I became a Christian in 1972. I was forced to go to a summer bible camp. I have never been to a summer camp let alone a bible one. This was scary and repulsive and I put up a good fight but mum pushed and pushed until I went. Who knows I might meet some girls. I had very little time for Christians. I had a lot of time for girls. They came across to me as weak minded conformists who really didn't think very deeply (Christians that is). My mind was changed over the next week as I met many Christians my age who were genuine, open minded and full of faith. Within a few days my faith in Christ grew to the point when I requested to be baptized. No baptistries. We were up on top of Mount Tamborine in the Gold Coast hinterland. There were plenty of streams and pools and so late one day I was immersed in one of those leech infested ponds. It was a personal experience. I had personally come to believe in Jesus and heard the gospel in its simplicity and purity. The Christians who taught me were not denominational in any way. They were simply Christians. Nothing more and nothing less.
In looking back on this I notice that my coming to Christ was not within the experience of a local church. I had never attended the local Church of Christ. I didn't even know where it was or even care for that matter. I was 16 and I wanted to give my life to Jesus. The church thing didn't enter into my experience until the following Sunday. I didn't know anything about all the church stuff. It was this stuff that would severely mess with me over the years but it didn't really kill off my faith as my faith was not based on my church experience. It was based on my personal experience with Jesus.
It is a sad observation but it is true. So many times the church really gets in the way of a person's spiritual development. I don't say this to indicate that I resent the church. I have learned to love the church and have dedicated my life to serving Jesus within the church. I just long for the day when the local church will be a place of genuine Christians whose primary concern is their love for God and their love for each other. God blessed me with rebirth into Christ. I didn't know if there was a true church or if it mattered. My journey would take me through a long conversation of the position of church in my Christian experience. It would be a difficult journey during which I would move from one pole to an almost opposite pole.
More later
