Why do you think participating in a church an important part of Christianity?

Question

I think it is an important part - but what are your views?

Why cant you just read the bible at home and watch a televangilist?

Answer 1

Yes, the worship is for God. If we get something out of it, great, but the worship is really for God. : )

Answer 2

Well Gaila, first of all... you don't have to be active in the church to be a good Christian. You see... if God leads you to be active then good for you but don't do it just because everyone else is doing it. This seems to be a serious thing will believers now days. Anyhow, can you tell me why there is a church on almost every corner and there's less people getting saved? The scripture says that it's important to fellowship and break bread with your members but don't replace the servanthood unto GOD with the servanthood unto the church b/c they're two diff. things. Now, if youre talking about just 'being present'... well... of course, it's better to do that but some people can't attend church every single Sunday, Wednesday, Tuesday, etc. so they watch TV. this doesn't make you better than them or them worse than you... we are all sinners and we are all tryin somehow (most of us, I hope) to be better...period!

Answer 3

A good question. First it is a directive of God. "Keep the Sabath" Second, while I cannot finde it right now, we are directed to keep fellowship with the body of believers. Through this we can lift each other up in prayer and help in many other ways both for the believers and the lost. Also, God has given some the gift of Preaching and Teaching. We should find those people and listen to what God is telling them to tell us.

This is the closest I could find: Acts 20:28
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

Answer 4

Jesus used the word church 2 times.

1. Once to tell Peter that he would be involved with the building of the church (Matthw 16:18)

2. To instruct people how to deal with a believer that wont confess his sin. (Matthew 18:17)

Jesus never said our church is within us. That is more a gnostic belief and for people that want to try to get out of going to church and giving back to God. That simply isnt Biblical

On the other hand, the church is very Biblical.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." -Matthew 28:19-20

Do other organizations out there make disciples of Jesus other than churches? baptize new believers? Bible teaching?

Gods will is done through todays church. Some of them may be corrupt, but that is our challenge is to make church a great place where Gods will is done, we fellowship with one another, we worship together, give back to God, take communion, make new believers, and take care of peoples needs. How does all that stuff get done "within you?"

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. -Hebrews 10:25

Answer 5

I don't think it is... 99% of ALL Christians, that attend chuch... and profess to be Christians, practice their religion and NOT Christianity. A TRUE Christian actively performs those teachings and deeds of Christ, every day of his or her life. Love thine enemies, love thy neighbor, bless those who despitefully use you. Heal the sick, comfort the dying, pledge all your wealth to those who need it, live a life of poverty and service to God. Everything else; churches, cathedrals, evangelists, singing hymns, praying to the saints and the virgin Mary, are nothing but worthless window dressing, meant to make those 99% feel good about themselves.

If you believe that ANY of the things you consider important; attending church, or reading the bible at home, or watching a televangelist are relevant to being a true Christian, you're one of the 99%. In the last 100 years, I can think of only 2 people in the 1%... Dr. Albert Schweitzer and Mother Teresa. Both spent their entire lives in the service of God and to helping the poor, sick and needy.

Answer 6

The bible says to not forsake the assembling of yourselves.

Its all about relationships. Relationship with God and people. Its about fellowship. Its about helping and being helped.

Granted, most churches today are nowhere near this idea anymore as they love tradition more than people. However, church can be in your living with a couple of good friends discussing spiritual matters.

Answer 7

Functioning in society has a good influence on the mind. We are our brothers keeper, contrary what Cain said after he killed his brother.
actually I do stay home and listen to the radio and hook up on the internet.
I dont have anything more i can contribute to a church, most churches would just excommunicate me for teaching what I believe anyway.
The bible does say do not forsake the gathering of saints. but i say if going to church becomes more evil than staying away it becomes better to not go at all. If you cant trust everyone in your church even your best freinds! than its just as well to say goodbye.

Answer 8

From the very beginning, Christianity has been a religion of community. People gather to share their stories and faith, to pray as a group, to support each other through hard times, to celebrate the good times, etc. It's an extended family. For those who celebrate the Eucharist, it is especially important to gather with others as one of the aspects of Eucharist is the shared meal.

Yes, there are some people for whom private meditation and pray is most fruitful, but many of them will often gravitate to lives of isolation anyway or join a religious community. (That's been my personal experience, at least.)

Answer 9

Because once a person has been saved and baptized, they are now part of the body of Christ, and the body of Christ is the church. Just like a hand, if it is severed from the body, will wither and die, so will a Christian who is separated from the body of Christ. Their faith will wane and they will fall prey to doctrines of demons. A hand cannot tell the eye, "I don't need you", and the ear cannot tell the foot "I don't need you". All parts of the body work together for good. They cannot work separately from each other. Such is with the members of the body of Christ.

Answer 10

well i'm agnostic but i don't necessarily think that going to a church makes you a better religious person and there are some who stay at home and read their bibles and live moral lives but i suppose people go to church because they might have questions that need to be answered that maybe they don't understand certain things that they are reading

Answer 11

That's like asking why go a bar when you can drink at home. Or why go to a concert when you can listen to a CD. Whatever floats your boat. People go to church to socialize, to be part of the mob, to jump up and down and wave their arms, to meet chicks, etc etc.