Can you be a Christian without attending church?

Question

I believe I am a Christian but have attended many churchs throughout my life and are usually disappointed. My mother wants me to go to church with her (she's Independent Baptist) but I find the people and the pastor very judgemental and arrogant. They will say something to you if you are not wearing a dress or reading out of the KJV bible. And they seem to think they are the only one's "saved" or going to heaven. They seem to constantly bash other denominations.The other churches I've attended in the past the Sunday School teacher was having an affair. Also some of the elders cursed more than a sailor and had bad attitudes. I have been visiting my Aunt's church which is Episcopalian and it was different but I didn't hear any name calling and them saying they were the only ones going to heaven. Any suggestions?????

Answer 1

You can be a Christian without attending church but you are missing out on a lot of support and failing to support other Christians.

Christianity is not a solo act. It is a relationship with Christ and your fellow Christians.

All Christians make up the Body of Christ and our mission is to love and support one another.

It should be no surprise that churches are full of sinners. In church is the best place for us.

I heard a saying once, "If you find a perfect church, lets you and me join it and mess it up."

My suggestion is to keep looking for a church but don't expect to find one that is full of perfect saints.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

You can still be a Christian without attending church.

You will find that fellowship with others who believe is more helpful in your growing as a Christian. You will not find a church of perfect Christians anywhere. You can find some that seem more loving and caring, but there will always be those who attend that are still immature in living the life. If you look closely at your question, you will see that you too are being judgmental. We have to forgive one another for being shortsighted. Perhaps calling attention to those things you find offensive, done in a loving and understanding way, may make them aware of the effect they are having on you and other people. That would show that you love and care about them as well. Growth and forgiveness shared all around. You could look elsewhere, if they insist on continuing their ways. Larger churches offer a certain degree of anonymity, but the smaller ones offer more in terms of service and growth..

Answer 3

Church is not a building, Church is actually ourself, we as a belivers are the church! Church is Body of Chirst and Christ is the Head! When we go to meeting on sunday which people usually called it church, we actually go to meet the Lord, to enjoy the Lord.. If other belivers did something not appropiate according to you.. that is not your problem.. that's theire problem with the Lord!

Why you should attending the meeting?
Where is your heart? You go to the meeting because you Love the Lord and you want the Lord to grow in you? or you go to the meeting because you think that is a duty for christian? Go to attend the meeting is not a duty.. but to grow, to love the Lord more and to know the Lord more!

Why you need to dress nicely when you go to meet the Lord! For example! If you meet your boss or president or very important person! Can you dress whatever you want to dress?? Of course you will dress nicely! same as you go to intervew!

We don't go to heaven! at the end of the age! The Holy City, New Jerusalem will come out of Heaven.

"But whenever their heart turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away." 2 Corinthians 3:16

Answer 4

I am glad you are concerned. I do not believe you can be a Christian and not attend church. When you were saved you were added to Christ's body which is the church. When you come into Christ you are coming into his body that is the church, the community of believers. Remember its not about the building but the community of believers.

Well guess what? Every community of believers are made up of humans. So humans are not perfect therefore you can not find a perfect church. I personally recommend the Independent Christian Church. They are nondenominatinal, and biblically grounded. Of course I am sure there are some who do not adhere to the teachings of Christ in their leadership. The nature of being nondenominatal means that each church is different.

Finding a home church can be difficult. But find a church that is Biblically based, one where you can worship God, and be a part of the body to use your gifts in honor to God and service in His Kingdom.

Answer 5

Those aren't the churches you need. What they don't realize is that as long as you are saved, you go to heaven. It doesn't matter what version of the Bible you read, as long as you get something out of it. I would find another church, but you do not need to go to get into heaven, but it is respectful to. It doesn't matter what church you attend, because there are people in Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, and many other churches who will not go to heaven because they are not saved. So, to answer your question, yes you can be a Christian without attending Church, but I do recommend going to church, but make sure it's a good one.

Answer 6

It is hard to find a good Bible believing really Christian Church. Most churches don't even try to win souls to Christ any more.
Most don't even preach the gospel. The preacher tells stories.

If that is all you can find in your area, you are better off staying home, praying and reading God's Word. If you know the Bible well start a Bible Study Group. We need fewer churches and a lot more Bible teachers who can take the gospel into the streets, stores and offices and share God's word with people.

Answer 7

No, but the bible does say there is only one church and one faith. Read Ephessians 4:4,5,6,

If you really want toknow what the bible says start at Matthew and read all the way thfough Revelation and do this many times and about the third time through you wil find you understand more bible than most preachers, and you will know when they are adding their own opinions.

If however you want a more liberal church, you might find the Unitarian Unaversalist interesting.

Answer 8

you cannot go to a church just because someone else wants you to go. you have to find your own church. i can't tell you how many churches i went to before i found the one that i agreed with. that is up to you to decide. if they believe that they are saved and are not if you are a christian you should find in scripture where it say they are wrong and also live differently than they do. you cannot judge another person if you do the same thing they do. so get your life right (if you haven't already) then use scripture to kindly point out what is wrong and what is right.

Answer 9

The real church is made up of true believers in the resurrection and the truth. The true church doesn't consist of 4 walls and a steeple. Not everyone that goes to church is a Christian. Only God knows your heart. God asks you to examine your heart and examine the outward works (words, deeds) of others to see if others are in the faith like you. If God gives you eternal life through His son and if his son didn't lay it down on the cross for all to have the opportunity to repent of our sins and trust Jesus to save us, then we would all have to face the wrath of God and be judged according to His righteousness (and God is perfect in word, thought, and deed), then how can any Christian use Jesus' name as a curse word? I'm asking you not to judge that person, but be concerned for that supposed Christian. The same goes for deeds.

God calls us to fellowship together so we can share our troubles, concerns and celebrations. That is why we should commune together in church.

Answer 10

A person can technically be a Christian without attending church, but they would be a very disobedient one. Would you like to face your Lord in the middle of disobedience when He comes?

Hebrews 10:24-25 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."

When a Christian separates themselves from the Body of Christ, they not only deny the church the gifts that they could bring to the table, they open themselves up to attack.

Satan and his minions are a lot like pack animals. Wolves, hyenas, and the like. They never hunt fairly. They will stalk the weak, the sick, and the lame. When one of these is separated from the herd or flock, that's when the pack attacks. 5, 8, maybe even 10 predators to one. This is why Peter taught us, "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) If you allow Satan to have his way with you, your faith will be unproductive and perhaps even die.

So, you can avoid church if you like, but when you do, you are being disobedient. And that being the case, you might consider questioning if you really are in the faith. "Keep examining yourselves to see whether you are continuing in the faith. Test yourselves! You know, do not you, that Jesus Christ lives in you? Could it be that you are failing the test?" (II Corinthians 13:5)

Besides, it has been said that the church is a lot like Noah's Ark. The stench on the inside would be unbearable, except for the storm outside.