What keeps some Christians from going to or joining a church?

Question

I'm particularly interested in what Christians think. No offense to any non-Christian group, but I'm a Christian, I do not go to church, and I'm interested in what fellow Christians might think. What do you think keeps people from going to church?

Answer 1

My mother is a Christian, and the reason she doesn't go is because she doesn't like how churches are run like businesses. They use tithe and collected money to build-on to their church instead of donating it to charity. Also, she doesn't like the elitist attitude the congregation develops.

Answer 2

I have an old friend of mine who is like that. He says, and I believe he is, a Christian. But he's gun-shy, i.e., he's been the brunt of a lot of criticism and back-stabbing.(But not necessarily from Christians) When he was young, he abused drugs and alcohol and was a womanizer. So, knowing people like I do, almost no one forgives him. THAT could really turn a believer into a spiritual 'hermit'. But basically, I think it's fear of others, and/or how they may judge you. Christians should be careful not to do that, 'cause it's NOT their job. That is reserved solely for the LORD on judgement day. Anyway, to make a short story long, (lol) I think you may just be afraid of what others may think of you. Don't even worry about it-- don't even THINK about worrying about it. Jesus will take you just the way you are (and he'll make all necessary improvements) Go to Church-- don't worry about what others think.

Answer 3

When a church invents their own worship - this will keep Christians from attending. Here is also a good question - why do churches make up their worship, when directions for worship are given in the Bible? Is made up worship acceptable to God?

These questions are discussed at my site:

Check out http://www.johnfourteen.com
Look at "Studies in the Bible"
many answers to everyday life
can be found there.

Answer 4

Often it is because they are trying to keep from becoming 'Sunday Christians'. I strongly believe that being a Christian is not defined by going to church, rather by believing in Christ and following him. It is helpful to surround yourself by fellow believers for support, which is part of the purpose of church, but church isn't the only place for Christian fellowship.

Answer 5

I am christian, I believe in God with all my heart. I wqnt to go to church, a Christian church, i don't go for a stupid reason, i am shy, and i do not want to join a church where they are extreem and that will frighten me,

I KNOW , STUPID REASON

Yet, i know i need fellowship, i need to be around other christians, who really are strong in faith and knowledge, i need to have more people around me who are Christians,
instead of how it is now.

I say this because sometimes i feel like i am being pulled away from what i want and for the love of God and JESUS ,, I believe we are to include Jesus in our lives in all ways, and i sometimes do, but then i just don't even think of that for a day or two, and then it hits me "WHAT AM I DOING" don't i believe in Jesus, what happened to get my mind off of the most importand thing,, my salvation.

I know if i can just make some friends, that are christian, and i could be supported more in my weakness, and so on.
SO I did not answer your question, exactly, but i know that God is not sitting in the church waiting for us, he lives in the heart of those who believe in him and love him,
but church is a nice place for other people to go and meet (like a bar) that agree, and should have fellowship,, and there is strength in prayers.

Answer 6

my mother and people like her. i was raised as a christian, i am very spiritual, but i have zero interest in church because i feel i am way more loving, accepting and compassionate than i've found church goers to be (of course, not all) and i don't particularly care to be around people i find so hypocritical. i also feel a lot of church goers focus on the wrong things (i.e., i don't care what God's name is, where he, she or it lives or what day i'm supposed to worship. i'd rather focus on promoting love and peace and developing my spiritual gifts; forming a personal relationship with the infallible). although I haven't been to church in 20 years, i devote a great deal of time to my spiritual development through books, meditation, etc.

Answer 7

the true answer is commitment to God. i know many people who say they are Christians but dont go to church because they just dont want that commitment. sometimes Christians who dont go to church think they dont need it or dont want to be classified as a real church goer. they dont want to be seen as really religious. the 7th day is the sabbath so you should rest and worship the Lord at church. this is what keeps Christians from going to church.


as for non-Christians, there are much more reasons.

Answer 8

A lot of people are scared to get involved in a church. It can be time consuming, and demanding. Also some Christians can get burned out on church, especially when they get persecuted by their fellow churchmen.

Answer 9

The seed of God's Word didn't fall on good soil.

Matthew 13:18 "Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand, then the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed being sown beside the road. 20 But the seed sown on stony ground, is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but is short-lived. For when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 But the seed sown in the thorns is he who hears the word, and the anxiety of this age, and the deceitfulness of riches chokes out the word, and it becomes fruitless. 23 But the seed sown on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

Answer 10

i consider my self a christian and i don't go to church.......i gave up on organized religion long ago. i feel, as long as there is one hungry child, one untreated sick person or one homeless person on the face of the earth, there should not be one penny in any churches bank account. organized religions own about 12-13% of the real estate in the world. i believe Jesus joined the Essenes for a reason. Christian, Muslim, Jewish, etc. it dose not matter. i think they are all too rich. everytime i hold my grandchildren i am in church.