Occasional hearing

Yesterday I came across a phrase in my news feed on facebook which got me curious so I googled it and read a few articles. The phrase? Occasional hearing. I quickly realized this was the doctrine that had held my family captive through my teen and young adult years (well part of my family is still involved :-( ). The definition -

Occasional hearing is the practice of attending worship services or preaching by ministers of denominations other than one's own. Historically this practice has been resisted and is even a matter of church discipline among churches that study confessional integrity. Churches which traditionally have resisted the practice tend to be theologically conservative and confessional.

I believe this doctrine comes straight from hell. Because of it I was unable to attend church, receive the sacraments, get married, or even have Christian friends or fellowship. No one is good enough, no pastor preaches the truth rightly, there is no true church. So these people meet in their basements and living rooms and forsake the assembling of the brethren.

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another."

Hebrews 10:25a

I thank the Lord that He opened my eyes, opened doors, and called me out of that. Unfortunately leaving meant becoming disowned by my family. Every family I have known that practices this doctrine has cut off people and family to some degree. Just some of the lovely fruit that comes from this teaching.

For the record I am not suggesting folks attend any random group that is called a church. My belief is that we need a church that has the marks of a true church -

What are the marks of a true church? I have heard people say there are three: 1. The preaching of the gospel takes place. 2. The sacraments are rightly ministered. 3. Church discipline is exercised.

(Other things are vital for church life.....We could add more things to the list in fact. However these things flourish only where the three marks of the church are present.)

There is no sin in joining a church. There is no sin in visiting a church of a different denomination while traveling, or attending a wedding, etc. There is no perfect church. Read Revelation 2 and 3 where Christ speaks to the churches. There are some bad problems, but He never says to leave, to walk away, they are called to repent, encouraged to fix the problems, and press on, hold fast to Christ and His church, His bride. How can we love Christ, but hate and reject His Bride? We can't, it's impossible. 

All I can say is if someone tries to teach this - run, don't walk, in the opposite direction! My heart breaks for young people I know being deceived by this.