Church Defined

So I'm just going to put this out here, because it is something that I've struggled with for years and I finally got my answer. The answer came through discernment -- the ability to judge well or (in Christian contexts) perception in the absence of judgment with a view to obtaining spiritual guidance and understanding. My answer came through the second definition. I have been very prayerful about my understanding of what my obligation is with regarding to church attendance as a Christian. I've attended in a building structure up until about 4 years ago and then it became a combination of being a floater between a community church(es) I was attending (that wasn't/weren't fulfilling my spiritual growth) and online (through Harvest Christian Fellowship, which has been consistent in fulfilling my spiritual growth). During Covid I used both online platforms from Our Father's House and Harvest Christian Fellowship. 

Then my life changed drastically after 24 years of marriage and I searched for fulfillment and found a wonderful way to fulfill my retired life outside of my children -- they needed to be independent and so did I. So I now live in two places, mostly now in the Bay Area where I have found a platonic relationship/caregiving companion. We met during a time when we both needed companionship and our beautiful relationship transpired. It's always my desire that even through I have companionship, my number one priority in my life is my commitment to God. So in order to meet that need, I've been going to church online. About a year ago, I visited a local community church and like everything new, it seemed like the perfect placement for me, however after several months, it didn't support all my belief standards and there were some views there that were a bit extreme and outside my comfort level. I could tell my enthusiastic way of providing service for our Pastor upon her asking was not as welcomed by several members who had been attending the church for years and told me there was a structure they had developed and didn't want changes being made outside of them -- even though the Pastor was directing me to do it a certain way. Let's just say, I felt like I was stepping on toes and all I wanted to do was serve God. Then a little over a month ago, I started attending another very small church at the community center and again I attended there and felt there was a purpose for me there -- but, the last couple times again, there was the disconnect and that stirring discernment of discomfort inside of me. So, I've been praying and I got my answer. 

Transparency and accountability is huge for me. After I had made a decision that the second church is not where God wants me to plant myself, I spoke to my companion and told him that I think I'm content with the way I've been doing church through Harvest. I wake up and go to sleep with devotion. I've joined the online Discipleship Application where I have met and get to share amazing Bible Study with. Today I learned there are 15,000 members who utilize the Discipleship Application alone. All day, I hear notifications go off on my media platforms and I am encouraged all day long by numerous Christians who I am able to interact with. Then on top of that. I attend the weekly online church services, I am able to participate virtually for any event that is sponsored by Harvest. Like Harvest Crusade, numerous interviews and podcasts. My brain gets so much food for thought and I feel fulfilled. So upon making this decision, I decided to continue my Harvest Partnership and increase my contribution. I will add that as a Harvest Partner there are perks -- you get wonderful and useful resources you can read and be inspired even further by other authors and such who have inspirational messages to share. I LOVE IT!!! My library is full because of these resources and read, I do!!! As the result of my increase I got a generated e-mail thanking me for my additional contribution -- it really feels very personal. On top of that without even asking as I have already seen the result of where my giving goes with Harvest, I was provided an annual report showing what Harvest Partnership contributions are being used for and who is benefiting from said contributions. I have never had anything bad to say about this church. It continues to feed me spiritually in every way possible.

I also had not taken into account that my companion had actually started joining me in watching Pastor Greg's sermons on line. So for the past few weeks, I had been robbing him of joining me to watch him. He was actually enjoying the services. I was watching the 8:00AM service in order to attend a 10:00am community church service. Whereas before, I would attend the 11:00AM service that my companion could join me in watching. He actually sat through the Harvest Crusade with me as well this past summer. So my decision is made, since my companion is unable to comfortably attend church in person and I have not found a church with a building to fulfill my needs, I'm sticking to my original church that has fulfilled me spiritually since 1977 -- since my boyfriend in my senior year introduced me to at that time -- Riverside Calvary Chapel.

So do I think it is important to attend a church with four walls and a live congregation? -- yes, I do.  I attended for years and loved it. However, because of the season I am now in my life, I am content with attending a church where the four walls are the universe. Not only is my companion able to receive the blessing by this means, but I am able to assure that my companion is not left alone for two hours while I search or attend elsewhere. Also, I do not risk bringing home an illness that can be detrimental to both our health (which is always in the back of my mind when I go into public places these days).

One thing that I recognize is that going to church will not get me into the gates of heaven and I've never thought it could. My relationship with the Godhead is key and that is where my hope is in this life. I go to church for worship and instruction to keep myself growing spiritually. It is too easy to become complacent in the world and become that lukewarm Christian that is about to be spit out. I was that for too long.

1 Corinthians 11:27 -- "You are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of it."

Ephesians 2:19-22 -- "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."

Hebrews 10:24-25: "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Matthew 18:20 --  "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."