Do I Have To Go To Church To Be/Stay A Christian???

Question

There are several people who have mentioned this to me and I wanted to get some feedback about this...whatchya think?

Answer 1

Heb 10:25 says to "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together".

When do you get together with other Christians for fellowship, prayer, praise and worship if not at church?

Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you a car, but going to church gives you an opportunity to be a better Christian.

Answer 2

Try a Biblical answer instead of what people think...

Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together. Some are in the habit of doing this. Instead, let us cheer each other up with words of hope. Let us do it all the more as you see the day coming when Christ will return.

"Join a church" isn't a scriptural idea either: Acts 2:47 They praised God. They were respected by all the people. Every day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved... God added people to "their number" (the believers) as they were saved. In the New Testament the words, "church" "believers" "Christians" "saints" and "saved" all refer to the same people. God designates those who become members of it. It was not the subject of a vote, etc. as a person moved to a new area and began to worship in a new place. In the New Testament there was only one church... Matt 16:18 Here is what I tell you. You are Peter. On this rock I will build my church. The gates of hell will not be strong enough to destroy it.

Answer 3

The Bible calls the church the "body of Christ". That means that church is not a place, but it is people. That is the church is made up of Christ's followers.

A lot of people don't go to church because they say there are too many hypocrites, they don't get anything from it, etc. And this is true, churches have always, and will continue to have many problems. While having problems, there are also many good points. I think you'll find and most churche services, there will always be at least one thing that inspires, encourages, or edifies you. That's the Holy Spirit. When people gather together in "God's name" it gives the Spirit a chance to come to life. People do and say things that they may not while in another setting.

Don't feel you ever "have" to go to church, unless you are under your parents/ caregivers roof, in that case, God asks you to honor your Mother and Father that you may live long in the land the Lord is giving you. But God wants us to not have a complaining heart. Rejoice in the Lord always! Phil. 4:4

Answer 4

I dont think going to church regularly is indicative of the sort of christian you are. The concept of church is great, fraternity btw God's people, "When two or three are gathered, He is with them" but many churches have become so adulterated and corrupted that its frustrating. There's a starbucks at my dad's church, these mega churches with pools, golf courses and "weekend retreats" are inviting the material things that already corrupt our normal lives, why then bring it into God's sanctuary??? Church should be coming together to pray and praise God and just chill with other christians...keep it simple! Many people go to church every sunday to abate their feelings of guilt at the crap sinful lives they lead during the week. These same hypocrites are the ones that will condemn everyone else for not going to church every sunday and even during the week, because they cannot comprehend that others are not so filled with guilt and sins that they do not have to go to church all the time to appear outwardly righteous! it is the type of christian you are inside and the way you lead your life that matter. Remeber only God can judge you!

Answer 5

Of course not! You carry your spirituality with you, I find that a lot of people who actually go to church are people who think they are being righteous and virtuous and think their once a week showing up is enough, so don't make the effort with their fellow man as much and may even wrongly consider themselves superior because they go to church and their neighbour doesn't.
The people who take their church around with them in their head and don't wax on about being Christian/insert own religion here, they are the ones who are sat in the presence of God. It is about what you do, not where you do it. That's why God is everywhere, so you can be free.

Answer 6

Not really. What Church do, if you find a good one, is offer support. The Bible says to encourage one another. The Church Building is a place for like minds to meet, though that becoming more debatable today. But, the Church Building does not save a person, Jesus saves.

Answer 7

It depends on which group you choose to believe.

If you're Catholic, you need to participate at Mass every Sunday and every designated Holy Day. It's a basic precept (law) of the church.

Incidentally, and contrary to what many think, there is no requirement for Catholics to contribute any specific sum of money to the church, no requirement to tithe.

If you're not Catholic, anything goes.

No matter what, anyone who doesn't fully participate in the work and worship of the church is going to miss out on a lot of great stuff.

Answer 8

Not necessarily. You can join a church that you fee comfortable in, get baptized, and be a part of the church community but to actually become a Christian, no, it is not a requirement to be a member of a denominational or nondenominational church. Belief in Jesus as your personal savior is sufficient enough.

Answer 9

One benefit of going to church is to learn and grow. God can blow your mind with all of His knowledge and information. And you can do better in life when you receive it. You are supposed to want to know more about Him. If you're not growing, God won't know you.

Also, you hear what God has to say on a broader scale (to mankind) in church. It's not just about you. Jesus established the church for us to be a part of it. Also, it's hard to maintain yourself on a righteous path without support. There is so much out there looking to tempt you away.

Try to connect yourself with the church in some way. But be very careful what church you get involved with. If it isn't the Catholic Church, make sure it is a place that teaches. Make sure they know what they're talking about. Most important, make sure they know how to lead men and how to teach them how to be men. Otherwise, you'd be better off on your own.

Answer 10

no, to be a Christian, you need only believe that you need the gift of Christ's sacrifice, and accept the gift of salvation...a Christian is NOT defined as someone who sits in a pew on sunday, a Christian is a follower of Christ...
that being said, i will 'testify' that i really enjoy going to church...i love the music, i love being with other Christians, praising God and loving Him and each other...i love the ideas and viewpoints expressed by other Christians, i even love the sermons, because there is a lot that i can take with me to study, think about, pray about, and apply to my own life...
i'm not about to advertise for a particular denomination or congregation...i will close with this...the church is not a building, it is a family of believers...