When I get home, people 'll ask me, "Hey Hoot, why do ya do it man? Why? You some war junkie? Ya know what I'll say? I won't say a goddamn word. Why? They won't understand. They won't understand why we do it. They won't understand that it's about the men next to you, that's it. That's all it is.
MSG Norm "Hoot" Hooten
He had it right, in combat the most important thing is the men next to you. Anyone who has served knows this to be true. But what about common everyday people? What about those who have not known the fellowship of a military unit? Well, relax, there's still hope. Years ago, I stepped out of the mainstream church for the final time. I have never gone back. Yet I have often thought of returning if just for the fellowship of fellow believers. For me, attending a church service now and then simply to keep in touch with a few friends does not seem as if I am compromising my standards. In fact, despite my writings critical of the modern church, I would suggest to anyone new to the faith that attending a local church is a good beginning in your search for knowing the Lord. However, I will caution you that some of what you read in the scriptures you will not hear preached from the pulpits of many churches these days. But for the case of the topic of fellowship, I feel as if the church is a good place for those seeking to commune with those of the faith. Do I feel that someone should remain in the church to absorb the teachings? Absolutely not. As the late Kenny Rogers once said, "You got to know when to hold'em and know when to fold'em." Whether in poker or the mainstream church, one must know when it's time to cut and run. There's no doubt that the institutional church has seen a mass exodus of attendees over the years. Yet there continue to be those who, seeking to know the Lord, flock to the only logical place to do just that, the church. I have no issue with someone seeking to know the Lord seeking out a good church to attend. However, I do have an issue with a church which continues to mislead people on the truth of a loving Father. As I said, when it comes to the issue of fellowship, I'm all for it.
Now all those who believe were also in the same place and had all things in common. And they disposed of the acquisitions and the properties, and divided them to all, forasmuch as some would have had need. Besides persevering day by day with one accord in the sanctuary, besides breaking bread home by home, they partook of nourishment with exultation and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor for the whole people. Now the Lord added to those being saved day by day in the same place.
Acts Of The Apostles 2: 44-47, Concordant New Testament
One of my favorite passages of scripture is the description of the early church of believers in Jesus we find in Acts 2. Here, we see a group of like minded believers breaking bread and worshipping together. A people sharing what they had with those in need. When I think about it, these used to be some of the core values of a few of the churches I have known. The last church I attended made use of a ministry which distributed food and clothing to those in need in the community. Sadly, that was replaced with praise and worship bands and flashy surroundings. More than a few churches make the mistake of thinking that better looking buildings will fill the pews on Sunday. Unfortunately for them, this isn't the case at all. I didn't chose the last church I attended simply because it looked nice. No, I chose it because of the recommendation of a friend that the Lord was preached. This was something I had been looking for. I would say that many who are seeking churches these days are doing so for similar reasons. To know the Lord and for fellowship with those who are seeking the same thing. I would definitely refer someone to a local church as a starting point in their journey. But I would also caution them that they will not find what they're looking for in the modern church. They will find fellowship, which is something we all need.
~Scott~
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