Comments on: No Fellowship? No Problem!

By: Pam B.

Pam B. — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:47:52 +0000

So grateful that you wrote this. Took me a while to find it on google but when it popped up this morning I was thrilled to read it. My family and I, like many others, have not been in a church now for 3 years. Oh, we’ve tried going on occasion but it always feels pushed and on the fakey side like we were only doing it b/c we thought it was right not b/c we knew it to be right. As we see our neighbor driving off on Sunday morning and we’re still eating breakfast we say to one another…”they must think we’re heathens…” We laugh about it but now that I’ve seen it written in words, I realize that it’s just what you said: we were concerned how we looked to other Christians. I know now that this desert time, as you put it, is a wonderful place to be and I should not feel guilty about being here. Now that I think about it….I’ve been a little resentful towards the Lord that we could not find “a place of fellowship” and for the reason we left the fellowship to begin with. I guess it took a while but I’m glad he finally gave me the answer. Time to go speak with the Father. Thanks.

By: Jacquelyn Riege

Jacquelyn Riege — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:22:18 +0000

The only time the Lord allowed me to be a part of a church was when I was first born again. He put me in a church where the Pastor was wise and had discernment and put me on the right path and also taught me how to understand King James which I love. I have floated in and out of churches for 33 years, when the Lord sent me to one on Sunday morning or a Wednesday night to hear something he wanted me to hear. Recently he has told me to stop listening to man and listen only to him which I am doing. He also told me to keep a notebook and write down everything he tells me and I am doing this. A friend in Maine sent a letter about you and I have been reading ever since. I sent for your book Getting Babylon out of You because I still have guilt feelings about not attending services…………..I KNOW where that comes from but I think maybe reading that book will help me with that. You know how most Christians will give you all those reasons they have for you to have to go…………so, I am hopeing this will put an end to that. Thank you for being there for people like me.

By: Patti

Patti — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 11:47:24 +0000

I guess the stage my husband and I are in (if there is such a thing) looks like this: We’ve been out now for about 8 years, completely out (no home groups either) for a 5. We commune daily with the Lord, meaning that we truly realize His presence in us and walk with Him and talk with Him as we go with special set apart times of prayer and study, as He leads. From time to time He “brings us out” to be used for His purposes such as going to prisons, going to India to speak, or speaking in other places. But these callings are definately chosen by Him, and many times, have alot of time in between, with many anguish filled internal workings of His going on. It’s as if, when He does some more work on the inside of us, then and only then are we presentable, or have something to offer others. I’ve come to appreciate that work,and am trusting His decisions on the timing of everything. (Well, of alot more things than I have previously trusted) As far as fellowshipping, He’s getting me there.I do get lonely, but I’ve never considered that the reason might be that I just wanted to be accepted. I will definately seek God about that one. And, yes I agree with you that He is wanting us to decide if He is enough for us. I want to say the right answer, that sure He is enough, but there may be some more work that needs to be done, for that really to be true in my heart. It seems like my insecurities may get in the way of that being a reality, so I will continue to yield to His work to make it so. Thanks for your ministry to the Body.

By: Nancy Bennett Baker

Nancy Bennett Baker — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:03:28 +0000

Good Morning Chip – I needed this — I have gone through several churches and found I did not have a place there – or was not really accepted there — I moved to another town over a year ago – and got invited to a church that had a ministry of helping people in need – believing this was a good ministry I began attending and helping out — then the tables turned – and I got falsely accused of some things – called a heritic – and told my problem was I would not submit to authority !! And demanded I repent – by the pastor himself — This was after many months of being a prayer warrior for him and his church – !?! One thing I do know – is you don’t have to submit to authority that is in the wrong !! The church I had been too previously – where I lived before coming here – I left because I saw too many things that was not right – not lining up with what I was reading in the Bible — I was not sure what it was – until I visited another church in Omaha – that practiced more of the principles in the Bible than any church I had been in – and I saw what was missing was the spiritual depth of the Word of God — Your description of being more worldly than spiritual was very fitting – and exactly right — my good friends who also attended this church felt I had “fallen away from God” because I was not attending this church or any church at the time — so this was really good for me to see your article — I have found exactly what you said to be true – and was glad to see this so clearly explained — If you are not connected to the Head – you cannot be connected to the Body — That has been my focus – seek God – not man – for my spirituality and growth — there are those who consdier themselves “so spiritual” -but one cannot be spiritual without the Holy Spirit !! This article has made me to better understand a few things the Lord has given me over the years — 1) Many years ago – as I cried out to Him because I was alone – the Lord answered me – “JESUS WALKED ALONE” — now I understand this better — 2) and in responding to my friends that I had not fallen away from God – only from the “church” – because God wanted me to learn from HIM – not from man ! — I knew when I spoke those words that was the Lord’s answer for me — Man has misrepresented the Word of God for so long — 3) and then most recently – my efforts to join another “fellowship” – only to have the table turned again — I have found so much more peace – with no strife — more fellowship with Him – and less sidetracked into “works” — and more important – more LOVE from Jesus – without conditions – than from any other relationships with mankind – including my own family members. HE TRULY IS THE ANSWER — and I never cease to be awed at the fact that my Heavenly Father loves me – even when no one else does !! If it were not for His love – and His fellowship – and His hand on me – I would not be alive today — He has made my life worth living – giving me a reason to Live – FOR HIM — and He has given me a JOY that no man has ever given me !! And I have found every church that I have attended has never given me that — God took me out of the “church” several years ago – and after this last encounter – I will stay out — Your article showed me that is exactly what God wants for me — First and primary – relationship with HIM -not with man — He is ALL SUFFICIENT — Many years ago I heard a message about if you do not answer the call God has for you – He will find someone else to answer that call — I went home in tears and asking God what it was He wanted for me – I did not want miss His call on my life — as I walked in the door of my house – God audibly answered me — I DO NOT NEED YOU — That startled me – and I cried out to Him what do you mean ? — He answered me – I DO NOT NEED YOU — I WANT YOU – AND I WANT YOU TO WANT ME !!!
How much simpler can one sum up their relationship with the Father !! All He really WANTS – is for us to WANT Him – to WANT to be faithful to Him – to WANT to obey Him – to WANT relationship with Him — How much simpler can it get !!! No greater LOVE has he than He who laid down His life for one such as me — I will forever thank my God – as my Lord – my Savior – my King – but most of all – for being MY FATHER !!

By: Valerie

Valerie — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:38:20 +0000

Thanks for sharing this Chip. I know this is right and true. Oh, for the grace for all of us to trust Him in this!

By: Sue

Sue — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:51:52 +0000

Hi Brother Chip, thanks for your sharing, and the words are comforting as I am kind of spiritually alone moving out from one church and going to settle down in another..

In a way I agree with your points of view that quiet time with God is more important than sitting around with brothers and sisters — most of the time we are talking about worldly stuff –However,going to church on Sundays sermon is still important to me cos they tell me what God want me to know, through someone He chooses. Church or fellowship is like a gas station refilling our exhaustion in soul

for people who are not so discipline (like me), their faith may be weakened when not properly nurtured.. but i cant stress more the importance of quiet time.

By: germaine Possi

germaine Possi — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:56:30 +0000

ALLELUIAH BROTHER ….I LIKE THIS …WOOOW I CAN LIVE WITHOUT FELLOWSHIP , BUT I CANT LIVE WITHOUT MY LORD…AMEN…I NEED MORE AND MORE OF YOU LORD …I DO NOT WANT TO BE LONGING FOR FELLOWSHIPPING..I WANT TO BE LONGING FOR YOU MY LORD !

By: Steve H

Steve H — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 23:00:46 +0000

I have always felt a little out of place in the church setting. I ma glad that Chip is talking about this subject. I never thought that suffering I would suffer for Christ may include the suffering from his people. I always that to suffer for Christ meant that some unbeliever will do something that I must endure. After 30 years in the church setting I am happy that I no longer go. I feel like it got in the way of my relationship with God and I am hoping to deepen that relationship no matter how hard it may get. Praise God, that he IS enough…

By: Scott D

Scott D — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 05:03:53 +0000

Thank you Chip for this site and helping me answer so many questions and draw me closer to Christ. I am starting your course on Embrace the Cross and feel it will really help me know even more. I have sent this to a good friend who left the Adventist Church and started a Home Church group. I can see through what I have learned here that even with good intention they still are keeping the Church on a worldly level and not taking it to the spirit. The times I have went I never really feel I learn much. It seems more like just hanging out than learnig or growing. This is why I know it will be a tru walk alone with Christ. No other way to really be touched. Going to these groups on occassion is fine I feel but if it is what someone depends on to get what they need in Christ I think they will be very dissappointed. Chip I’m not one to ever reply or post anywher but here the Holy Spirit is speaking to me and again I thank you and and consuming as much as you can put here on this site. Thanks Again.

By: Chip Brogden

Chip Brogden — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:17:02 +0000

Thanks for reading Scott, glad to have you. You’re right, if it were not for religion the world would gladly come to Jesus.