Churchianity Creating Spiritual Islands

"Churchianity" is a term coined by Brother D of the Christian Apostasy blog. It describes the sad state of institutionalized Christianity in this day and age, as well as points the finger at the so-called "religious leaders" who are leading their flocks astray at the most critical and urgent time in all of human history.

Wes from Kingdom Studies wrote a brilliant commentary last week titled "My Rant", which catalogs his frustrations with the Church and its leadership.

It is such an accurate and emotional column that I wanted to reference it here for all of you to read. For me, it struck a chord on so many levels as Wes definitely captured and expressed the same feelings I'm dealing with regarding my own church.

Look, no one's perfect and I'm not saying "I'm too good for church" or that I don't recognize the benefit and value of fellowshipping with a congregation in a church setting. What I am saying is that too many people -- so-called Christians and those that lead them in worship -- just don't seem to get it.

Maybe it's just me, but if I was given the role of leading a worship service I would begin by asking everyone to humble themselves before God, repent of their sins, and seek His face with a genuine and heartfelt interest. I would then spend the rest of the time speaking to all that were in attendance about how end times prophecy is being fulfilled all around us, and that the fulfillment of some of the major prophecies were imminent. I would then wrap up by trying to help everyone prepare spiritually for the battles to come. I don't know why, but lately all I crave are the sermons -- the message and truth of God's Word -- not the ritualistic, repeat-after-me, I-say-this-then-you-say-that type of service. Again, not saying that it doesn't have it's place and that it's not important, but at this late hour there's gotta be more! We can do so much better, can't we?

Why does church feel like High School? What I mean by that is why is it that far too many people within the church stick to their own cliques, sit in the same rows of the pews week after week, and barely make eye contact with you let alone smile or nod their head even if you make the first move? Am I being too harsh? Too demanding? I always thought that Christians were supposed to be a peculiar people, a different breed of humanity serving as the salt and light in this world not just to the lost and unsaved souls, but to each other.

I remember when I was first saved back in late 2003 it was only a mere month into my new life in Jesus that I spent an entire week creating something like 5 or 6 100+ page 3-ring binders jam-packed with as much information as I could get my hands on regarding Bible prophecy. I was on fire and so very passionate about our Lord and His unfolding plan for the world that I wanted to share it with anyone who would listen to me. Those 5 or 6 binders were made with specific people in mind who I knew were interesting in studying such things. So, I finished them within a week, called up those people to tell them about it, and asked if they wanted to join a home-based Bible Study Group that would focus solely on the end times. They all said yes and the Look Up Fellowship was born! That's where I came up with the name for this online community.

The meetings were once a week at first and they lasted for 1, 2, sometimes 3 hours at a time! It was great to share my passion with like-minded believers as we applied the iron sharpens iron mantra. However, as is always the case it seems, life got in the way and it forced each of us one-by-one to pull back and withdraw. Soon, the weekly meetings became bi-weekly to once a month and then to none at all. What a shame.

My point with all of this is that Wes is absolutely right when he writes that: "People are hungry for God. They are hungry for the truth of the gospel. They are fed up with 'institutional church', and the 'gimme gimme' attitude of today’s so called leaders."

Perhaps it's time to consider starting a local Bible Study Group that can get together on a regular basis here in Buffalo, NY. We'll have to see what the Lord has to say about that. In the meantime, I'll continue to rely on the fellowship that He's established between me and the rest of you here in this forum. Aside from Him, you're my lifeline and you all provide me with a much-needed outlet when no one else who's close to me gets any of this (my desire, interest, love, passion, etc.), or even allows me to express myself when I'm bursting at the seems with a new discovery.

Wes, if you're reading this I want to say keep up the great work on your site and know that I've also enjoyed our email exchanges and IM chats to date. I have a feeling we'd be pretty good friends if we lived closer to one another.

Who am I kidding? Boy, I could probably say that about dozens of you who have been so generous and kind with your words of encouragement and support not to mention your confirmation that what I'm "seeing" is not that far-fetched (ok, maybe sometimes it is! HA). Thank you to all of you. You have no idea what this community means to me as we fellowship together with one another on a regular basis always contemplating and seeking our Lord Jesus Christ's return.