I was asked by a pastor friend who lives in Florida, Do many believers avoid joining the church because they don’t want to be accountable to anyone?
My answer: That could be the case for many of them. Some have been disillusioned by church leaders and are now so critical that they prefer not to submit to any leader. That’s not good either. They fail to understand that, though not perfect, church leaders are God’s gifts to the church (Eph. 4:11-12). Refusing to submit to godly leadership is clearly disobeying Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24. However, I’d leave it to the Holy Spirit to convict them as they sit under the teaching of the Word. I don’t want them to join because of me so they won’t submit more to me than to the Lord. You and I might disillusion them again with our imperfections, especially if they’re hypersensitive folks. All we can do is pray for them, feed them the Word, and be the best Christian examples as we can. I’d never want such people to know that I like to listen to Doo-wop, Motown (dancing with my wife), Jazz, and play pool, etc. (“etc.” = nothing sinful). They would think I’m the devil in disguise . Romans 14 & 1 Corinthians 8 help me know how to enjoy my freedom. Critical unchurched folks, as well as many church members, need to grow up! They need to heed 1 Peter 2:2-3. Makes sense?” Oh! I might add what the Word says to those of us who consider ourselves mature and free, “Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil” (Romans 14:16).
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