"Letter to the Editor"

This Letter to the Editor is in the April 2006 Next-Wave E-Zine. It hits the heart of what I have been personally stuggling with in the last few weeks. Still burdened by the expectations around me that I will return to church, and yet knowing in my heart that it's not that I lack "church attendance" but that my definition of church has changed dramtically. This letter sums it up well.

These are just the highlights that jumped out at me, if you're interested, go read the rest of the letter over at Next-Wave.

"Dear Next-Wave, Many sources discuss the issue of "church planting", and even though Christians are believers in Jesus Christ, and hopefully followers also, I have a different perspective on the idea of "church".After a lifetime of attending various churches, and including a house church for a couple of years, I have come to the conclusion that the real purpose for which our Creator created us humans beings is to simply live and walk in love, mercy, justice, humility, and the fruit of the Holy Spirit. I think the institutional church mentality is something that human beings have invented as a lack of understanding relationship with Jesus Christ. The nature of Almighty God is not about "clergy/laity" in churchianity, or even about "house church plants", it is about living life 24/7. Fellowship is the natural consequence of life and living, yet Christians have the idea that what makes them Christians, is to have a meeting. It is not organization that makes anyone a follower of Jesus Christ. There is no pattern to New Testament Christianity."
...

"The Christian world has misunderstood and misconstrued the meaning of life, by equating being Christian to organization and institutions. The real Christian life is being attached to the VINE, which is Jesus Christ, and we all are the branches. Jesus Christ ALONE is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and also the Living Waters. THERE ARE NO SUBSTITUTES! Churchianity has made a god out of religion."
...

"And lastly, I will say, that in the Old Testament system, only the Highpriest was allowed entry into the Holy of Holies. But when Jesus Christ died on the cross, entry into the Holy of Holies was made available to all human beings who become Sons of God.Therefore living in the Holy Presence of Almighty God, requires no human priest. God is our ALL SUFFICIENCY, and it is nothing more than a lack of faith, that Christians live on crutches all their lives by depending on "pastors" to do their thinking, tell them what to believe, tell them what is "truth", and confuse people endlessly with never ending divisions, confusion, denominations, and false teachings. The true goal of life is Jesus Christ, and that encompasses His nature, His character, and His Being. The goal of life is not "church". "

"Cordially, Van Robison Burnside, Kentucky, Sunday March 26 2006"