i want to be spiritual,but I do not want to attend a church?

Question

i have had bad experiences in churches, but I do have a spiritual hunger in my life. I want to address this area of my life without involving myself in an organized religion. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

No one said you have to go to a church to be spiritual.
Set up your own rules and boundaries based on what you feel is right. Stick by those rules and then just enjoy yourself and life.

Answer 2

Sure, you can be spiritual without attending church! I justified not going for 6 years by saying "me and Jesus got our own thing going". The only problem with doing this was my spiritual needs were NOT being met! I found it much easier to "forget" to read my Bible and pray!

Just like our physical body needs to be fed, our spirit must be fed as well. This feeding can come from home, but the best place to receive it is by being in a worship, praise, fellowship setting with other believers!

I totally understand how you feel though, too many churches seem to be more interested in the almighty dollar or raising the number of members.......or teaching stuff not even found in Scripture. I do not believe in "organized religion" either, but I have been blessed to find a great church that teaches Scripture without putting a man-made 'spin' on God's Word! Visit some churches and give them a chance to feed your spirit! Most of all, stay in prayer about which church God wants you at!

Answer 3

l think it'll really be difficult for you to succeed if you go at it alone. If by being spiritual you mean having and establishing a relationship with Jesus Christ then you'll have to use the bible as your reference point.In the bible we're admonished NOT to forsake the assembling together of saints this is because our spirits need constant awakening through listening to the word of God and sharing it with fellow christians. You can't grow on your own you need people to help you in prayer.Even Jesus speaks on the importance of gathering"wherever 2 or 3 of you are gathered in my name there will l be also." Listen though you've had bad experiences at churches there has to be a good one that you can attend. Lastly take all your cares and needs to the Lord in prayer he'll more than help you!

Answer 4

READ! There are so many things that you can read that will attend to your spiritual hunger. Also, you can create your own rituals (for lack of a better word) that will feed your spirituality. Do something that makes you feel good and allows you time to think at the same time. For example, go hiking or for a walk. Find a place that makes you feel at peace and just spend time there meditating. Have you tried meditating? You can also find lots of good books on that subject. Hope this helps you along on your spiritual journey.

Answer 5

If you want to be a Christian then you want to be part of both the universal Church and the local Church. I have also had problems in Church and been hurt and disappointed, but not by God, by men. I am seeking and believe I have found a great local Church and hope to make it my new Church home.

In the Bible the Church is mentioned many times, however all but three times it is speaking of the local Church not the universal Church. I believe the local Church is very, very important to Christ and should be to us.

I will pray that we both are led by the Holy Spirit to the right place for us.

God Bless

Answer 6

I am so happy that in the first place you said you want to be spiritual.

If you do not want to attend a church consisting of lifeless and legalistic bunch of people whose commitments are to be questioned, that’s okay.

But the Scripture repeatedly reminds us that we are the body of Christ. Consider for instance Hebrews 10:24-25 and Matthew 18:20. Just as one part of the body cannot do away with other parts, we too cannot live meaningful Christian lives without fellowshipping with fellow Christians. The Church is in fact not an abstract union of believers, but a gathering of Christians who are alive in Christ, living in the power of His resurrection, sharing the joy of salvation together, caring for the spiritual needs of others both within and outside. It is only when we live together this way, our spiritual hunger is satisfied! God knows it and so he has made it mandatory and not a choice.

But we need to keep in mind that there will always be one or two or even more who may disturb the faithful. I can assure you, we can never find a perfect church anywhere in the world. Further, we are not only called to worship Christ together but also bring others to Him. Within the community, we need to help faltering believers to get their theology right (our beliefs affect our behavior!) and grow into Christian maturity. Outside the community, we try to guide those who do not know Christ to experience Him personally!!

So the solution lies not in quitting going to church altogether because of some bad experiences, but in being part of a community/group of God’s people who truly live out the Christian gospel. There is no place for “I-Me-Myself-my God” kind of disposition in Christianity. God expects us to ‘grow together in Christ’!

I hope this helps. Your comments are welcome.

Answer 7

You can have faith without belonging to a religion. Religions are orginizations, or in my opinion like cults -- The want to control your belief and take your money!!
Enjoy your own version of what spirituality means...if you need to have some rituals, make your own, or borrow some.
Don't feel like you have to attend church to believe.

Answer 8

In the Bible, it says
Do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together.

This is for a reason. You see, no man is an island.

I understand where there are 'people' there will always be wrongs as well as rights, but we have to rub shoulders with people in the world - everyday, and we have to learn to deal with it. The same goes for people in the church, but that verse says in the Psalms "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life". I do this daily, whoever I am with. Its our choice, to get bitter or better.

We cannot hide ourselves away from people, take the good with the bad (no one is perfect).

Answer 9

The whole Bible is aimed to let us know about " The Kingdom of God". Kingdoms must have a King over them. Jesus is that King, although he, Jesus, is not Almighty God, Jehovah, his Father. A Kingdom implies organisation. Jesus continually asked us to pray to his Father for the Kingdom to come. Matthew 6;9,10 . So from this, you can see that it is not possible to fulfill your spiritual obligations solo. Jehovah does have an organisation on earth that is in full compliance with his organisation in heaven. Again, solo will not work.

Answer 10

You don't have to attend church to be spiritual. You can read the Bible and other spiritual books and pray on your own. You can listen to spiritual music.