I am Christian and usually attend a non-denominational church. I've been going there for 6 yrs.?

Question

In the last year, I've become more involved with the people at church (bible studies, functions) only to realize that many of these people are hypocrites. I am not perfect either, just as bad as these people.

One thing I used to like abt church was that it was between me and Jesus, not other people. Getting to know the church people has been a downer for me.

What do you think abt me NOT going to church but studying the bible by myself instead? Would that be bad?

For tithing, I could tithe to the local mission for poor & homeless people.

What do you think?

Answer 1

Girl, I think you would be surprised at how many of us have done exactly what you are talking about doing. I have not been regularly attending for a long time now. This really needs to be between you and God, because it is so easy to stop reading the Bible and staying near to God. I will pray for you. May God bless you.

Answer 2

I understand exactly what you are talking about because I had the same experience. So, I prayed about it and began looking for another church and found one where the first thing you hear is the pastor tell how imperfect he is and he is a humble man. Fellowship is tne of the most important parts of being a Christian but the most important thing is realizing that Christians are just sins who love Christ. They are no better no worse then anyone else and they know it. People will always disappoint you but you cannot isolate yourself and never have anything to do with them. I would suggest you pray about it and let God lead you to a church that fulfills your needs and provides good fellowship that is edifying to you but human also. Do not give up on church because someone disappointed you. In the long run it is not about us who already love Christ but those that do not know Christ.

Answer 3

I am sorry you had a bad experience with people at your church. The biggest problem church goers have is they want to be entertained, catered to and amused. It is an event for them and not a way to worship God and fellowship with other beleivers. Let me give you a brief history of the word "church". It is translated from the Greek ekklesia. This simply means "the called out assembly". Before Christianity the ekklesia in Greek terms meant the body of men summoned (called upon) to gather together to discuss politics and economy and basically govern the city state they lived in. They were basically a called out body to serve a specific function. The "Church" derived in the first century as a group of people called out from paganism, Judaism and other worldly practices to worship the Lord Jesus Christ together and to fellowship with one another. It is a shame that Churches today can not come together in order to achieve a common purpose in worship and fellowship. You can very much so worship God on your own but I would still encourage you to look for another church because the advantages of Christian Church worship and fellowship FAR OUTWEIGH the advantages of a lonely worshiper.

Answer 4

I would either change my attitude and stay or find another church. You will never find a perfect church but some churches are more spiritual than others and do better at promoting spiritual growth in their congregation than others. There are some people who are farther in their spiritual journey than others. You need to get to know those who are in your church. The trouble with studying the bible alone is that you have no one with more knowledge or growth to "bounce" ideas off of. You need that discussion, questioning to grow. "Where two or more are gathered in my name..."Don't give up on church. I did for a long time and when I did finally find a good church, I was able to grow so much more.

Answer 5

I'm sorry your experience with the church and Christians hasn't been positive, but you need to find a local congregation to worship with for at least two reasons, (other than I think the Bible teaches it) "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together..."

1) You need the accountability of other Christians--just as you notice others who are hypocrites, others can notice things about your Christian walk and point them out to you and help you grow as a Christian. Ideally you will be challenged by the pastor's sermons as well as the group Bible study and even the interaction with the other Christians to not be "fake" but to be real not just at church, but throughout the week.

2) The other Christians need you--if you see something that is hypocritical, the Lord may be using you to hold them accountable in "truth and love" as the Scripture teaches. Maybe no one has ever called them on it before, and you may be just the push they need to deal with this sin in their life. If you aren't getting anything out of it, maybe that's God's way of saying you have something to offer them.

If you drop out of church, you will be "keeping your own counsel", and trust me, that is not wise. It is too easy for Satan to trip you up and make you think you are serving the Lord when you really are getting off track.

I urge you to find a church that is on fire for the Lord where the people are real and trying to walk the walk as well as talk the talk. Realize that NO Christians are perfect, just forgiven, so try not to set your eyes on others. If you do that, you will always be disappointed and disillusioned. Rather, set your eyes on Christ, and see your fellow Christians at church as others who are along the same path as you on the journey--some ahead, some behind. The apostle Paul used this analogy (in Hebrews 13 or so, I think) as a race. If someone slips and falls, don't fall with them or quit, help them up and keep going. I'm paraphrasing big time, but that's the gist of it.

I hope you will continue to worship in a Bible-preaching church somewhere. You may find that a mainstream denomination with more structured doctrine has less room for error and confusion that is unfortunately often the hallmark in non-denominational churches. See if you can find one that is closely aligned with your beliefs and worship style preferences. Good luck and God bless you!

Answer 6

The Bible says that a Christin should seek out fellowship with fellow believers;
Hebrews 10:24,25- And let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near.

But that does not mean that you should stick with a bunch of hypocrites. Jesus said his true followers will be known by their love (John 13:34, 35)

After a lot of searching, I found a lot of love among the Jehovah's Witnesses.

Learn more:
www.watchtower.org

Answer 7

Look for another church. All of us are sinners, and we mess up sometimes. The Bible says we are to bring our tithes into our local New Testament church, so you'd be robbing God. You can tithe and still donate money to charities, though. When you say they are hypocrites, I'm sure not all of them are that way, Satan plants people in churches to destroy them, that is the ones that are on fire for God. Pray about it, and see if God wants you to remain in this church or to find a new one.

Answer 8

Dear Friend,

Believe it or not, your going to find hypocrites wherever you go. But, because you can "see" what is going on ...perhaps you can be an asset to your church. How? By being a Godly role model. What does the word Christian mean? It means...Christ-like (imitators of Jesus). Christians are to take on the character of Jesus Christ. It is not something that the flesh can do, but only by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Remember too...that Christianity is NOT a religion, a function, a group study, etc. It is... a PERSONAL relationship with the living person of Jesus Christ. (grin)

Pray dear friend. Ask the Holy Spirit to SHOW you and direct you as to what you are to do. You...along with other Christians are NOT an only child; but a FAMILY of believers, the Bride of Christ, the Church, who are NOT yet perfect, but striving to be "LIKE" Jesus, and preparing ourselves for the Bridegroom.

Focus on YOUR relationship with Jesus, and pray for those you are concerned about.

May our Lord Jesus direct your path and equip you with the wonderful plans He has for your life.

Blessings,

lostnsavd...

Answer 9

Sadly, I have found my involvement with church to be detrimental to me and my health spiritually and even otherwise. Maybe it was the kinds of churches I connected myself to, although they seemed fine on the surface. They were also mostly non-denominational ones... (I have also gone to cirtain denominational ones of just about every kind). These ones I speak of, I tried with for at least a year... if you do go back to a church, do alot of research and go to it at least once. If it seems reasonable to you and you have prayed about it alot, then you may want to keep trying with it longer, but I'd be real careful, even so.

I guess I'm just one that keeps trying and trying and trying even though the going just keeps getting tougher... you gotta know when to stop and take a breather I suppose, but it took a long time for me to learn that... and that wasn't good.

I have been happiest and closest to God when I got away from church and did just as you suggest. Do not forget worship though. Put on your best praise and worship music. and worship... worship... worship... God loves that.

Tithing is a good idea too. Make sure you give to a reputable charity... sometimes it is difficult to tell with that as it is with a church, but do give as much as you can when you find one.

You might consider trying a Catholic church, that's what I'm currently doing. I'm not going because I believe every single thing that they (nor ANY denomination) believe(s), I'm going there because they have alot of opportunities to serve Christ... they have alot of programs and ritual (I need that because sometimes i forget what i learn in scripture and repetition helps my weak mind to remember). You can even become an Oblate or if your position in life permits, become a nun or a monk.... hallelujah!!! \o/ =o)

*edit: I say the above because I care less about being right about everything, and care more about how I can serve Christ easier and better.

Answer 10

I could agree with your statement. There is politics and peer pressure expectations in all organized groups. Churches are still lead by men(people) that want to be thee greatest among the group. Like the argument between the disciples at the last supper. That is when Jesus got up and served.

I say get up and server. I get great Sunday morning sermons on TV with Joyce Meyers, Joel Osteen and Dr. Charles Stanley.

I believe Jesus when He said He was going to teat down the church and rebuild it in three days. The three days to me is the time to resurrect and send the Holy Spirit to all believers. Church can be done in the heart of a person and with God's word. Remember God is pleased and bless what is done in private and not before men for all to see.

Do how you feel lead. Keep close connection with your spiritual needs and go with God all of your days.