How do you define a church?

Ok i see your point because i exactly like yours before, before moving to other church.

I also has a lot of confusion in the past because people interpret bible "suka-suka-dia"... meaning whatever the preacher / gurus claim he got from God / Jesus Christ, they just preach 1 way, and did not want to hear my response nor answering my questions. Forget about challenge him, because he the ones holding the mics. Sometimes i got change to discuss usually if the preacher is not busy. either by lunch / dinner or just simply casual talks... at the end either i have something new, or i feel closer to hell.

The problem is, their version of truth did not help my problem, or at least their truth also did not make me a better person. What i feel, i feel sooooooooooo close to hell instead of soooooooooo close to Jesus.

Then i decided to venture from Churh A, to B, to C to D to really find the church that really meet my need
1. Church must understand that i am a normal human being. take me as is, or leave me alone
2. Church must understand that i sin everyday, due to nature as business man sometimes i have to convince client and give clients comforts, instead of plain truth.
3. Church must be worshiping Jesus Christ, same as i worship Jesus Christ.
4. Church must be open and have attitude to give warmth welcome to newcomers, instead of just simply Praise God and forget new comers.

So today i went to a church that really 50% to 70% meet my expectations. At least the community did not condemn me, and understand me as is... as is meaning take me as what i am. And also, they take care my emotional needs, as a human being, i need pair of ears that i can trust. The definition of trust is:
1. did not call me sinner because i share you A,B,C,D...
2. can keep secret as i just need ur pair of ears.

sound selfish ? you need to trust me this. They are people that want to invest their lives in you. Listening to you, and build you... because they are just people like to do that... there are also church like that... 1st They put Jesus as no 1, and then No 2. they invest their lives in you. The doctrine is just as simple as that. So if you are selfish, these kind of church still will pamper you, because they are looking for selfish people. at least that's their doctrine.

You can try church:
http://www.chc.org.my/

When you attend chc church above, they always announce to all congregation: who is the first comer or second time comer. We would love to know you more and let's have a relationships. This is good. they are deliberately telling you that if you are a first timer or second timer, you are welcomed. All you need to to is raise your hand and minister / ushers / leaders nearby will give you pen and card that you can fill with your name and phone number.

This church as 500 people at 10AM service in the morning, so it's quite packed, but usually only 1% to 5% are new comers. sometimes leaders they approach you, sometimes if not, usually they will call you next days... but perhaps they forgot who knows... people are inperfect anyway

The people are nice, but again... people also have weaknesses... so don't get tempted to just say yes...yes... and open up 100%. Balance it.... trust Jesus, don't be naive... Test first....

When they call you, they ask for a meeting / chit-chat ... well consider as business opportunities. who knows it's benefit, why not give a try.... give them test case. (aka you lie / make up story lahhh.... ) e.g.
telling them i run a business but now business is difficult ya... where is my Jesus ?
telling them i am smart at school, but i need to work so don't have time to study, so i cheat with assignments and exams... what should i do ya ? life difficult lah... no work no money to pay tuition. no degree no career lahhh...

Then slowly you will have a better understanding of live.

now is 9:15 sunday. chc start at 10AM. hope u stay nearby. God Bless

All gifts from God are eternal, as you pointed out the greatest of these is love, why is that so because Jesus love His people so much that He is willing to die on the cross for our sins. That is the greatest love of all and God ask you to do the same for Him by laying down your life for Him no matter what is the consequences.

God wants you to lay down your life to spread the Good News of Him, even that means death.

not all people can spend their live spreading the good news. some may get the calling, some not but each has their function in the society.

i have visited the chc link and i think it must be very.. ermm engaging. too exciting i think. i am still catholic and conservative and i like to stay at the faaaar back corner of anonymity cuz it suits me. i only go for mass to sing for God but not listen to the yada yadaing sermon of the priest, too monotonous, repititve and quite boring. the songs are gooding though and thats why i attend.

I have tried different kinds of churches.

1. Since childhood till primary sch.the preach monotonous. The songs are so so.
2. Primary till jc: preach good songs great
3. Jc: preach monoton songs so so but people there are great and friendly
4. Univ: monoton preach good song
5. Working: song boring classic but preach amazing
6. Now: song good preach amazing but I don't hv a friend in my church

Has anyone attended City Harvest Church?

May I know if it's really a church?

If by church you mean concert and motivational seminar aimed at youths with attention deficit disorder then yes, City Harvest is a church.

ok i just come back from city harvest church earlier today, i must say that city harvest is not really a concert or motivational seminar like what you allegedly has said, the bible said sing to the Lord with joyful praises although i am not fond of the speaking in tongue style otherwise it is ok..............and i wondered if you ever attended their services before or not? just because you are not fond of their way of praise and worship it does not means it was a concert style...........

Whatever rocks your boat. There's a reason these churches attract lots of people. 

Has anyone attended City Harvest Church?

May I know if it's really a church?

you need to make the first step maybe you canb visit your church pastor to find out which small group is convenient for you to join?

of course got. but I am way too shy.

God said Step out in faith, by faith moses was called to service by faith david was called to serve his people, and also many others............so i say to you have courage to move on there are many volunteers during the service every weekend you can approach 1 of them for assistance there is even a helpdesk to help you as well

I am shy if it is big churches with have member thousands. I am more comfortable with church with 50 members. I like the preach in that big church.

i should clarify this to you. what i mean is no orndinary type of work. this is a type of work that even more important than faith that we need to perform before Christ can offer us the gift of everlasting life.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. BUT THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE.

Love cannot be manifested without work. in other words, good deeds are the manifestations of love.

the first and most important commandment is to Love God with all your heart. but since God has everything, He doesn't mean He need us to perform a ritual rote prayer that utters the 'i love u God' a thousand times a day... He had shown us how to love him through our work in Matthew 25:36-40...

I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply,

‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. AGAINST SUCH THINGS THERE IS NO LAW.

religion equates to law. this is why i said religion becomes irrelevant.

salvation is not a gift, salvation is once you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior which means you are bound in heaven which is eternal

salvation = your sin is forgiven by Christ. you can still lose this gift of salvation if you do not practice it. only when we are sinless that we can enter heaven. this is why we need Christ in our everyday life to ensure we do not stray from the right path. we strive with our own strength, but we need Christ to lend us the help we need in every situation we face. (correct me if im wrong)

gift of the Holy Spirit come in many forms, one does not simply be a missionary just because they wanted too, but it's an calling, some has the gift on interpreting the words of God, some has the ability to serve as a musician in the church and international level, this is how your spread the Words of God................i am sure you heard of Hilllsong brand before. They has been in the music gospel industry for more than 10 years spreading the love of God through music also producing many talented international artists. This is the work of Holy Spirit.