First let me qualify my handle. My words are not pure but according to Psalms the Words of the Lord are. This is really a basis for my Christian life and I think leads right along with your topic.

Too much of Christianity or better named Churchianity or Relionanity is based upon man's traditionalism, legalism, formalism and personal interpretation and misrepresentation of the scripture. As a whole, the church is not working and effective, or should I say working as it should. I believe that will change because Jesus is coming back for a spotless, victorious and glorious church.

I went to the super market last Sunday and the man in line in front of me was in a suit. It was not much past noon so I assumed that he had just come from church. He had a horrid look of depression on his face and I thought that if he were coming from church and anyone knew that, they certainly would not want what he had. Of course I didn't know his situation. He may have just come from a funeral. The point is, much of Christianity is just that way. For most part, people from the outside looking in wouldn't want what we have. For we having really nothing more to offer than what they already have. But the opposite should be true. We do have more to offer. Our lives need to reflect the joy of the Lord. We need to reflect peace and joy regardless of the trials we face. If we truly believe that the Lord is in control of our lives and He has the victorious answer to every problem we face then we can live in joy.

What a sad reflection on the church which has to have designated "greeters" to try to make members and visitors feel welcome. It rings a sense of fakeness. From there one goes to the seat or pew and listens to some announcements, sings 3 hymns (1st, 2nd & 4th stanzas only), has the plate passed in front of them, listens to a 20 minute sermon which was rehearsed from a list of effective sermons received over the internet, hears the benediction and gets out by 12:00 sharp. That person has done their good deed for the week which they feel pleases God.

Where do we find precedent for that in God's Word. We don't. And we wonder why the church is ineffective!

The church needs to get back to the pure Word of God and use it and it alone as our model then we will see God's Spirit move like we never have before.