Are there any other Christains out there who do not go to church?

Question

I do not go to church because I am not into that social scene. I have had HORRIBLE experiences with church phonies that I just do not want to talk about.Please do not tell me to try another church, I have tried several and had problems at all of them from nosy people to people taking advantage of me or my family.

Answer 1

Me. I even Pastored my own Church...go figure.

Answer 2

Yes. To make a long story short; the congregations I have attended and 'the church' are not the same. I assumed the difference was a matter of growth; presently it has been my experience that was a bad assumption about them so far. (I was a deacon at one time).
Example; 2 Tim. 3:16-17 says 'All scripture is given by inspiration of God...'. Yet people are binding that the 'old testament' is Genesis-Malachi; which comes from the index (some here may call it a Table of Content). That item is not scripture!!!
Look at Genesis; many items in Genesis, are what atheists and agnostics may deem 'common sense'. (The scriptural old testament is the law of Moses. Can one have the law of Moses before Moses was born (Exodus 2))? It is important as the 'old testament' was done away when Christ died on the cross (and the veil rent; symbolizing the old testament)..
Many years ago, a common business sayings went something like this; It is hard to soar with eagles, when one associates with turkeys. (Does God call us to be separate from the world)?
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Answer 3

I grew up in a family that never went to church. I was the only one, and even at that I went sporadically. However, as a child/young adult, I saw the Hippocrates in these churches. I stopped going.

I never stopped having faith though. Recently I began going to church again. Yes, some things never change. Just as any work place, school etc. will never change. There are always going to be things we don't like or agree with.

I missed church, desperately. The reason I am there is not to figure out why the head trustee continually complains about why she never gets help, although I've offered a hundred times. Answer: she likes to complain and do it all herself. I could go on.

I enjoy the sermons, the study group, most of the people and go from there.

My "horrible" experiences weren't unique growing up. I don't know what yours was, but I must say to you, that as long as you walk in truth and faith, you will find your comfort in church. God Bless.

Answer 4

I know what you mean. My family and I have had some pretty bad experiences too. unfortunately, you put humanity into the picture and something great like faith gets ruined. I know you said not to tell you to try another church but it is a good idea. Have you heard of the rising popularity in house churches? I think they're worth a shot. They're smaller groups so I think there is less of a chance of hypocrites and backstabbing. Usually you get to be really good friends with the people you go to church with and its easier to tell your really good, Christian friend that they are being jerks (of course, you'd say it in a much more loving way. haha). In big, established churches, the cliques are formed, the hypocrites are there, the older people are trying to control the younger people and vice versa. A house church could be your answer.

The other thing I would suggest is find a church whose doctrine you like and just do their smaller groups thing. A lot of churches have Bible studies for singles, college and career age, married adults, adults with children, divorced people. If the church is smart, they have a group for just about anyone. You need to find a group of Christian friends so that you have someone to relate to and so that you have someone to lift you up.

I'm pretty jaded on the whole church thing too, but you have to ask God to help you through that as I have many times before. I'm human and I still fall into the same "church sucks" "People suck" mentality but we have to learn to forgive and forget just as Jesus taught. It's good for you. Believe me, before I let go of what my old church did to my family and I, I was cynical and being ripped apart inside. Don't let these hypocrites do that to you. Let God do His work within you and let the judgement be on them from God. He'll take care of you and he'll take care of them (hopefully he'll change their hearts so that they won't hurt anyone else).

Answer 5

I used to feel the same way. I felt like the small church community I was a member of was full of gossip. When I moved to a new, larger city, I began going back to chruch. I didn't know anyone here and I went to church JUST to go to church, not the social activities that were available. I still go to Mass fairly frequently. I found that without the social distractions, I feel closer to my personal spirituality.

Answer 6

I belong to the United Methodist church and I like the church as a whole, but I rarely attend services. I have no particular reason, its just not my thing right now. I have not had bad experiences with anyone at my church, I just prefer to worship in my own way.

Answer 7

I felt the same way for many years. About 5 years ago I decided to try and find a church and was lucky enough to find it on the first try. I've been going ever since and I have benefited greatly from it. This church is very inclusive. I felt welcome and wanted from the minute I walked into the church. The service is contemporary and casual dress and I feel very comfortable. I feel very fortunate. I hope the same for you one day.

Answer 8

I can just imagine your torment as I suffered through years of my mom dragging me to the most hypocritical church around. The so called 'caretaker' was also my basketball and running coach and he'd call me names like monster, etc. He'd call us lazy and blame his depression on us 12 year old girls not winning. Try to carry that burden when you're a child. He was a maniac, but yet he was the 'pillar of the community'. Incidently, his wife later went completely blind leaving him to care for her.
Anyway, I look to spirituality, it works for me much better than church. Do you remember when Jesus ran the moneychangers out of the temple? That is a good indication that God and Jesus would not tolerate hypocrisy. You can believe in God and still not have to go to church. I find it more personal to pray in private anyway. Some good books to start with are; 'Illuminata' by Marianne Williamson and any book by Wayne Dyer or Depak Chopra. I hope this helps you in your quest. God Bless You.

Answer 9

Wow, I am the same as you. I consider myself to be a christian. But as far as for "religious gathering", I don't attend any church services. I am tired of the hypocrasy and the phonies. I can just as good worship God wherever I am. The church is just a building. Its the attitude of the heart, not the location.

Answer 10

I believe with all my heart but the last time I went to Church was 1989. You can have your own personal relationship with God you don't need to go to Church to prove you're a believer

Answer 11

Of course there are.. I'm one of them..
I dont go to church so often.....I think that no church is needed to believe in God, or for follow what He teachs us.
Even, you can "talk" with Him anyplace....Which better place to be in touch with Him that nature??? or your own home?
Some of us are better christians tha many of the ones that go to the church every sundays !!!!