Is it okay if I just watch Charles Stanley instead of attending Sunday service?

Question

I am trying to find my way back to christ. I attended a Bible Fellowship 8 years ago but I only went for 2 years. The pastor at the church called me at home and said I had to kick my son's friend out of my home. I was a single mom at the time and I took in my teenage son's best friend when his mom died and he had no-one to take him in. He was a wonderful teenager but the pastor said it gave the appearance of evil since I was not married and this boy lived with me. I left the church after that and went back to my old ways. Now I am re-married (to a non-believer unfortunately) but I feel the lord calling me back and I want to go to church but I don't think I should go back there. Is it okay to just read my Bible alone and pray alone and walk with the Lord alone and watch Charles Stanley?

Answer 1

You would be wise to do both.

Charles Stanley never one time told you NOT to go too church. In fact, He told you several times to go. Right?

.Service With Strength
Colossians 1:10-12
Ministry isn’t something we do, but rather, it is something God does through us. So much fatigue and failure could be avoided if believers remembered that He is the source of strength. We serve Him using Spirit-provided resources. “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass,” promises the Word (1 Thessalonians 5:24). This means that the Lord assumes responsibility for enabling His children to carry out whatever work He calls them to do.
The Savior exemplifies this principle — He also did His earthly work through divine power. Upon His return from the wilderness, Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit, and He came preaching a Gospel of repentance. Here is what He said of Himself: “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works” (John 14:10).
As co-heirs with Christ, believers are entitled to access that same spiritual strength. What a comfort to know that a divinely ordained ministry is not in our hands alone! Some other person may be able to do the work better or offer wider experience, but God does not look for servants who are gifted. He instead seeks out those willing to live in His strength. If we have done all we can through the power of the Holy Spirit, then we never have to wonder if we have done enough.

Are you discouraged? Tired? Ready to give up? God is ready to restore you to joyful service if you will simply ask Him to do His work through you.


I would go to another church. why? You just have hard feelings now. You might as well start fresh and go. If you feel like you can go back to that church someday, then do it. :)

.

Answer 2

It is until the Lord leads you to assemble yourself with a local congregation. Pray for someone to come to you that is of the Lord so that you might know. My husband and I had left a Bible Baptist church and felt like we were floudering without a church even though we listened to Dr. Erwin Lutzer from the Chicago Moody Bible Church and thoroughly enjoyed it, but I began to pray for a local fellowship and it wan't two weeks that a church not two blocks from our house had a new pastor and he was just out visiting and introducing himself. We were convicted immediately that this was where God wanted us to go - so I did some background research on the church to make sure it was legit and held sound Biblical doctrines and we now attend there. God doesn't ever leave floundering. You're on the right track - just keep running the race. You may find you enjoy some of the variety of ministries on OnePlace.com (I don't think it's org or net). It has 100's of ministries that connect into it online and you can listen to the various minsters. I believe Charles Stanley is on it as well. Dr. Stanley will give you good grounded doctrine so the Lord is already leading you - Lord, grant this woman to stay her path and to recognize you are leading her and you will continue, even into a local fellowship when it's your timing. Amen

Answer 3

I'm sorry your pastor said such a thing. You were very kind to help your son's friend out, after an unfortunate event.
Have you tried finding a new church? Frankly I wouldn't go back to that church either.
I don't see anything wrong with watching Charles Stanley preach, he is a very wise man.
Remember that through watching tv you are missing out on fellowship with other believers. It may be good for you to talk to others who feel the same way as you do!
Either way, I'm happy that you're starting you build your relationship with God again. Take Care!

Answer 4

The meaning of church is a group of people sharing and learning about the same faith. Ponder for a moment, though, that there is a difference between religion and spirituality. Religious people are more for showing others how much they believe in their faith and perhaps try to make everyone else share that belief. Spiritual people share a relationship with God no matter where they are, when it is, or which God they believe in, and everyone can see it. I recommend you decide whether you want to be more religious, or more spiritual, then seek out people of the same character. There are churches out there full of wonderful people of all different denominations. There are more often than not more hypocrites than truly religious or spiritual people within the church community. I was taught not to be upset about the presence of the hypocrites, but realize that they are the ones who need it the most. Also, I personally believe that you can be just as close to God alone in your bedroom as you can in a crowded church. Good luck.

Answer 5

Charles Stanley would tell you that you shouldn't let a bad experience with one church keep you from being connected with the body of Christ. The Lord has given you spiritual gifts that were designed to play a role in working with others. Continue to watch Dr Stanley and to read the Bible and pray for God to lead you to where He would have you get plugged in with other believers.

Answer 6

It sounds like you just need to find a decent church that teaches scripture and gives you a chance to be around others who you can relate to so your faith will be reinforced. Charles Stanley is a very good teacher, although it'makes it easy to fall by the wayside without being among your peers. You can become closer to The Lord by studying his word and talking to him in prayer. That builds a strong relationship with him. Try a brethren church, they aren't judgemental and they will allow you feel loved. The last pastor you had sounds like a pastor stuck in the old testament. In the new testament it is grace that saves you because of your faith. The pastor needs to examine the log in his own eye before picking at the splinter in his eye.

Answer 7

He is attending a Memorial Day Service in Chicago and spending some time with his family. While I think this is fine, I feel that it has caused more hateful garbage being spewed from certain groups. I am sure that this is not the first time that the VP has placed the wreath at the foot of the unknown solider instead of the POTUS. Add: My friend almost had a stroke when she heard this on the news? FOX, of course, that Obama wasn't going because he will be planning a party for Paul McCartney.

Answer 8

Jesus wants us to worship among his people but he understands some who can not. I must tell you this, I watch Charles Stanley as well. I just love him and the way he preaches. If you haven't already call for your monthly magazine, you follow from day to day in fellowship from it. He has really helped me in my life through his sermons. God Bless you and keep watching, ok?

Answer 9

Hello, first if you are looking for A "Bible based" church then don't pick a sunday church, and I say that because "the seventh day is the sabbath of The Lord thy God" try a Seventh day Adventist church in your area, no where does it say Sabbath was moved to sunday, Jesus as was His custom went to church on the Sabbath, in fact He got into more troubles for doing things on the Sabbath then for any other reason. God bless you in a search for A church "to the law and the testamony if it is NOT according to these it is because there is no light in it" try a free bible lessons www.itiswritten.com and God bless your family, want to talk to me email instead of messenger [e-mail] God bless your family.

Answer 10

Who says you have to go back to that church? I mean if God is calling you back there then you should go back, but if Hes just calling you back to go to a church then check around your area and find one that you feel is better.