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In Christian and Catholic environment setting throughout history, we can find numerous information on Theology Studies, Dogma, Doctrine, Movement, and Denomination. Some of them are contradicting, convoluted, complex, not easy to understand, which I think they are designed that way to create a distance between the leadership in churches organisation and ordinary people.
Many leaders in churches organisation will maintain their views. That in order to have a personal relationship with God, we need to come to a place of worship, become a member, grow within the organisation. So long that these views below become common understanding:
* A building devoted to religious meetings is called “the church”
* Attending a religious meeting is called “going to church”
* Hearing a message or music during the religious meeting is called “having church”
* Becoming a member of the non-profit organisation which owns the building devoted to religious meetings is called “joining the church”
* Taking responsibility as the founder or being voted in as the director of the non-profit organisation which owns the building devoted to religious meetings is called “pastoring the church”
* Making additions to the building devoted to religious meetings or to the membership list of the non-profit organisation which owns the building is called “church growth”
Escape From Churchianity by Chip Brogden
These views have put our personal relationship with God into a small box. Now, if we look in the Bible, God started with family – Father and son. God called Adam His son (Luke 3). God concludes with family; He calls us His sons and daughters (Revelation 21). Even after He saved us from sin, He adopts us as His own children (Galatians 4).
These days most of believers think that their personal relationships are full of complex dos and don’ts, rules, and regulations. In order to be “right” with God, they need to do certain things, go to the extent. Many of them do not read bible, because they think the only one that can understand bible is the pastor or the priest. Some of them do not read bible because they are “going to church” on Sunday anyway. Meanwhile some of them do read bible, however they think the only valid voice need come from their pastor or priest. Lastly, many of them do not know where to find answers for their questions from the bible.
These kinds of personal relationships are very far away from a simple direct Parent and children relationship without intermediary. Together with this site, we hope that we can change our mindset when we approach God. Similarly as children do with their Parent.