What about Churches?

If this is your experience -- that churches are just awful -- you are, unfortunately, not alone but part of an ever growing crowd. Truly, there are many who find that their church is a great aid to their  Christian faith, rather  than a hindrance. But it is more than common to have the opposite experience. 

So, what then?

What should individual Christians do, if the churches they can find are seemingly more hindrance than help? Why even bother? Why not just watch a bit online and then have your own devotions, without  being disturbed by the discomforts and difficulties actual attendance brings?

The answer is simple. 

Christians have been instructed by Christ, and by his Apostles to continue in our participation. I know it can be hard: I, myself, attended for nearly 30 years almost solely because we are told to do so: 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. Hebrews 10:25-26

But, that doesn't mean you have to masochistically embrace every foolish or useless thing your particular congregation does: there are bits that matter, and bits that don't. But you have to learn the difference, so you can ignore the wrong bits and embrace the right ones.

So what is the Church of Christ?

Theologians have, for a long time, defined the Church of Christ as being made up of two parts,