Welcome to the site for Chesterfield Christian Center (CCC). We are a church in the Biblical definition of a church, but we are probably more of an "unchurch" for those who have a modern image of church. We are a group of believers in Jesus living in the Richmond / Tri-Cities (Virginia) area, who have decided to travel together through the trials of life without the trappings of modern church.
Do you feel like dropping out?
Should I go to Church?
Church for those who don't fit in Church
Every Sunday morning, week in and week out, year in and year out, believers all over the world trudge off to church services. Whether it is a Methodist, Baptist, Seeker Driven, Catholic, or Pentecostal service, the same basic thing happens every single Sunday morning in every place. There is singing, there are announcements, there is an offering, a sermon, and perhaps an “alter call.” This pattern has remained unaltered for 1700 years now.
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The question is often asked and the simple answer is that you shouldn’t. The problem lies in our definition of “church.” Almost everyone in America has one of three (3) views of what church is. Many people think of church as a building or facility. They therefore use the phrase “go to church” in the context of going to a place. Many others think of church as something that we do.
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There is a growing trend in the American church. A trend that church leaders and pastors are working feverishly to try and stop, but a trend that is continuing all the same.Studies show that over one (1) million adults are leaving the "traditional" church every year.
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A Gathering Force
Is there any logic in believing that God started His Church as a Spirit-filled, loving body with the intention that it would evolve into entertaining, hour-long services? Was he hoping that one day people would be attracted to the Church not because they care for one another, not because they are devoted to Him, not because the supernatural occurs in their midst, but because of good music and entertainment? Try to imagine what conclusions you would come to if you had no prior church experience. The things in church services might make sense to the American church-attendee, but they don't make sense biblically.
For great online sermons, books,
and Bible teaching go to:
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Do you want to learn how to get free from the sin and bondage of living in the Babylonian system? Go to www.InsighttoFreedom.org
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Modern Youth Ministry is "un-Biblical"
Scott T. Brown of the National Center for Family-Integrated Churches claims that the "philosophy and practice of comprehensive, age-segregated, programmatic youth ministry" is "contrary to the ministry patterns of Christ."
Addressing Christian leaders and families at a conference on the Sufficiency of Scripture on Friday, Brown, director of the National Center for Family-Integrated Churches, asserted that the "philosophy and practice of comprehensive, age-segregated, programmatic youth ministry" is "contrary to the ministry patterns of Christ."
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What is the Mark of a Good Church?
First of all, it should be a local church organized according to Scripture. The best place that I know to go is to the Word of God and see how the church was organized on the Day of Pentecost. They didn't have a meeting in which they elected officers at that time. They did later on, of course. But these officers were appointed. I've never been quite sure that our method of electing officers is the proper one. But be that as it may, at the very beginning of the church on the Day of Pentecost it says that the mark of a good church is that "they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42).
Those were the four marks of the early church. These marks are not academic, they are not philosophical, and they are not really theological. They are the four different things that characterize the group of people who heard Simon Peter on the Day of Pentecost and were converted. We are told that these people continued together "daily with one accord" (Acts 2:46). They didn't have a meeting place – they met in the temple. Now that, of course, would cause a great many Christians today to lift their eyebrows. Years ago we had a Founder's Day banquet down in San Diego, and we met in a Masonic Temple. It's just an auditorium that's rented out and used by all kinds of groups. But we were criticized so for it! I thought at the time, "This crowd that found fault with us having a banquet here, what would they have done on the Day of Pentecost going up to the temple in Jerusalem?" But that's where they met, and we are told that "the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47).
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In his book, "The Church Has Left the Bible" Pastor Tom examines the modern church and Christian religion, and discusses how far they have strayed from the scriptures and the life giving ways of Jesus.
Acts 2 - American Style
In the Bible we are told that at the beginning of the church: ...they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. And everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together, and had all things in common;and they {began} selling their property and possessions, and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. - Acts 2:42-47 (NASB)
ReadmoreFamily Matters
I was asked at one point last week, "Are you bored with church?" The definition of "church" in most cases would consist of worship, sermons, programs, etc. By that definition, people may come up with a justifiable reason to say "yes, I am bored with church." The answer I provided for this question, without a bat of an eye, was "no." This took me aback after I said it, because I responded so quickly.
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