why is it that when you stop going to Church,it's so hard to start going back?

Question

I was real active in church when I lived in Milwaukee !!! 7 years i was saved and I loved going !!! I sang in the choir participated in every program!!! when I moved to Ohio I went once or twice and found myself constantly comparing churches to my church home in Milwaukee!!! Some where down the line I lost it and my Life has been filled with sin ever since please help serious people only!!! salvation is no Joke!!!!

Answer 1

I just want to reflect on the disciples, for example when they were put in prison and away from gatherings, they maintained their faith and lifestyle. We should be so solid on our faith that circumstances do not change who we are.

This experience can show you your weaknesses for you to work on them, and get back into the Christian lifestyle.

God says; 'Return to me and I will return to you.' Malachi 3:7

Answer 2

I recently moved to a new area to go to Seminary. I loved my church family back home and have had a hard time in the year that I've been here trying to find a group of people that I want to meet with on a regular basis. The first problem is that the question is flawed at its root. The church is not a place you go. The word we translate as church is a group of people. It is translated in other passages as a mob. You can't go to church, you have to be a part of a church. Why are you having a hard time finding a group of people to be a part of? Because the way most modern American's "do church" is not inviting and does not engage people and build the necessary relationships. Like many have said the modern view of "church" is a boring meeting where people make you guilty and look down on you. Back home you were close to your church it sounds like so you were really a part of a church, not just "going to a church." You may be having a struggle with your spiritual life because you need the fellowship and accountability that fellow believers can give. If you can't find some official meeting just spend time with other believers that can teach, love, serve with and help you, that is what the church really is all about.

Answer 3

When you live out of the church a while, you become self-dependant. You have to learn how to give up control of your own life again, and that's not easy.

My best reccommendation is to dive right back in. Many churches fill positions (such as choir and other programs) with people who have demonstrated a loyalty and dedication to the church family.

A church is like a family. A constant presence and involvement with the members is the only way to become a part.

And remember, just like families, different churches have different cultures. Don't expect your church in Ohio to be like the church in Milwaukee. You've moved to a new place, and you must become a part of THEIR culture. The music will be different, their communion will be different, services will be different, and so will the people. As long as their behavior is biblical, learn their customs, and do things their way. You'll find they'll probably welcome you with open arms.

Answer 4

I wouldn't joke about anything like that - ever. I doubt that your life has been 'filled with sin' - you don't sound like a sinful person, and not going to church is not a sinful act.
The new church is different, and has different people in it, and you don't feel the same way as you did in your nice familiar church. It happens. If you can't continue in that church, maybe you could try another religion. It's your belief in God that counts, not which church you go to.
I have the same problem - I have only attended church about half a dozen times in the last three years. But for a different reason. My husband died three years ago, and no matter which church I go to, I just start crying about halfway through the service because we always used to go together. So I've just quit going - it's too painful.

Answer 5

If I didnt know no better I would think that was me asking that question. We was very active in church as well. We was there everytime the doors was open. But how we got out was cause we stopped praying, reading at home. We stopped fedding ourselves with what was needed and started letting sin creep back in. I have had others tell me to just go, but when the desire isnt there how do you just go. Its like being lost all over again, but I know I am saved. I wished I could help you but I am where you are as well. God bless and wish you the best.

Answer 6

People often think as church as building or religion when, in fact, a church is a community of people who come together to worship. I would try going to some different churches in the area until you find one that has people whom you can relate to and build relationships with. It is important to remember that it will take time to build relationships of the type that you built over a 7 year period. And, it won't be exactly the same. I had a group of roommates in college that I absolutely loved--it was one of the best years of my life. However, as some graduated and moved on and other roommates moved in then it was never the same. It is so hard when that happens in life but that is part of the learning and growing process. During changes one must in a sense go through a grieving process and then move on. Allow yourself that. Also, quit beating yourself up as that will impede your ability to make the necessary changes to get back on track. Jesus said, "love thy neighbor as thyself" and many neglect to realize that the verse is saying to love yourself. That is where it begins.

Answer 7

b/c of pride? comparing churches is easy to do but it's called church shopping and isn't always a good idea. it almost sounds as if u were going 4 da social life, but i may be wrong and i dont mean to cause offence. i suggest repenting i.e. turning back to God and appologising & realising that ur missing sumthing is a good start. ask Him to change u and to place u in a church where u can grow in Him.

U will find Him again b/c God is always out looking for those that have strayed, longing to bring them home. Remember tho that Making mistakes doesn't disqualify u. Joshua messed up loads of times while he was in traing under Moses, but he still got to lead the People to the Promised Land.
i hope this helps

God bless xxx

Answer 8

It sounds to me that you didn't find the kind of fellowship you had at your previous church. You became bored and unfortunately rebellious. That rebellion was stopping going to the church that bored you, instead of seeking ways to improve it or finding a church that better suited your needs. Once you rebel you open the door for the devil to work in your life, and that is where the sin comes in. You need to pray, and I will pray with you, for forgiveness and for the Holy Spirit to work within you to restore your life. It is said that you don't get your life until you lose it.....and now is the time to lose the life you are in and get the one you left earlier.

I don't believe that church attendance is imperitive to salvation, although God does want us to have fellowship. I do believe that it is easier to stray from the Word if you aren't exposing yourself to it. Some people only get that exposure at church and that is enough to keep them walking the straight and narrow. Some people need more....I find myself reading scripture everyday.

I am definitely available if you would like to talk, pray, etc.

Answer 9

There's always this inertia. Once you stop doing something you are used to doing, you will soon get use to stop doing that. There is alot of inertia to overcome to go to a new church. But dear, once you know some people of the church, you will enjoy going there, as you can participate in the activities. Pray that you want to go back to church to overcome the devil, and make yourself go to church, and soon you will overcome the inertia.

Answer 10

Please Read !!!! why ask why ? you by your own words have told your self what you need to know and what you need to do . don''t ask why , Just ask the Lord to forgive you and find a church and go . you know sometimes things happen and we will walk away from the Lord , but the Lord is still where He Has always been , standing with His arms wide open saying come to Me. you have confessed that your life is filled with sin , then give that sin to the Lord and do what you already know you need to . do you love the Lord ? He still loves you , and He is waiting for you .

Answer 11

Hi, first of all sin is always there, out of church and in church, you always fight that fight any where you go. Our worldly side, If I may say,.spiritual thing's seem to fade away, see it's like Moses,...your on the mountain with Jesus and your close with Him,..you shine and are full of the spirit and God's glory..you come down off the mountain you start fading our heart harden, you have to realize satin wants you to look bad, make you fell bad and will do anything to make you fall.
satin Make's the world looks fun,...yes and we all like fun,there is so many thing's out there in the world that will pull you away, doing thing's with your friend's but that's ok unless they are making you do thing's you should not, put thing's in perspective,...put God first and pray about it.
There are thing's like car's, boat's or computer's, tv's, dvd's, boy or girl friend's and that is not bad for you, I love that stuff too!.
It's just satin does not want you to be in church or do those kind of thing's for God, see he wants you to fail but if you listen to that feeling in your deep most soul your body, you know the one, that feeling you get when you know that your doing something wrong,.. that's the Lord telling to come back come back.
Remember satin make's it fun and it is fun it is for a season and then you realize,.. yea it's fun but the consequences could be a bummer. Just remember, Put God first or should I say Seek ye first the Kingdom,...I still fall and leave where I sould be and have to come back and repent of all my sin's, it's a dayley thing no matter what to keep asking forgivness every day or minet or even second's.
The biggest thing to remember, God didn't step away, He is alway's there it's us, we, me, you that stepped away....God's grace is alway's there for us, He forgive's and Love's us know matter what, Just look what he has done, He ( God ) gave His only Son to die on the cross for all of us in this would. the hole thing is GRACE he love's you and all....spell it out,
God's
Riches
At
Christ
Expence
sorry I wrote so long, May the Lord Bless you and keep you and let His face shine upon you and bring you peace...The Lord will take you where He want's you to go.
God Bless