by Milton Johanides

Created on: June 24, 2009   Last Updated: June 27, 2009

I would like to add my voice to this title by stating categorically that spiritual Christian development, in others words a close relationship with Christ , is not monopolised by church buildings. Although I was brought to Christ by a minister and my initial walk with Christ revolved around a traditional Presbyterian Church service every Sunday (for around 15 years) I now no longer feel the need to attend an organised meeting within "sancitifed walls" every week. I think mature Christians soon realise that church has its failings and very quickly tire of the internal politics that malign all ecclesiastical organisations.

I agree with those who argue that the moment you have committed yourself to Jesus, through the prayer of repentence (Acts 2. 38), you have become a member of the body of Christ, which is His Church. As Jesus spoke of spiritual things, it is fair to assume that His church too is a spiritual church. With His arrival comes a new covenant, written in the heart not written in stone, which means you can carry it around with you everywhere. This is the message of love and tolerance, so often neglected by those more interested in ritualised worship.

Having said that, it is also necessary to add that fellowship, the gathering of Christians together in one place, be it two or two thousand, is also an important form of encouragement. Without fellowship we become cold, like a piece of coal removed from the fire. It seems the law of God in our hearts needs to be fanned like a flame and the best way to do this is through the mutual regard of fellow Christians. We must keep an eye on each other to make sure we don't stray from the path or begin to lose hope. But this does not need to happen within the bounds of church walls. If you have a thriving, successful, spirit abundant church, t hen great, you are lucky and you should stick with it. However if you do not have access to such an asset, then meet in homes, in restaurants, park benches, anywhere in fact where you can sit and pray together.

The message of Jesus is above all the message of Christian charity, to give more than you receive. This is the only way to top up your spiritual blessings which are the true fruit of your faith. Love, kindness, gentleness, forgiveness, etc, these are the tenets of faith and the risk of church attendance is that they only operate on a Sunday morning. One advantageof a church without walls is that there is no artificial divide between your church life and your secular life. It is all one. Therefore you behave the same way, a good Christian, in all environments. You are also more likely to convert non-believers and gather lost sheep, if you are "out there" rather than "locked in". Let us not forget, also, that we all get to a certain age, or stage of infirmity, when physically getting ourselves to church becomes an impossiblity. The Church of Christ should be available to all, especially those who are weak or immobilised. Let's take our faith out of the pews and into the streets, to help those who need help the most.

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