Why don't I like going to Church?

Question

I'm decently spiritual. I read and study things in the Bible occasionally, I pray at least once a day (mostly more) and my faith seems extremely strong. I don't, however, like going to Church. I'm quite private about my faith and like keeping it to myself unless I have a chance of helping a non-believer or clarifying something for a believer. Am I fulfilling my duties in God's/Jesus' eyes, or am I flawed?

Answer 1

This is a Quote I like:

for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

The important part is that you faith; true faith comes from within thourgh a personnal relationship with god, not the church. they were ment to be guides not leaders.

The bottom line is your were given free will for a reason, you make the choice on how to or how not to serve God. No one can answer this question for you, all we can do is give guidance. The question you should be asking is "do you beleive you are fulfilling you duties". Because only you can answer that.

Best of luck

Answer 2

You're estimation of yourself is just that "yours" not Gods.
First of all make certain that you are truly saved. You probably don't like Church for the same reasons most don't..Nonetheless Christ said "Do not forsake the fellowship".."Gather together"

Becoming a Christian is the most incredible event that will ever take place in your life. You have found peace with your Creator. You have found everlasting life! Be assured--God will never leave you nor forsake you. He has brought you this far, and He will complete the wonderful work He has begun in you. God knows your every thought, your every care, your deepest concerns.
do you have "assurance" of your salvation? The Bible says to "make your calling and election sure " (2 Peter 1:10, italics added), so, let's go through a short "check list" to make sure that you are truly saved:
Are you aware that Jesus is the second person of the Trinity, and he has two natures..completely divine...AND completely human. (1 Timothy 3:16,), and that He died for the sins of the world?
Did you come to the Savior because you had sinned?
Did you "repent" (turn away from) and put your faith in Jesus?
Are you convinced that He suffered and died on the cross, and that He rose again on the third day?

God acquits us from the Courtroom of Eternal Justice on the grounds that Jesus Christ paid our fine. We are "justified" (made right with God) by His suffering death. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was God's seal of approval of the fact that His precious blood was sufficient to pay the fine.

Can a Christian survive apart from a church? Some Christians have no choice. They are trapped in a hospital bed, or working in an isolated area where no church exists. And God is certainly sufficient to care for their needs. You can still get to heaven if you can't go to church.
But even though it's technically possible to live the Christian life in isolation, it's certainly not the norm.

When you become a Christian, you are called into a relationship with God (1 Corinthians 1:9). But I John 1:3 makes it clear that we enter a fellowship that goes two ways: with God and with other Christians.

Answer 3

could be a lot of things
could be you don't want to get up early on Sunday
could be you never found a church you could be comfortable in
could be you've been burned by a church group

but Paul said

Hebrews 10:24-26

24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

I think you are missing out on opportunities to both bless and be blessed and I think that is a vital part of the walk. Jesus said "seek and you will find" and I believe if you seek, the Lord will guide you to a good fellowship. I think you need to be in fellowship with like minded people so that when you stumble, there are brothers and sisters to help you back on your feet

Answer 4

I think you sound great the way you are. I know some people will tell you that you're not truly with God if you're not a church, but says who. I'm no bible expert but I know someone has a verse that even implies it is indeed not necessary to go to church. I don't think I like going to church because it is very political (the church sucks up to the rich people, and treats the poor people like lesser citizens), and because I don't like being told how to think I modern issues (like stem cell research). I think you should do what you feel is right and, at least my opinion is, that by living a good life, God will take notice

Answer 5

We are instructed by Paul to not forsake the gathering of the fellowship, but I can empathize with you. For three years after turning to Christ I never went to church. My walk with Christ was wonderful. I didn't get confused about God until I went to church. But, on the other hand, I go to church with my wife and three kids, and it has become a greater experience than I had expected. It took a while to find a real church, but I'm glad we found one. When the Spirit comes upon us, it is so wonderful, nothing like when I was not going. There's power in numbers.

Answer 6

Because it's boring, or unappealing to your particular sensibilities. Try a different church. Visit the whole range from ultra-high liturgical (Orthodox, high Anglican) to completely unstructured (Quaker). Find what works for you and go there.

But also, feel no obligation to go. Sometimes it's better to stay home and worship by making love to your wife or cooking breakfast for your kids.

Answer 7

Maybe you realized church is full of a bunch of self-righteous hypocrites and you can do better on your own. Personally, I'm not against going to church, but I read the bible, interpret the word, and pray to God much better on my own than what some cookie-cutter seminary-taught preacher can ever do for me.

Answer 8

Your just fine John. Don't let anyone convince you that God was not smart enough to create you perfect right from the beginning.

I suggest you get a copy of the course in miracles. It is written for people in our situation.

It brings you close to God without religion.

Works for me.

Love and blessings don

Answer 9

Perhaps your church is not actually practicing what it preaches. What faster way is there for putting adherants off than to "say but not perfom".Matthew 23:3 Look for a religion that does live up to what they teach and attatch yourself to them

Answer 10

Does your church allow you to participate in the worship service? If yes, then are you participating with your entire heart, soul, and mind?

If your church does not have the type of service that allows you to participate, I suggest joining the Catholic Church