Robin Phillips explains that loving Jesus without his church might not be all it's cracked up to be. John Denver song, "Blow up your TV" is about finding Jesus "On your own."
In George MacDonald's novel Robert Falconer, there is a bit of dialog which highlights the folly of today's conundrum regarding "spiritual, not religious" ideas. The segment is taken from Chapter 8 "My Own Acquaintance." ‘We are a church, if you like. There!’ ‘Who is your clergyman?’ ‘Nobody.’ ‘Where do you meet?’ ‘Nowhere.’ ‘What are your rules, then?’ ‘We have none.’ ‘What makes you a church?’ ‘Divine Service.’ ‘What do you mean by that?’ ‘The sort of thing you have seen to-night.’ ‘What is your creed?’ ‘Christ Jesus.’ ‘But what do you believe about him?’ ‘What we can. We count any belief in him—the smallest—better than any belief about him—the greatest—or about anything else besides. But we exclude no one.’ ‘How do you manage without?’ ‘By admitting no one.’ ‘I cannot understand you.’ ‘Well, then: we are an undefined company of people, who have grown into human relations with each other naturally, through one attractive force—love for human beings, regarding them as human beings only in virtue of the divine in them.’ ‘But you must have some rules,’ I insisted. ‘None whatever. They would cause us only trouble. ...'"
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I totally agree with the point made here that individual Christians need to be plugged into the body and follow Christ, the head.
I think you may be misunderstanding the proliferation of the term "Christ Follower" though. It is not an effort to avoid the world's negative view of organized religion, but to differentiate from nominal Christianity. Because Americans tend to view "Christians" as people who go to church, have said the sinner's prayer, been baptized or some similar meaningless measure, it is important to differentiate that you have a relationship with Jesus. It is not to denigrate going to church, saying the sinner's prayer, or being baptized. Those I know who identify as Christ Followers are active in church (and the global church community), have experienced repentance, been baptized, and follow the Christian tradition.
Your assertion that "every Christian is a follower of Christ," is obvious in the view of a genuine believer. Sadly though, it is not obvious to many of the church goers in this country - especially those who are younger.
Rebranding our faith is not an effort to distance ourselves from evangelicals in America, but to clearly communicate that who we are in Christ is what is important.
Posted By: Colin P on April 01, 2012 1:09 PM
church
Thank you for your thoughts ,but I believe you have missed the main point...if some people no longer want to visit a build on Sunday..this does not mean they have left the church...the church is the people...as you know..You may not like how they organize their church but that doesn't mean it isn't a group of people who are following Christ.
Posted By: jeju on March 28, 2012 8:21 PM
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I think you may be misunderstanding the proliferation of the term "Christ Follower" though. It is not an effort to avoid the world's negative view of organized religion, but to differentiate from nominal Christianity. Because Americans tend to view "Christians" as people who go to church, have said the sinner's prayer, been baptized or some similar meaningless measure, it is important to differentiate that you have a relationship with Jesus. It is not to denigrate going to church, saying the sinner's prayer, or being baptized. Those I know who identify as Christ Followers are active in church (and the global church community), have experienced repentance, been baptized, and follow the Christian tradition.
Your assertion that "every Christian is a follower of Christ," is obvious in the view of a genuine believer. Sadly though, it is not obvious to many of the church goers in this country - especially those who are younger.
Rebranding our faith is not an effort to distance ourselves from evangelicals in America, but to clearly communicate that who we are in Christ is what is important.