not having some kind of extended group. I'm glad I was able to settle down with a group and one that doesn't require lockstep assent to everything. Outside of some basics that I DO agree with, most everything else is not a deal breaker (there's a lot of variability built in, in other words, on most all topics).

I couldn't be a happy part of any group that held as 'fact' something I could NOT agree or assent to, though. I remember being very surprised? confused? by people that would join a church because it was 'near the house', or 'it has a good preschool' or 'I like the preacher there' and they didn't even TRY to see what their beliefs were about! After being in a coc, that just seemed so totally and completely weird! to not know or even CARE. It was so important, growing up coc, that we not only had to care what was taught but we had to completely and totally agree with every single bit of it. Meeting people who put more importance on the facility (nursery? youth group?) and so little on the teaching was just so strange to me.

There are those who consider liberal forms of Xianity to be little more than social clubs aka religious country clubs. When my wife was going through new member orientation at the Methodist Church & Methodist doctrine & tradition was being
presented the class was told agreement wasn't required for membership. In other words when it came to doctrine members could believe whatever they wanted or were comfortable with. I'm pretty sure belief in God & Jesus was't optional though.

[onward]

I couldn't be a happy part of any group that held as 'fact' something I could NOT agree or assent to, though. I remember being very surprised? confused? by people that would join a church because it was 'near the house', or 'it has a good preschool' or 'I like the preacher there' and they didn't even TRY to see what their beliefs were about! After being in a coc, that just seemed so totally and completely weird! to not know or even CARE. It was so important, growing up coc, that we not only had to care what was taught but we had to completely and totally agree with every single bit of it. Meeting people who put more importance on the facility (nursery? youth group?) and so little on the teaching was just so strange to me.

Agreed ...

Seems completely unreasonable (at least to me) that a person desiring to worship God would be obligated scripturally, or coerced in any manner, to become a member of a particular church in order to worship God. If the Lord adds us to His church, how can any church deem it essential that a person jump through their membership hoops in order to be an acceptable Christian! I honestly don't see the need to be under a plethora of elders, or under the oversight of a glorified pastor to be right ... my day-to-day relationship with Jesus trumps what others think, or demand of me.

[FinallyFree]

Like the Methodist Church, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) allows you to have your own opinions on many issues. You just have to believe Jesus is the Son of God and he was raised from the dead. The Disciples immerse, but do accept others' baptisms, even if it was infant. That is the only thing I kind of have a problem with, but they are very ecumenical and I accept that.

[onward]

Like the Methodist Church, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) allows you to have your own opinions on many issues. You just have to believe Jesus is the Son of God and he was raised from the dead. The Disciples immerse, but do accept others' baptisms, even if it was infant. That is the only thing I kind of have a problem with, but they are very ecumenical and I accept that.

There are only two Restoration-type churches in my little dinky town, both hardline CoC tribes. If there was a Christian Church within 20-30 miles of my home I would certainly check it out.

[KLP]

Well, like the thread title states, I am venting and sharing how the CofC impacted me. And I welcome your support and agreement per the stated guidelines.

[agricola]

We are but totally supportive! and agreeing! Peace out, man. (channeling my youngest daughter when she channels the Californians she went to college with. I think they think it is illegal to be UNsupportive. They are usually completely stoned though, which probably helps).

[teresa]

So how does one really "join" a group when at the same time you know you have to keep your inward thoughts to yourself?

I was faced with a similar situation. Petros joined a congregation, but I felt I could not. When I spoke up in Bible class one Sunday, the elder/teacher turned to the class and said "We do not believe that here". I was really taken aback. It felt like a slap in the face.

But I found a way to make a difference at that congregation, which the same elder/teacher and the pastor appreciated (and told me so). So I feel good about the time I spent there. I can tell you about the strategy I adopted to make a difference, if you are interested. However, I don't know if it would be relevant to your situation.