Do we have to attend church to be "good Christians"?

Question

I have never had luck with finding a church I like. Every day I read the Bible. I listen to radio sermons every day and watch them on tv on the weekends. I feel like my relationship with God is a personal one and to be honest, I'm not too interested in having "fellowship" with many other people. I understand that we're supposed to attend service to deepen our knowledge and encourage one another about the Scipture, but I just am not that comfortable at church. So, do we have to physically attend church as Christians?

Answer 1

We should go to church to have that fellowship and I know it is hard to find a church that suits your needs, your personality.
If you are a believer in God and Christ pray and ask for guidance to a church. I love going to church, you get so much more out of the experience than you would reading the bible alone. It had taken my wife and I a lot of praying and a lot of trying out different churches, but we finally have found one, they teach from the bible and that is what you should look for a non-denominational church. Start off with a small congregation and see how you feel about that. Give it a couple of months before you make a decision. Keep reading, keep listening to the radio but most of all pray about it. You will be surprised with the answer you will receive.

Answer 2

Would you like to face your Lord in your disobedience?

Jesus said this, "I am giving you a new commandment to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)

And in Hebrews 10:24-25, it says, "And let us continue to consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another even more as you see the day coming nearer."

Why are these commands so important? Because the devil does not fight fairly. He and his minions are like pack animals. Peter gives us a glimpse of his tactics: "Be clear-minded and alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." (I Peter 5:8)

Pack animals will stalk a flock or herd for miles. They never attack the flock or herd, but they wait for the ill or weak to become a straggler. Then, when the straggler is separated from the flock or herd, that is when the predators attack. It is never fair. It's five or six to one.

So it is with the Christian. The Christian who has separated from the church is weaker when alone, and susceptible to attack. They are cut off from the nourishment of the Word and fellowship. Their faith suffers, and they either become ineffective in ministry, or become apostate altogether.

There is a saying about the church. It is a lot like Noah's Ark. The stench on the inside would be unbearable, except for the storm outside.

You need to find a good Bible teaching church and get fed.

Answer 3

Is attending church an issue for salvation, no. Jesus does tell us to spend time with our brothers ans sisters in Christ so that we can strengthen one another. You are absolutely right, your relationship with God is a personal one, between you and him. That is a point most self proclaimed Christians do not understand and do not bother to learn.

I felt very uncomfortable at church for a long time as well. I had trouble finding one that had a majority of the congregation appearing unfriendly and unwelcoming. Very uncomfortable. Happily, I did find one, it is a non-denominational Christian bible believing and teaching friendly come as you are congregation for the majority of the attendees. There are a few not so nice, but over all, I love it there! Maybe God kept out of other congregations until I found the right one for me. Maybe you will fit eventually as well. If your interested in help finding one, contact me. If not, sounds to me like your a God loving deep hearted loyal to Christ person, and your salvation doesn't depend on church, Christ knows your true heart!

Answer 4

There's no verse in the Bible that says that you have to go to church. One unique thing about the church is that it allows you to build relationships with other Christians and be a part of a Christian community. I know you may not be interested, but that's what God wants for you. Rick Warren wrote about this in his book "The purpose driven life". He talked about the importance of these relationships in... i think 3 or more chapters (starting in chapter 20 if i remember correctly).

I've been in your position before and i know how comfortable it is to just be you and God. But how can God FULLY use you if you're secluding yourself from the group? Open yourself up, you'd be suprised what others can teach you and you them!

Answer 5

Paul said for us to not forsake the gathering of the fellowship, but I can empathize with you. I don't follow religion, I follow Christ, I do go to church for the sake of my family, but I enjoy listening to sermons on the web. Go to oneplace.com and you'll have tons of preachers to listen to. But eventually you will find a decent church, it is wonderful when we sing and the holy spirit comes in and fills us, I have wept so many times with joy for those moments of bliss, it's indescribable. But of all the churches I have been to, it seems only the stricter ones have this event, and I'm not talking about speaking in tongues and babbling and being slain in the spirit. Those things are not of God. I'm talking about a church that has a bold preacher who tells it like it is, a good preacher can bring a message that will convict you of sins you didn't know you were committing, he doesn't point at you, it's just in the message that it hits you in the heart. God be with you.

Answer 6

Allow me to pose the answer in this way. Now, in order to be a good Christian, do you need to do as God tells us to do and to avoid doing what he says to avoid?

If God says that we are not to forsake the assembly, would that indicate that he expects us to worship and fellowship with other members of the congregation?

If God didnt expect Christians to attend church, why would he have allowed temples and even had the holy of holies within the temple? If I recall correctly, the spirit of the Lord resided within the holy of holies and to enter even mistakenly was punishable by death.

The only way that we have to show God our love for him, is by doing as he has instructed. That not only applies to church services, but to all that we are told in the Bible. Hope that helps you.

Answer 7

No you don't have to go to church. I'm sorry though that you haven't found one that you feel really serves your needs to learn the word, and fellowship with other believers.

Please open your phone book and look for a Calvary Chapel. They are not only excellent bible teaching churches, they love Jesus and are alive with the spirit of God in joy and learning.

Best wishes,

Answer 8

Yes, you cannot have a balanced relationship with God without it. fellowship is that important.

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete BY BEING LIKE-MINDED, having the same love, BEING ONE IN SPIRIT AND PURPOSE. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Answer 9

Remember, worship is for God. It is not what you think about it. The worship is for God, and the heart of worship is surrender. I see a very big difference with my faith when I started to attend my church regularly. Together we are better.

We do not have to...I just love to.

Answer 10

If we are to be like Christ, He was in the temple daily. You need others to be there to help you learn, and to pray for you and with you. Some of these TV preachers are false prophets. God knows your heart. He just wants you to come to Him with your whole heart. I can't say no, and stay home, but even in foreign countries they come together in their own homes. Find people that are willing to study with you.