The term "fringe" typically means "not of the most common, traditional, or mainstream variety" in present-day usage. While some Christians dislike the term or think of it in a derogatory way, I don't share such a view. "Different" doesn't automatically equal "evil," or even "suspect." Of course, some Christians clearly think otherwise. "He who is forgiven much (He who is on the fringe?), loves much" comes to mind. I think we all must really learn that one. And what if culturally speaking, we are part of a fringe church? Frankly, what does that have to do with anything eternally important?!

The perfect church does not and will not exist until the Lord "rolls up the world like a scroll" and the world as we know it ends. Meanwhile, the Word is plain about "the flesh" or "old nature"--the attitudes and characteristics of self that exist in all of us. We are the church--assemblies of imperfect, oftentimes self-centered and tunnel-visioned believers that include us all.

In an uncomfortable church situation one option is to stop attending church services. There are (and have always been) people who take that route. I can find no biblical support for doing so and much in the Bible that speaks against it. The very word "church" means "assembly," which one person alone cannot have. Hebrews 10:25 speaks of "not giving up the habit of meeting together" as some have. Not all are gifted as pastors, teachers, etc., so to attempt a balanced Christian life without close relationships in a local church seems quite impossible.

I think perhaps doctrinal differences (which are also normal between imperfect believers) may often enter into feelings of rejection. For example, people on the fringe may feel some of their bad experiences with churches have had to do with their fellowship mistaking a cultural tradition of dress, etc., for doctrine. It's true that a local churche may key in on "correct appearances" more than it ought. If this be the case, and it is also the most Christ-centered and solidly Bible-teaching fellowship in the area, I suggest we dress and act as appropriately as we can and be an example of true biblical holiness in our attitude toward the fellowship's immaturity.

I know that's a hard word, but it is sound! What are the alternatives? We all know that doctrine is certainly more important than culture. Yet with a cloud of witnesses, I and countless others have experienced plenty of cultural "dropkicks." Very early in my Christian walk I learned to expect this because of my own cultural preferences.

We know it isn't a biblical sin to relate stylistically with current culture unless it contradicts God's Word, morals, and such. But we cannot expect others to agree with this stance in every congregation. In fact, it is still a bit unusual for someone of an "alien" culture to walk into a Sunday service in the average church in America and not get second looks from the congregation. In rural areas or small towns this is even more the case. I guess what I'm saying here is that if we're going to look and sound different to the bulk of the congregation, what ought we to expect as a result? It's just logical that some will challenge us on our stance. How we react is probably the larger issue.

A concern for holiness and commitmentare necessary for ourselves personally as well as for the spiritual life of any local church. But one's own interpretation of Scripture and understanding of what holiness and discipleship entail may not be the same as others'. What are the "essentials"? Doctrines such as salvation by grace through faith in the atoning blood of Jesus alone, the Resurrection, the deity of Christ, etc., are basic to 98 percent of the larger Church. I suggest anyone feeling rejection for cultural differences do a thorough Bible study on what does constitute biblical grounds for disfellowshipping with other Christians. I think it could prove helpful in the dilemma.

It is a great thing that in a large part of the world each individual can prayerfully look for a local fellowship that might finally be the place of biblical, spiritual nurture for them. But to find such a place and get truly settled there is a continual problem for many. Should a person be automatically considered rebellious, perhaps contentious, until they finally "plug in" at the local church level? I think not. Yet . . . how long before such a judgment would be accurate? If after so many tries we still find ourselves caught in the doctrine/culture muddle, it may be that some of our own attitudes compose part of the problem.

In some place it is at this juncture that a fringe church develops. This can be good (being culturally different doesn't mean we are breaking God's commandments). God may use us to reach "tribes" unlike those at "First Church" down the road. It can also mean the formation of a loose fellowship of younger Christians--younger in years, spiritual maturity, or both. Unfortunately, the difference may come to be a lesser commitment to the Bible resulting in the younger, more culturally hip losing their spiritual way.

In looking at the fifth chapter of Galatians, it seems evident that no fruit of the Holy Spirit could be linked to attitudes such as cynicism, bitterness, or unforgiveness. Am I right in thinking many in this fringe cultural position have battled on this ground? Remember, "comfort" . . . theirs or ours . . . cannot be so important that either jettisons the whole relationship on the basis of it. If cultural comfort is our motivation division is inevitable. Relationship to Jesus and, within the will of God, to others is far more important than my comfort. I cannot demand or expect that maturity of heart from other believers. Yet God (rightly) requires it of me.

A few questions. Do we have any genuine sense of confirmation that the Lord has led us to, and chosen for us, our place of residence, job, schooling, etc.? Or have we made our choices apart from His guidance? The same question applies to our decision as to what church to attend. I ask this because if we continue to ask, seek, and knock in faith, God will answer. Perhaps He already has and we need to settle in right where we are?

Two groupings of Scripture seem really relevant to these issues:

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit He caused to live in us envies intensely? But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:1-6)

The verses immediately preceding these seem to offer even more detailed direction as to what we might do about this sort of situation:

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom". For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:13-18)

Finally, I heard a great teaching tape many years ago. A Bible teacher broughtout a really important truth about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. You know, the guys king Nebuchadnezzar threw into the fiery furnace because they would only worship the true God. He made a spiritual point out of the fact that they "came through the fire but didn't smell like smoke." Sometimes we walk in disagreement, bitterness, or resentment against others rather than focusing on the Lord as those three did. We "smell like smoke."

Few of us are as gracious to others as we'd have them be toward us.