Ever since I moved 7 months ago.. I havent attened church... I still pray every night... and even before I moved I stopped going to church... I think it says that it is better to worship as a group rather than an individual...
2006-07-20 12:35:15 · 43 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You might want to try out some churches in the area and see if any of them appeal to you. Hey, you might at least get some free cookies and coffee after services if you play your cards right (or don't play your cards, if it's that kind of church. Ha. A pun.) It's OK to be moral on your own, but it's also nice to socialize and go to services with people who have similar beliefs. I didn't go to church for a while after I had a spiritual crisis of sorts, but I missed going and eventually went back. But I don't feel compelled to go--I just like to and it makes me feel like part of a community.
2006-07-20 12:41:34 · answer #1 · answered by SlowClap 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I grew up on a ranch too far from church to attend regularly. I'm a firm believer that God cares more about what you have in your heart, and how you live your life, than whether you are in church every Sunday. Church is there to ensure a place is available to learn the do's and do not's of religion. It is also there to find help, and to be a source of help, when needed. But it shouldn't be a requirement for how the Lord sees you. If you live right, and obey the laws as set by the bible in the 10 commandments, then there is no reason you should fret. Surely you are following His wishes as He would like, and maybe better than some of the hypocrites who are devout only for an hour or so each week. The rule of "where two or more" are gathered? Well there's you, and there's God. I think He would more than qualify as the second required person. As long as you have Him with you, and He always is, then you meet that requirement.
2006-07-20 12:46:19 · answer #2 · answered by fishing66833 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people stray from the things of God when they stop going to a church because the fellowship of other like minded believers helps them in their walk.
Do you find yourself "slipping" since you've stopped going to a church?
If so, you need to go.
But if you are praying and reading your Bible daily, you may be strong enough to worship in your own home
without the "walls" of a church.
Not everyone can stay home though.
They spiritually die because they can't feed themselves on the Word or are too
lazy to read spiritual things.
I personally have not gone to a church for years but I read daily and feed on the Word of God daily so I'm
doing fine.
There's a lot of good churches out there and a lot of
man-made dictators behind the pulpits and then again, there's a lot of liberal pastors that let you do whatever you want, so I guess it all depends on what you're looking for.
Birds of a feather flock together.
But one thing to remember, God is not coming for a "church" He is coming for individuals.
There is and will always be three kinds of believers in a church setting: the believer, the unbeliever, and the make-believer.
So, it's a process...depending on how far along you are.
There's babes in Christ and there's scarred warriors of the cross.
He loves us all as we climb up that Pyramid Mountain called Zion.
2006-07-20 12:47:14 · answer #3 · answered by Joja 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is helpful in your walk with Christ to be surrounded by believers. Church is a good place for that to happen. However, with the condition of today's church I would have to say no it is not entirely wrong. You can worship in a family group, or small group outside of church but I would encourage you to look around and see if you can't find a church you like. The bible says "where two or more are gathered".
2006-07-20 12:45:59 · answer #4 · answered by Brooke 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If we take away all the non-essentials, we would have Jesus and at least two people who have come together in His name. Two people, who have been born again, meeting together anywhere, at anytime, with Jesus in the midst, is church at its most basic, most informal level. (The Church in the House).
This is a good starting point for looking at how church is expressed. It’s simple. It can be two or three. When a husband and wife gather at home (two or more), it is church.
Going beyond that, we find in Scripture many diverse expressions of church. When people gathered for prayer, they were the church. When Christians gathered around the supper table, it was church. When a group gathered to share songs and interact with the Word, it was church. Period. Not second rate church. Just church. The Presence-of-Jesus-in-the-midst church. Every gathering of Christians=church. Every instance of Christians “going” into the world—church.
Expressions of church, since it is the expression of people gathering and going under the movement of the Spirit, can be as varied and diverse as people themselves.
Two missionaries sharing the Good News in an igloo in Greenland—church. Christian friends enjoying fellowship around a barbie—church. Real church. Full-on church. No more and no less “real church” than any organized church meeting
2006-07-20 12:53:10 · answer #5 · answered by usa_marines_wife 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. But to find the right church is tricky. Ask God for a church that is for you. One that teaches His Word & is not confined to religious restrictions on God's Word. It has to be a bible faith church. It has to believe that Salvation is by Grace, through Faith.
Do not forsake your gathing together, especially when you see the signs of the age of Christ. They are happening right now.
After I moved, I didn't go to church. I made some serious mistakes that 10 year period. Praying again after being spiritually blinded ended up in a 1 year break-down that burned up my wrong thinking & idols. Not a good experience. I would never stop going to church after going through that.
It is written that where two or three are gathered in my name, there I AM. Father, Son & Holy Spirit.
Those that worship God must worship Him in Spirit and Truth, any where or place.
God gives special wisdom & blessing through a church service. And blesses with a congregational blessing. Faith comes from hearing & hearing a word about God & Christ.
It isn't safe to be away from the sisters & brothers faithful in Christ that believe as you do either. The Wolves in sheeps clothing are out their to lead you astray & eat you up.
2006-07-20 12:45:29 · answer #6 · answered by t a m i l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it does say in hebrews that you are to be in church each time the doors open and to worship but keep in mind if you are sick or if something happens where you can not be there then ok but if you are able be there. the bible does not say worship at home you can pray at home and sing songs to him and tell others of him but you need to go to church and grow in him so just get out and go find a church and go and if you find your self not wanting just think of this statement by christ in JOHN 3:16 and be sure to follow the bible and do not yet man say this look it up, you see man claims to be saved you have to say a sinners prayed why the bible saids to be saved you must hear the word believe it confess it and repent of your sins and be baptize be different right and no sprink either baptize means to go under the water in the greek
2006-07-20 12:43:17 · answer #7 · answered by michael_roberts95 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not wrong if you don't go to church. The building we worship in is God's house where all are welcome. While there we worship as the Body of Christ, giving thanks to Our Father through his beloved son, and pray for all our brothers and sisters worldwide. When you pray one-on-one you are sharing an intimate moment with Our Creator. You talk to him and if you allow your conscience (or the Holy Spirit dwelling within you, for you share God's divinity through Baptism) to 'speak' to you, it is like asking God how much do I love you and how can I best express that love, so that I will know what to do and where to go, etc. You will feel a peace beyond understanding and a direction in your life. If you are feeling alone and unwanted, and a little sad it is a good time to go to church, for we are waiting there to comfort you and let you know that God loves you too!
2006-07-20 12:52:08 · answer #8 · answered by sue122443 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never had a bad experience at any church or synagogue that I've attended, and I enjoy going as often as I can, but I don't believe it's a requirement for being a good person.
It's greatest benefit, I believe, is enjoying the fellowship of positive, like-minded people. (In my case I'm a Humanist and therefore not like-minded about religion, but we're like-minded in the good works and positive outlook that so attracts me to churches and temples.)
If you can find a good church, go when you can. If you can't, keep doing what you do. Find what's right for you. Someone else's way may not be right for you.
2006-07-20 12:44:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The right or wrong of it is solely yours to name...however, since God is the spark of your true reality (spirit Self), no "church" is ever really necessary.
The concept of 2 or more gathered in the name of God...this is to show the natural power of spirit force when combined with others of like mind...we are a seriously powerful entity when pieces of our Creator are bought together for a common goal here on this planet...this is very evidenced in coming together for healing or prayer, but can be used in any situation.
2006-07-20 12:44:34 · answer #10 · answered by MsET 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋