I don't like to go to church

[kat8585]

- For my personality the worship time is too long and the preaching is too short. I miss the hims.

- I listen to a lot of preaching in the net, i sing at home and in my car I give to God the money that belongs to him

and I just love him sooo much that sometimes even at work i say aloud how much I love him. He is so good to me

that I can't even start talking about it because i will never stop.

Wow, I wish I had the fire you have!

[Guest yod]

Please don't give me no lectures. I am looking for help. I finally had courage to confess that I actually hate to go to church.

I never liked much. I am very close to God. I study the Bible, listen to sermons, praise God with hims but just

don't know of any church where I would like to be. Since the pastor of the church where I was a member retired I

can't find a HOME and I am lonely.

Then don't go.

God isn't mad at you.

But isolation is not the answer either. Seek. Pray.

He hears.

.

[Murse32]

Please don't give me no lectures. I am looking for help. I finally had courage to confess that I actually hate to go to church.

I never liked much. I am very close to God. I study the Bible, listen to sermons, praise God with hims but just

don't know of any church where I would like to be. Since the pastor of the church where I was a member retired I

can't find a HOME and I am lonely.

Hey Lcevallos,

No preaching here. I understand what you are going through. I may be "hung out to dry" for my words but that's never my concern when it comes to my fellow brothers and sisters.

I've had the same problem for years now. It's not that I hate going to church, it's frankly I'm more theological than most churches in my area. With that said, please...in no way think that I am claiming myself to be more wise than others...But I do appreciate a solid and sound doctrine. Many of the churches that I have gone to strayed from solo scriptura and began adopting new ways of teaching. It's hard when you have a home church and have to leave for whatever reason.

I can also understand that in some churches, praise and worship take up more time. We can never neglect giving praise and worship to our Lord, but at the same time I understand that you have a hunger for the scripture. Whether people want to except it or not...studying the word of God; praying to Him for understanding, knowledge, and wisdom; And giving Him complete glory upon an enlightenment of the scripture is a form of praise and glory. You are in faith, trusting in Him and the word in which he gave us. Faith is what the Lord desires.

Now, for the words many would love to crucify me for: Don't be legalistic (not claiming you are). Notice how many go to church because the bible SAYS SO? Well, isn't this the same mentallity that Jesus rebuked the pharisees for? because they followed the law because it SAYS SO. He want's us to do things that line up with scripture from our heart.

Yes, the bible DOES say to not forsake the gathering of believers. We have to take the scriptures as a whole to get the full meaning out of them as well though. Jesus also said that the sabbath was made for men, not men for the sabbath. This mentallity shows us that God wants what's best for us. He doesn't make rules because he can or wants to see just how much we'll do. He loves us. Moving further though, He also knows that we are weak. It's like a herd of sheep. In that heard, they can often stay safe and help each other. Yet, if one strays on it's own, it is more susceptible to attacks from a nearby wolf. Get what I'm saying? The reason for going to church isn't because YOU HAVE TO. It's suggested we do in order for the group to edify one another and keep each other strong. Not to mention, somewhere in you, you have a gift. We all do. I'm not speaking of some evidenced based Holy Spirit Gift at this moment, I'm speaking of the gift of giving, knowledge, wisdom, faith, etc. You possess one and it's that gift that you need to use in order to edify others. As we see in 1 Corinthians, Paul speaks not of self-edification, but edification of others. Just as you need to be lifted up at times, you're brothers and sisters likewise needed to be lifted up by a gift that you may possess.

Much like you, I have a strong passion for the Lord. I read constantly, always in prayer, give when I'm lead, give praise and glory to His name for all things. I love the Lord with all my heart, soul, and strength. I, much like you, have a hard time finding a church. I've been praying about it and was finally lead to one that I feel I will be happy with. Only time will tell, but if this is where I am lead...than it must be right.

I believe you said in a different post that you miss the hymnals? All praise and worship is in different forms. Some may lie on their face giving complete respect and reverance to the Lord, some may dance themselves naked just as David did...God knows your heart and accepts the praise that He see's from within. If you miss the hymnals, you may be like me. I go to First Baptist Church. I'm not saying you are baptist or need to become one, but if you crave the praise that comes from the hymnals and thirst for the word of God...you might want to try a church like that....just a suggestion, not saying you have to.

Hope these words find you happy and well,

With Love in Christ for you and all that are His,

Murse32

P.S. - You said that you are lonely and enjoy studying. You are MORE than welcome to contact me via message here or I can give you my email and we can talk and discuss scriptures. I know it's not a replacement for a local church...but it might get you by until you find a new church home. Take care.

[Believer1997]

Please don't give me no lectures. I am looking for help. I finally had courage to confess that I actually hate to go to church.

I never liked much. I am very close to God. I study the Bible, listen to sermons, praise God with hims but just

don't know of any church where I would like to be. Since the pastor of the church where I was a member retired I

can't find a HOME and I am lonely.

Then don't go.

God isn't mad at you.

But isolation is not the answer either. Seek. Pray.

He hears.

.

THIS is GREAT advice - I'm praying for you. NOT all churches are teaching "Stuff" from New Age... and the fellowship would be great for you if you find one that you like. If you don't... pray and seek others and maybe a bible study online or in your home would be good for you. Take care!!!

[brothaman]

Please don't give me no lectures. I am looking for help. I finally had courage to confess that I actually hate to go to church.

I never liked much. I am very close to God. I study the Bible, listen to sermons, praise God with hims but just

don't know of any church where I would like to be. Since the pastor of the church where I was a member retired I

can't find a HOME and I am lonely.

Try other churches until you find a home. Pray about it and keep an open heart about it. Hatred doesn't open a heart much. I believe you don't nessisairly have to go to church to do God work, but I really recomend a home. brothaman

[tjhawks1]

I've struggled with this about a year ago. I don't know all of your details. I'm still struggling a little. The home group mentioned by others on this post is a great idea. I just wanted to encourage you do know that many people struggle with this. A couple of books I read on this topic really helped me. One I read was "Why men hate going to church". That book was a big help because it addressed a lot of the issues I have with church.

[Lcevallos]

- For my personality the worship time is too long and the preaching is too short. I miss the hims.

- I listen to a lot of preaching in the net, i sing at home and in my car I give to God the money that belongs to him

and I just love him sooo much that sometimes even at work i say aloud how much I love him. He is so good to me

that I can't even start talking about it because i will never stop.

Wow, I wish I had the fire you have!

Thank you all for the replies to my post. You have no idea how much it helped me. I would love to have a study group

in my house but the few friends that I have work a lot. I don't know of anyone that would come. Also, like someone said

isolation is not the answer. I would start going first only or the preaching and than gradually try to stay longer.

Again, thanks so much.

LCevallos

[Michael.]

- For my personality the worship time is too long and the preaching is too short. I miss the hims.

- I listen to a lot of preaching in the net, i sing at home and in my car I give to God the money that belongs to him

and I just love him sooo much that sometimes even at work i say aloud how much I love him. He is so good to me

that I can't even start talking about it because i will never stop.

Wow, I wish I had the fire you have!

Thank you all for the replies to my post. You have no idea how much it helped me. I would love to have a study group

in my house but the few friends that I have work a lot. I don't know of anyone that would come. Also, like someone said

isolation is not the answer. I would start going first only or the preaching and than gradually try to stay longer.

Again, thanks so much.

LCevallos

Dear Fellow Christians,

I find this discussion very sad and depressing. Why? I feel this way, because I am hearing people who were blessed to find and know God in the Christian mantle, but do not enjoy going to see him once a week for a church service. Last week I attended my first protestant service and I can tell you it almost put me to sleep. I can see why you do not enjoy it, that is, if your service was anything like this one that I watched online. I was televised live out of N. Va from a bible church and for the first 20 minutes I witnessed a large theatre type group of people all standing and singing with a quasi heavy metal christian band as they banged away to the tune of "Jesus love me" and in the background I saw a big screen that had proverbs and verses on it during the song. Afterwards a person got on stage in plain clothing and gave a sermon on Muslims and how they are not Christian - ect... And then the screen went black and they invited everyone to come back next week. That was it. I was a little shocked and then felt that sadness that I am experiencing now.

There is NO MEAT to your services. I know that is a braod term there, but if any of your services that you are bored with was like what I experienced, then no wonder you hate going to church. For you people out there that are bored, take a look at how the early church fathers celebrated their services and then compare that to modern day church services and see what the difference is.

My first observation from my experience was this - Where is Jesus? Jesus should be the center of the service. Where was a cross? There should be a cross (a big one) in the middle center church to show that we as a people are focused and centered on Christ. Where was the sermon? I heard about the muslims, not about Christ. Where was the Eucharist? I didn't see anyone do as Jesus commanded at the Last supper. Where was the sacrifice? None, instead there was loud music and cheering. Where was the prayer? I don't think i even heard the congregation say the Our Father. Where was the beauty? I saw a big colloseum that was empty of just about everything that would identify it with Christianity.

I'm not going to tell you where to go to church or what to look for. But I will tell you that if you are bored with it, you need to find a place that matches what the bible calls for in a religious service and not a stage performance.

Pax Christi,

Michael

[oldzimm]

I had the same problem, I didn't care for the church that my family has been going to for the past 200 years. I felt uneasy at church, like it was a contest to see who could be in their best Sunday dress and not to mention the gossip. I was a rebel in the church in my younger days, I didn't like to wear a coat an tie and I use to wear a nice shirt an jeans (man did I get the looks). I felt going to church should be relaxing where the pressures of the outside world can be left outside.

I'm 53 years old now and I have been going to church 2 or 3 times a year for the past 25 years. This past winter my son started going to a church just down the road from me, it started up maybe 6 years ago. My son asked me to come and see what this church was like, so I went and I was surprised. I was looking for something like this church for a long time, there was no dress code, they even served coffee for you to take with you into the service if you wanted to, talk about worshiping in comfort. The preacher's sermon is at least a half hour long and he has your attention the whole time.

This mornings sermon, part of the message was Churches find it hard to keep young people in the church once they get to that senior high age ( I can relate). One of the reasons is Christians have a hard time adapting to change. Examples: the Bible was first written in hand writing and with the invention of the crude type of printing press, the church said at first no the Bible must be hand written. When the pipe organ was invented, the churches said that the pipe organ shouldn't be in the church. The bottom line is that with the advancement of technology the church must also change with it in the way they teach God's word.

Just think what Christians would say back fifty years ago if we told them we would be speaking of God's word over a computer, on something called the internet. We probably would of been called sinners.

[Guest blessedeve]

Please don't give me no lectures. I am looking for help. I finally had courage to confess that I actually hate to go to church.

I never liked much. I am very close to God. I study the Bible, listen to sermons, praise God with hims but just

don't know of any church where I would like to be. Since the pastor of the church where I was a member retired I

can't find a HOME and I am lonely.

lol[/color

Jesus loves u nomatter what u say or do n he wants d best for u. let me know where u r from, then i can recommend a church for u. cant wait to be of help to u.

chao n GBU lots