Trying to show true doctrine to JWs and X-JWs presents a challenge with church membership. As soon as they find out that you belong to a church, they assume that you illogically accept church beliefs that are unbiblical. A lot of Christian X-JWs let that keep them from ever becoming a member of a church. I let it hold me back for a while.
Finally I decided that I just want to be a Christian and get on with my life. I don't want to be identified to myself and others as an X-JW anymore, so to get over my fear of church membership I had
to just jump in. Now I have finished membership classes at church, and I
don't think I can do it... I get very nervous, afraid of being rejected
if I miss a couple of weeks in a row. I have missed a month now. (I
have an autoimmune disease and my daughter has been having chronic
digestion problems.) And I feel that when I go back I can't promise to
be a church member.
I am reading your blog because I saw a link in facebook.
ReplyDeleteI am sure your aware that you are the church and you do not need to attend every weekly service to be a good christian. I have been a regular attendee at my congregation for 15 years and have never seen the need to become a member of that "church". I believe church is a place for mainly fellowship as well as other things. I dont think they (if they are true christians) will have any objection if you dont become a member.
In Christ, Rob
Just one step at a time. Jesus does all things well and he is the one in whom we trust. Church is where I go to receive the forgiveness of sins and I learn there and I love those people and they love me. At church I feel like I am coming home, tasting something that I long for. Hearing God's Word is where I enter into His rest. That is a bit about how I think if it. But to say that someone isn't a true Christian based on how they think about membership theirs or anyone else's is not a right statement, Bob. Church is where we receive the forgiveness of sins and there we find life and salvation.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is like coming home and tasting something that I long for.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rob and Katy. I understand the different views of church membership. :)
I also know that my fears are mostly unfounded. I have gone back over and over again after missing for many weeks and I get the same warm welcome. <3