re: Over 25% of Methodist churches abandon denomination as schism grows over LGBTQ+ issues

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But, why? If Christ lives within you, why do you require the physical trappings of man to stay close to the Lord God?

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Many reasons.

We're commanded to not forsake the gathering together.

We are given means of grace in the preaching of the word, prayer, and the sacraments (baptism and the Lord's supper) as helps for us to grow closer in communion with God, and these are given for the benefit of the church.

We are members of one body with many different gifts given for the mutual benefit of each other. We are to be involved in each others' lives to build up others and to be built up by others.

We are commanded to submit to and honor our ruling elders who are accountable for our souls. They can't shepherd us and we can't submit to them and be shepherded by them if we don't belong to a church.

There are many more reasons that could be given, but that's just a taste. The Church was built for our good for and or the public worship of our God. To divorce yourself from the Church is to divorce yourself from the means that God has given as a primary help in our spiritual lives. In short, it's not good for us to be on our own.