Have you ever discovered that something you believed most of your life was wrong? Perhaps it wasn’t entirely wrong, but it wasn’t quite right either. Most of us grow up accepting beliefs and practices taught by people we trust, seldom questioning the assumptions behind them. But what happens when we discover evidence that challenges those beliefs? Are we willing to change?

Growing up in a Christian family we “went to church” every Sunday, Sunday night and Wednesday night.  The unstated but real truth was “church”  was conducted at the “church building” on these designated times.  Church services must have songs, prayers, the Lord’s Supper, and certainly a preacher who delivered a message.   In our fellowship the “method of worship” (liturgy to some) began so standardized that  “three songs and a prayer” were expected. 

The Bible classes were strictly segregated from the “formal worship” service. There women could speak their views.  The Lord’s Supper was a  very silent affair where you reviewed all of your sins of the past week.  It would have been unthinkable to have a meal with the Lord’s “Supper”. In our small country congregation growing up, there some discussion when we adopted the individual communion cups instead of two “snuff glasses” (look it up)) The ”communion” table was always at the front with a white coat covering it.

The Holy Spirit spoke only through the scriptures.  I don’t ever recall anything about Christians having been given spiritual gifts to do works of service.  Any gifts, you see, stopped when we had the bible and/or all of the apostles who had those gifts died out.

There is much more, but later. What did a lifetime of searching find?

To my surprise church is a term designating “those Christ added to his body of the saved.”  He is present wherever two of three Christians are gathered together..  The saved were called people of “The Way” all through the book of Acts.  This described their way of living and their hope based on the Christ being the Son of God and his resurrection.  Congregations were typically addressed in letters by designating their location not their doctrinal stance..

Worship “in Spirit and in Truth” had little to do with going to a “worship service”.  Rather  the way you live your life emulating Christ IS your spiritual worship.  And as far as “three songs and a prayer”,   search though I might, there is no set liturgy or set “acts of worship” found anywhere in the new Testament.

As far as that building with its staff, organization, located senior minister or “pastor”, and budget is concerned,  somehow I can’t find that described either.  Instead, I find Christians meeting from house to house, sharing meals and observing the Lord’s Supper as part of a meal.  

As I read the New Testament, I found more than  18 spiritual gifts listed. It seems elders,  teachers, apostles, evangelists, and prophets were to equip members to use them for works of service so that we can all become mature to the glory of Christ.

Why did Christianity grow from about 10,000-30,000 in the first century to 6-7 Million by 312 C.E.  Why is the church shrinking in the United States?  Have we been depending on the wrong paradigm?  With evidence in front of us, why do we keep doing the same thing?

Religious beliefs are hard to change in spite of evidence  What belief and practice do you need to change.