What do you think of this idea I have?

Question

I don't like going to a congregational church, so I thought I would make my home into a sanctuary where I worship the lord. The only member would be me. That way it could just be god and me, so I don't have to worry about other people judging me and distracting me.

Plus, I am a quiet and reclusive person and feel most so called christian people wouldn't want me in their church anyway.

Answer 1

I think that even Jesus in the bible said this is acceptable.

Answer 2

Since Jesus sacrifice on the cross for our sins we are able to receive the Holy Spirit which indwells within all of Gods children.
We have become the Lords temple because within all of us who have been saved lies the Holy of Holies which is the Holy Spirit.
So in effect you are the church and not a building as in Old Testament times.
The only reason why our Father would encourage us to go to church is so we can meet our fellow brothers and sisters and glorify Him together as one body.
Sure you can worship God alone in your home and that's alright but if you want a church that will accept you and you can feel comfortable with then you'll need to pray about it and ask God to pick the right church out for you and He will.
Church can be a really fun place to go to and if you don't know anyone or have any family a Church can become a very important part of your life as you get connected with people who love God just as much as you do.
Just avoid religion as much as possible and worship God in Spirit which is what Jesus wants us to do.
And if you feel you cannot do this in a church but only in your home then that's perfectly OK so don't worry about it.
God bless you my friend!

Answer 3

I like your idea, but I think the key to the Christian life is balance.

Have you heard of the "Fathers of the Desert"? You can read about them on Wikipeida, and another good site to start with is http://hometown.aol.com/fatherpius/desert.html

Even the earliest Christian hermits, living in the desert, as did Christ for 40 days and 40 nights, gathered periodically to worship the Lord in community. They never forgot that Jesus said, "Where two or more are gathered in My name, I am in their midst."

Most of us ultimately find our way to God by learning to serve - and be served by - other people. God will use others' faults, that irritate you so much, to bring you closer to Him, and to teach you patience and humility, which we all need to learn (especially yours truly!!!)

As for others judging you: please ask yourself how you can be sure that they are judging you. Most people are caught up in their own issues and concerns; they have barely time to give their neighbor a fleeting moment of attention. Sure, if they do, it will often be "snarky" attention. But you realize, that if this is truly the case, then these people have a long way to go before they can be considered to be deeply Christian. They are not worth being distracted by.

By all means, spend time alone with the Lord, but don't neglect also to find some deeply Christian individuals and devote yourself to getting to know them, as well.

Good luck in your search, and may God richly bless you.

P.S. _I_ would want you in my Church. I think you sound terrific!

Answer 4

You can do that. I did that for awhile. But then I found a church that makes me fell comfortable. I found that going to church has brought my relationship with God to a new level. I feel closer than ever. I know that going to church did that. You go to church for yourself so don't let others get in your way.

Answer 5

Even that goes against God. God uses other people that we worship with and fellowship with to help us and to be help to others that may be going through something you aready have.

Hebrews 10:24-25 "An let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assemlbing of ourselves together, as it the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much more as you see the Day approaching."

Answer 6

Isolating yourself from other believers is never really a very good idea - it can make you weak and vulnerable to temptation - think how Satan would rejoice if he could keep God's children from meeting together in worship and praise to God.

I hope I don't sound too judgmental; I'm really preaching to myself right now. I haven't gone to church in about five years.

Answer 7

the actual church is just a building. it is the people and the worship and the fellowship that makes the church a church. we had a whole sermon about this. so if you can worship in your own home then i would say your home would be your church and that this is okay

Answer 8

The point of the church is to provide christians with a support system and a source of accountability. Left to our own devices we can be rather naughty.
On that note we are also called to spend time with Him alone so you got it half right.

Answer 9

That's fine and good if you want to ignore Paul's admonition to "not forsake the fellowship of one another." Part of being in the church is togetherness. The Bible says "where two or three are gathered, there I am in the midst" and not "when you're alone only am I with you." Jesus picked 12 men to do His work, not one who went off by himself.

You may be shy and like to be alone, but no man is an island and no Christian can long survive in the faith without the church.

Answer 10

I think it's a beautiful idea to make your home into a private place of worship. There is nothing wrong with being a solitary practitioner.

Answer 11

i think its a good idea as long as you don't totally cut off from godly fellowship funny thing about the last thing you said is to me seems like a lot of churches would like you for that reason. because most of the time the paster doesn't want any one to say what they think. he/she wants them to just listen witch i disagree with.