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ASK THE DOCTOR
Q
& A
Question:
What do I say when someone says, "I don't have to go to church
to be Christian?"
You
may want to respond in one of the following ways:
1.
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Ask
for clarification. The person may mean accepting Christ is
not dependent upon church attendance. What she may mean is,
"I can become a believer apart from worship attendance."
We would agree.
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2.
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"So
you feel church attendance is optional behavior for a Christian?
In other words, you are free not to worship in a local church?"
This question probes for American's appeal to personal freedom
"to do what I please."
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3.
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"I
sense you do not feel the need to fellowship with other Christians.
Does that reflect your point of view?" You are helping
the other person identify individualism, "I do not need
anyone else. It's just Jesus and me." |
If either of these last two positions are held, you may respond
with:
1.
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Christians
worship together because they need the teaching of the Bible,
mutual encouragement and united effort to accomplish good
in our world.
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2.
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Christians
go to church because that is what Christians do. Part of our
identity as the people of God includes getting together. God
made us that way.
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3.
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Jesus
started the Church for our benefit. To neglect the Church,
the Bride of Christ, is to despise what Jesus loves.
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4.
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Few,
if any, people remain faithful to God without the inspiration
and instruction received from worshiping together. Even Jesus,
who was God, habitually attended worship service. If God worships
with others, how much more should we. |
--Dr.
Lyle Pointer, pastor and Professor of Evangelism at Nazarene Theological
Seminary, will answer your questions about personal and local
church evangelism. Questions and answers will be posted on the
website and One-on-One. Send your questions to
evangelism@nazarene.org.
Click
here to access previous questions
from Dr. Pointer.
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