I am laughing internally as I think about this term. I have heard several people say they don’t like organized religion, but I have seen a lot of disorganization in my denominational circles and churches. I have seen more last-minute, slapped-together junk that’s an insult to Jesus than I have seen in a lot of other places.
Now back to this idea of church being organized religion. Just because they have a designated place, time, and protocol does not make it organized. In many places, it’s organized chaos. Business meetings, sloppy worship services, unprepared Bible study leaders, and the list goes on. It’s not as organized as one would think.
Now some specific thoughts on this term religion. Many religions exist, but Christianity is the only one I know where you can have a personal relationship rather than religious practice. Sin separated us from God, but Jesus bridged the great divide.
If you’re looking for something that will change your life forever and bring you peace and joy, only a relationship with Jesus Christ can do that. Organized religion will leave you empty. Ask Jesus to forgive you and make Him the Lord of your life. That trumps any “organized” religion.
Matthew Winters (Honest Thoughts from a Pastor) 
Ha! This made me laugh. Organized religion? Where? Isn’t that an oxymoron? I jest, we aren’t all that bad. 😉
I could not help but point out that we are not as organized as we proclaim. I would like to see us more united.
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
I suppose that I do believe in organized religion if that means that I am in a body of believers that meet regularly and are governed by the Word of God and led my elders who are also accountable to the congregation in which they serve. Our church has a constitution governing our congregation and rely on the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith. Church is not new. It has been functioning since the book of Acts after Christ’s ascension and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. So perhaps, I am not exactly clear in what is meant by “organized religion”.
“Organized religion” is often an excuse people use to stay out of a church. Christianity is organized in that God is not the author of chaos. My issue is that it is more a relationship with Christ than a man made religion.
Yes, and in order to have a relationship with Christ or demonstrate our love to him he said we must keep his commandments and one is to maintain fellowship with the saints of God (church). Hebrews 10:25 and Hebrews 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end. We just discussed this yesterday in a Q & A in our Sunday School yesterday. Many don’t believe they don’t need to be in membership because they don’t want to be accountable. But God called us to be in the body as we minister to one another, as we exercise our gifts within the body.
Extremely valid points! I want healthy, Biblically-founded discussion on here. You have given sound biblical support. Thank you!
I am enjoying the discussion also. Thanks for posting!
Reblogged this on Real About Life and commented:
If you think you are standing be sure to check
Great post….
Relationship with Christ…. is the key!
There are valid points on both sides of this “organized religion”. My only problem is that I have a relationship with Christ and when I think of the term “organized religion” I see man trying to put faith in a box. Chaos does come even in the most “organized” institutions. None are exempt. When you are led by the Holy Spirit, you will find your church home. Also, fellowship with other believers does not mean you only fellowship with those of your church. We are the body of believers, encompassing geographic areas all over the world. I believe that a church home should be like our home, a place we go to be safe, be encouraged, be lifted up, etc. So that when we go out in the world, we are prepared to bring the Gospel of peace. Many New Testament believers met in homes in the book of Acts until they did bring some formal organization. Just ask the Apostle Paul who went about establishing churches. The key here is understanding of the place you are in and waiting on the Lord to move you forward.