Christianity Today

I've been a (on-off) Christian for over 30 years in England, but never been to a church! English Christianity can be elitist and 'cliquey' and frankly seems to be aimed at rather nice, genteel and suburban middle class people who seem to have it all together, and might look down their noses on a working class city boy like myself, who can be socially awkward and tongue-tied sometimes. What's the answer? We need to get back to the Gospel, to the message of the Bible, and understand why Jesus literally came down to earth; for our salvation, for a better life in the here and now, and to be reconciled to one another. Aren't Christians, all Christians, meant to be brothers and sisters in Jesus? If so, why are churches more like a social club, and elitist? This is why people are put off churches in England, and why I have yet to find a church myself, even though I try to serve the Lord with all my heart on a daily and on-going basis.

if you are interested in furthering this conversation Paul. I know that many people may be reading this and thinking, "Why does she even care? Their loss." However, this is kind of my thing. I'm all about helping. I'm all about look at the disparities and finding a solution. My heart is for Christ. I tend to want to protect everyone that I come across. I try to see the good in everyone. If someone is lacking or unfulfilled, I want to know how I can be instrumental in pouring into that individual/s. That's what we're here for right? That's why God called us right? That's why He chose us to further His kingdom right? So if I'm going to be truly instrumental in furthering God's kingdom, which includes helping others to understand, then i have to do stuff like this. Paul, I do hope that I have said something that both you and your wife really take into consideration what I said. I am praying for you. If anyone else needs to make use of that email address feel free to. Be Blessed!

to the rest of the responsibility. However, if we aren't interacting with the body, we are malfunctioning (Refer to Romans 12 & 1 Corinthians 12). I was just teaching this morning and telling the group that I was working with to think about how hard it is to compensate when you hurt one of your extremeties (twist your ankle, break a leg, arm, or finger, sprain a wrist, etc.), you have to find a way to compensate for what that extremity is unable to do. It's the same way in the body of Christ. From what you have said, I basically hear that there is something that is missing in the church that's often not thought of. There's potential for great ministry there. What if that unfulfilled need that you all see is a need that you can fulfill? What if that is a malfunctioning part of the body that you can be instrumental in correcting? I don't have a concrete solution for you & your wife, but I have many thoughts. You &/or your wife can feel free to email me (mk112887@msn.com) anytime (TBC)

What about those that also feel that there is a great disparity within the various churches? Maybe there is a niche for you and your in ministry based on that very thing. I would encourage you to find somewhere that you can fit in and use what you have been deprived of as a way to be able to minister to the needs of others. Does that make sense? I'm not attempting to shed a negative light on you, but I empathize with the situation that you and your wife have found yourselves in as it relates to the gathering of the saints. That's a hard situation and very upsetting. I urge you to find a place where you can receive more. No offense to any specific denominations, but I just believe that there are different places of worship because the individual needs are different. It is important to be somewhere that you can receive what you need. I also want to remind you that the church is not the physical building, it is the body of Christ. Every part of the body has a responsibility (TBC

@Paul Hubert: I both hear and understand the point that you are making. However, I would urge and your wife to continue to look for a place where you can find true fellowship with saints, with like-minded Christians. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." This scripture speaks to the responsibility that we have to one another by assembling. I would like to encourage you to research the term Koinonia (which refers to fellowship) and its importance in the scriptures. I understand that you have not yet been fulfilled in your search so you don't see a need of you going. What if the need for you to go is to contribute in the way that you feel you have been neglected. You and your wife don't have children. What about other couples that are very similar to you? (TBC)