by mrs lilyI sort of half joke that I do not like church, but no one seems to take me seriously. Of course I can’t be serious, right? I mean, if you’re a Christian, you go to church, right? Usually the response I get is something along the lines of “do not forsake the assembling of ourselves together”…because everyone knows this Scripture means: “Do not stop going to a church service every Sunday morning”...
The truth is that most of my life I have not enjoyed going nor have I felt comfortable in church. There, I said it. Yet for various reasons, I have always gone, and perhaps I always will. I am in no way trying to discount the importance of the church as we know it today, nor do I discourage anyone from going to "church".
I am not one to nitpick the church and everything that has gone wrong over time; I do believe it is intended for good and despite it's flaws the Lord has been able to use it and move through it. We have been given a wonderful opportunity through the church as we know it to grow and meet corporately for prayer, praise and teaching. So it is not that I disagree with it entirely.
I just long for so much more.
I have heard it said that often when the gospel is presented to an indigenous group of people, and not laid out in a westernized system, these people will make the gospel their own, and it is beautiful and real, and rarely looks anything like we in America know church to look like. It makes me wonder why the church as we know it is the only way accepted by Christians in America, and what it could possibly look like if we didn't have the previous knowledge that we do of how to do a church service. But perhaps it is the fear that there will be no order, no solid time of meeting in America's busy lifestyle, or fear of getting off-base that we stick to what we know. But does that mean it is the best or only way?
For me personally, I know that the times I have grown the most in fellowship with other believers, been encouraged through the Word and felt the presence of the Lord, is often through a simple meal or a good conversation shared with other believers, or through praying with a friend, or even during the fellowship time before or after church. I'm not saying I haven't benefited from the church, but I know it is not where I have grown the most.
I still want to meet with other believers, I still want someone in my life teaching me and helping me grow, I still want the opportunity to pray and praise our Father corporately with other believers –
But does that really mean being a member of a specific church and going every Sunday?
Comments (117)
Hell no, you don't have to go to chruch. Screw it and go do something fun.
I don't go to chruch anymore because I don't like it and they pretty much don't like me there because I started making gay jokes about god.
Pretty funny way to piss off your pastor.
I'm blessed to be part of a church that I absolutely love, so I enjoy going every Sunday. But I will say that attending church is not a prerequisite for anything, nor is it something that is required. God will love you just the same if you have accepted Christ as your Savior. It is good to attend church and fellowship with other believers, but I don't like how most Christians will put this on one of the "to do if you're Christian" list.
If the church that you're attending is not feeding you and you feel as if you're hampered in your growth, time to look elsewhere.
I will say however, that one must separate emotions from reality. If you enjoy going to church generally and are blessed every time you go, chances are you SHOULD go even if you don't FEEL like it. But you should not feel condemned for having missed a service, because honestly God doesn't judge you on what you do or not.
I don't think it's so much that we have to attend church, but to learn about Him more.
@hubbaduh@xanga - http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mt%205&version=31
The Beatitudes, Matthew 5
[for example]
1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,
2and he began to teach them saying:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
I normally don't go to church, but when I go I feel comfortable, like a sense of calmness when I go. I don't like it when they scrutinize hell or sin, but who am I to complain?!
I would like to start attending church on a regular basis, but I don't feel comfortable just showing up to a church, no matter how welcoming they claim to be. I don't mind going to church with a friend on occasion, but to just go scope out churches and attend services just makes me uneasy.
@esavvy - So you believe that being "blessed" is the same as being "happy" then?
I've always thought so ("that being 'blessed' is the same as being 'happy'), however we tend to make happiness a priority, we tend to make happiness and joy synonymous terms when they are quite a bit different. [for example]
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%201&version=31 James 1
Note verses 2 and 12 (first joy, then blessed) ... 12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because ...
Count on the word of God, over someone like me with just empty air (sometimes). Church is full of people of all ages and maturity. The Word is where you meet Your Master, the LORD, and there's where you will find the authoritative answers.
@eclipse_the_dawn@xanga - Please don't tarnish the name of the rest of us Catholics by acting like it's ok to only go twice a year. I'd urge you to dig deeper into your faith if you think twice a year is all that is 'required' for us.
I can totally feel for you!
People is what makes up a church. To me, how you feel about a church is based on how you get along with the people in the church.The people in the church will give you an insight on why you're feeling uncomfortable.
A couple things. It's important to go even when you don't feel like it. You don't really go for yourself. Also, the bible talks about "not forsaking the assembling together of yourselves." And if your church really does not feel like home, perhaps you should pray about changing churches. You don't have to go to church to be a Christian, but I've found that it helps my walk to stay involved.
@chiltons99@xanga - Well, I got the impression from your original comment that you believe God commands us to go to church. Do you have a Scripture that explicitly says that?
I think I understand where you are coming from, and if you will reread my post, I hope you will realize I am not entirely disagreeing with you the importance of church, but I do not believe that the way we do church is God's original intention nor has it really been around that long. Now does that mean we stop going? Not necessarily...really I'm just trying to find where the Lord wants me to be - and so far, that has always been within a church. Perhaps that is the only way I will get solid teaching, fellowship, and corporate prayer and worship. But for some reason, that makes me really sad, and for that reason I am questioning and trying to figure out what it is that could be different...does that make sense?
Also, I do not agree with the statement your pastor made because I have seen it. I have seen people whom the Lord has specifically called away from church (NOT from fellowship with other believers, mind you) and the Lord has used them in ways that I pray He will use me even to a degree of. It is possible. And to say it isn't is insinulating that God makes cookie cutter followers. God can use the institutions man has set up, but He will not be limited to them.
@mrslily - Actually it wasn't my pastor who made the comparison. A preacher, yes, but not my pastor.
1 Corinthians 12:12-31 speaks of the body of Christ being made up of individuals and how each individual has a certain role to make up the entire body. If half the body isn't together for worship - the job doesn't get done. If you are wanting a verse that says "Go to church every Sunday" - you aren't going to find one. If you want a verse that says "You don't have to go to church if you don't want to" you won't find that either!
I don't know where you stand in your faith or how far in your relationship you have grown with the Lord. Maybe I'm off-course, but it sounds like you're not enjoying going to church and maybe trying to find something or someone who will say it's ok - that you can still be on God's path if you seek to find Him your own way. (Just looking back at the examples you give in your reply about knowing people who don't go to church who are Christians.)
There are buildings and congregations who gather together faithfully every Sunday and throughout the week who call themselves the church. They have a preacher who preaches the Bible and they have members who say "Amen" at the right time and claim the name of Jesus. On the surface they look like the church but they are really an imitation. I believe there are many of these folks who don't go to church - they say they're alright with Jesus and they're followers but they never darken a door of true worship of Him with other believers, or to stand as a testimony to someone who is seeking salvation for the first time.
It's true that being in a church service on Sunday morning or any other morning will not make you a Christian. I just believe if you're not in a church regularly, and you are a true Christian, you know you are in the wrong. You will either change it, or you'll end up complacent and fall to the wayside.
You are right to seek where the Lord wants you to be - but seeking bloggers' opinions is far different than seeking the Lord's! That's what His Word is for - and it is unmatched by anyone or anything!
Jesus said "Follow Me." Where would He lead you on Sunday morning?
@chiltons99@xanga - I can see that I am not being as clear to you as I think I am being. That's the thing I hate about blogging. It is hard to communicate feelings through posts back to each other. I hope you can know that I am not simply trying to argue with you.
However, I am not looking for you or anyone else to agree with me, but I am posing questions that I have been personally mulling over and I do not think it is wrong to question the why we do what we do and how we do it. I never said I was looking for a justification not to go to church; I have gone to church ever since I was a baby and I came to know the Lord in a very real way very young. But though I am sure the Lord has used it in my life, I know that I have not known him most deeply in a church service (the actual service is the main thing I have been addressing, no one seems to understand that!).
I agree with you that we should be continually fed and in fellowship with other believers or we will probably fall by the wayside. I never said to any degree that I think otherwise. I can however, see how the Lord would provide those things through other mediums in different people's walk. I do not think it is right to have an attitude against church and say one will never go there - to do so would be rejecting the very people we claim to walk alongside in faith.
Like you said, there are plenty of people who go to church and really don't know the Lord, and plenty of people who think they know the Lord but don't go to church. I know we are supposed to judge the actions of our fellow believers, but secretly condemning and assuming things about other people is a different thing entirely. I'm not trying to be harsh with you, it just sort of sounds like you are being quick to assume things about other people.
@chiltons99@xanga - p.s. i don't know why it keeps italicising the last half of my comment...I keep trying to fix it...gah
@mrslily - Nope - not judging or assuming anything about anyone, in secret or otherwise. I simply read the blog and posted what I believe about Christians going, or not going, to church. I'm sorry if it seemed otherwise.
Yes, I agree the message in a church service is indeed the service. When I think of going to church, I think of hearing a message. I don't think about anything else. Sunday School is great but more of a teaching/fellowship time. The music is great but is more of a praise time of the service. It's all a part of what goes on, but the preacher's message is the service of worship. If the services you are hearing are so bad, boring, dull, lacking, whatever the case might be, that it has you wondering if you even need or have to be there, then maybe the Lord is telling you to look elsewhere.
And no - it's never wrong to question something you are struggling with - as long as you let your answer come from the One who has it all right!
Just remember the two words of our Lord - "Follow Me" - and obey...where ever they might lead you.
@skylar_rose@xanga - Church isn't about sitting in a pew and going through the motions. It's about being part of a community that takes action. Sharing ideas is a good thing, but if it's only an intellectual exercise, it's really pretty useless. Christians are supposed to work together to make a difference in the world. In addition to learning Scripture and having a close relationship with God, we are also supposed to nurture close relationships with other Christians so that they can lift us up and we can lift them up. You can't build relationships like that by typing on a keyboard. Why do you think Jesus chose something as basic and universal as a meal as the main remembrance of His sacrifice? He meant for His people to share the little mundane things in life so that they could grow together in unity.
In Hebrews 10:23-25, the Apostle Paul has this to say:
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let
us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but
let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day
approaching.
So the focus on our participation in church has to be on what we can bring to the community to help our brothers and sisters instead of what we can get out of it.
Hm? Church in the Bible seems to be, like you said, a gathering together of believers, with an intent... to praise, worship, pray, and learn about God together. Church is NOT a building. Perhaps you could look into finding a small group to gather together with and have more of a "real church" service/setting.. At a coffee shop, or at your house.. or, even at McDonalds. Who knows? The possibilities are endless. :) I'm not saying you shouldn't go to Sunday church.. You should so long as you're able. Just perhaps that the church you go to doesn't seem to have church in it's truest form. So, the question is.. What are you going to do about it? Just keep sitting there like most of us are.. Or are you genuinely concerned enough.. to begin to make a difference? :) Let me know.
<3,
~*Akarui Mitsukai*~
I love going to church. I can't seem to put it in to words. When you find out the significance of mass is, you realize what a joyful experience it can be.
This is how I look at it. I have to agree, I didn't use to like it either. Back when i was in middle school, i saw it as a total waste. Worse of all, i hated sitting there for an hour, not being aloud to talk to my friends or chat about this or that.. just sitting there listening to this man go on and on about something that was not making any sense in my mind.
But I grew, thanks to God. I did indeed grow. I don't look at it like that anymore. It is said, you do not have to go to Church to be a christian, you do not have to be baptist, or any of that.. you do not have to get up early and go sit for an hour or more.. He dosen't say you have to do any of that.. but he does ask us to obey Him.. and by obeying him is going to church, seeking God there, in fellowship, getting baptized, and getting busy for the Lord. He asks to get busy.. i hear it over and over again every single Sunday.. and now.. since i have a new light on the whole church thing.. i do believe with my whole heart, as does everyone else in my church..that i have the BEST church out there.. because we are trying to obey the Lord, by going to church, fellowshipping, getting BUSY for Him, and doing what he asks.. and the things He asks us are so simple really.. but you have to want to live for Him, in order for your heart to set upon to do it.
He just wants you to obey Him, and he asks for that in the bible..and by obeying, is going to church. Simple as that really.