Addictive Effects of Institutional Church: A Discussion

Simple Church is a social networking site to connect with people exploring simple expressions of church. I’ve been following a forum discussion “Detoxing from the Addictive Effects of Institutional Church” started by Erin Wilson. She poses the question: “How do you find yourself detoxing from the addictive effects of institutional church? Now that you are out, or on your way, are you noticing how addicted you are/were to church/programs/structure? How are you releasing those behaviors?”

Let’s hear from you. How would you answer that question?

I post. You decide.

Find Yourself Needing to “Detox” from Church?

Ever feel a need to “detox” from church? Perhaps your experience with the church is like Gary at “Beyond Black and White”. In a short post,”Detoxing from Church“, he shares about his search for a “suitable” church. Do you identify with Gary? Read his post and share your comment with us here and at the end of Gary’s post.

I post. You decide.

“Detoxing” from Traditional Church

Peter over at “The Kings Presence” posts about his journey of “detoxing” from the Traditional Church, and seems to be a promoting “organic” churches. Two resources to learn more about organic churches are given at the end of his post.

So, tell us what you know (or think) about the “organic” church.

I post. You decide.

A Collapse of American Evangelical Christianity as We Know It?

Russ Crawford, a fellow Jesus follower , coffee drinker, and “1st Gufru” with Gospel Organic in my hometown, shared an article from Michael Spencer in Kentucky titled “The Coming Evangelical Collapse“.  Please read it slowly. Don’t rush through this one. Consider its implications and message and then share your comments below the post.

I post. You decide.

Michael Spencer is a writer and communicator living and working in a Christian community in Kentucky. He describes himself as “a postevangelical reformation Christian in search of a Jesus-shaped spirituality.” This essay is adapted from a series on his blog, InternetMonk.com.

“Church Addiction”: A Hot Topic

I’m finding a growing amount of stuff on the Net related to being “addicted” to the church. Some good. Some simply weird. This resource falls somewhere in between.

Buff Scott, Jr. (columnist-Reformer) sends out a weekly Reformation Ramblings.  I’m posting a link to two of his writings: Church Addiction is Not the Answer and To Which Church is Jesus Aligned?

I’m not for or against Mr. Scott’s understanding of the church. I’m posting a link to his writing because it should cause us to consider, study, and discuss Christ’s Church.  As always, my purpose here is not to condone nor condemn what people have written.

I post. You Decide.

Any comments on this one?

More Church “Addicts” Than I Realized

Here we go again. The number of people who consider themselves to be “addicted” to the church is growing daily!

Jim Frye over at “Jesus the Radical Pastor” has a great entry titled “A Thought-Provoker: Addicted to “Church”?“.  Jim references Jason Zahariades’ and Rob McAlpine’s writings with the same title, “Detoxing the Church”.  I think you’ll find Jason and Jim’s reflections about the modern American “church” insightful.

I post. You decide.

Let me know what you think.

“Detoxing” From the Church?

A blog post came my way by Bill Lollar from his blog site.  The post is entitled “Addicted to Church? Detox Can Be Painful.”  I think it’s worthy of reading.

Bill was a church planting missionary with one of the largest Protestant denominations in the U.S.  He shares some of his experience with the denomination and the church during his time as a missionary.  This post is both intriguing and challenging. Read, think, and pray through this one.

I post. You decide.

Let’s get the discussion going.  Share your comments with others after the read.

Is The Church an Addictive Organization?

I crossed paths with a thought provoking article by Anne Wilson Schaef, a consultant on addiction problems with Wilson-Schaef Associates in Boulder, CO.  She addresses possible addictive behaviors in the church.

Read the article here.

I post. You decide.

Coming Clean

I have a confession: I am Mark, a recovering church addict.

“What is a church addict?” you ask. It means I was compulsively committed to getting my “fix” in the church by performing religious ritual and rhetoric to gain spirituality, security, and significance.

For most of 31 years, I had a very dysfunctional relationship with God and the Church. I used God and church people for selfish gain. I took much from them, and gave back very little. I was “hooked” on the need for roles, respect, and recognition in religious systems and institutions that were not fulfilling the real mission. These religious systems and institutions  were often devoid of grace and gospel transformation, and emphasized self-righteousness, performance, and information. I “worshiped” the theology, ideals, and activity of the church, not the Christ of the Church.

Today, I am content with being a redeemed man, blessed husband, and proud daddy.

I’ve chosen the blogosphere to chronicle my journey as a recovering church addict and restored Jesus follower.

I post. You decide.