I don't like to go to church

[stacey c]

- 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

I'm sorry that your experience of viewing a Protestant service wasn't enjoyable, but you really shouldn't paint with such a broad brush. As with any denomination you have the good and bad. There are plenty of churches that serve the meat of the Word.

A couple of things I want to adress and not everyone will agree with me, but these are personal convictions.

First off I don't need to "go see Jesus" once a week. He is with me everyday, everywhere. I don't need to be in a church building to Praise Him and seek Him, I am the church.

I also don't need a visual reminder , a big cross, to know that Christ is the center of my all and all.

As far as communion, I feel, you do this every week, day, or service ect. it becomes a ritualist act, something you have to do or are trained to do and it loses that very personal and spiritual meaning.

And finally who needs all the trappings of glitz and glamour, and grandure? The identy of christianity comes from the inside of a man and his heart, not how much gold and guilding you can pack into a building.

God Bless

stacey c

[irishcowboy]

something I heard several years ago, and it has stuck with me and I ponder it from time to time......

is church for entertaining? are we going only for the entertainment? or for growth?

is the preacher stepping on toes? if he is, is he teaching/preaching from the Bible??????

if he is preaching from the Bible, the message WILL be offensive, and if my toes do not get stepped on then I need to look to see if I am actually toeing the line and living in accordance with the Word, and that my heart has not grown cold....

there are many people that "go to church" to see the entertainment, to see a good show, even the preachin can be nothing but showmanship with (as was stated above) NO MEAT.....

what I started out to say is..............

Entertainment is (can be) satans substitute for True Joy.......

are we really going to worship and praise His Name? and to lift our fellow brothers and sisters up in time of need? or are we going so that we can say we done our weekly duty and be entertained by the music, singing, and showmanship///

just something to think about.... is it about me, the performers, the preacher or God with the Gospel of Jesus.....

mike

[OneLight]

If I may add a few words. No preaching, just advise and concerns.

Having a home bible study, or a home church, one needs to be versed well enough in scripture so not to become misled by any false teachings. There should always be accountability for the person leading such a group. I have nothing against having one, but I am concerned that one who is not qualified to teach or preach, do so because "there is no one else" willing to take the lead. If you find yourself in this situation, I personally believe that it would be wise to put up with some discomfort you may find and attend one given by a bible believing church.

Going to church should not focus on the intention to see what you can get from church, but to see if there is anything you can offer. Everyone is given a gift that they can share. If you are not at the point to know what your gift is, may I suggest that you seek to find what it is. When we gather together, it should be to offer ourselves as a tool for Christ to be use to help another in need. May it be a loving word, a helping hand, a word of wisdom, knowledge, or faith, or just a nice smile and a few kind words to someone who is lonely. We all have something we can offer. You are worth more then you realize.

God Bless!

[johnnybigfish]

something I heard several years ago, and it has stuck with me and I ponder it from time to time......

is church for entertaining? are we going only for the entertainment? or for growth?

is the preacher stepping on toes? if he is, is he teaching/preaching from the Bible??????

if he is preaching from the Bible, the message WILL be offensive, and if my toes do not get stepped on then I need to look to see if I am actually toeing the line and living in accordance with the Word, and that my heart has not grown cold....

there are many people that "go to church" to see the entertainment, to see a good show, even the preachin can be nothing but showmanship with (as was stated above) NO MEAT.....

what I started out to say is..............

Entertainment is (can be) satans substitute for True Joy.......

are we really going to worship and praise His Name? and to lift our fellow brothers and sisters up in time of need? or are we going so that we can say we done our weekly duty and be entertained by the music, singing, and showmanship///

just something to think about.... is it about me, the performers, the preacher or God with the Gospel of Jesus.....

mike

I dont go to church...I have no legitimate excuse for you WHY I dont go...I just dont go. Unfortunately, If I explained my reasons, then I'd be guilty of Judging the clergy.

However, while talking about this, I remember when I was first "Born Again" in the late 70's or early eighties, I went to all kinds of churches, bible studies, prayer meetings, and some BIG conventions(charismatic)...When i would go to church back then, I would just look around at all the people who really didnt know Jesus. I figure that they were mostly all there because it runs in the family, or perhaps, because they read that theyre supposed to go.THATS why I always went to church before being saved, just because I was supposed to go and thats all I knew.

If I do go now, which is not very often, I'm dissapointed that the truth isnt preached..Its not just at my church I go to, but I feel its alot, if not most of the churches nowadays...How many pastors counsel young couples who "Live together" as if its acceptable? How many pastors tell the congregation to go out and protest abortion?...and on and on and on....Sometimes I wanna get up and yell,"C'mon, tell us about hell!"...Or, "Tell us about how wrong homosexuality is and fornication is, and divorce is!"....As mentioned earlier in this thread....Sort of....We dont like the truth because it hurts our feelings... Some preachers know this....and they dont want to hurt peoples feelings...for whatever reason.

oh well....and I wasnt going to be judgemental

your friend,

john

[irishcowboy]

i have to agree that there are many pastors that preach, half truths, watered down, softened sermons.......

I am against abortion, by teaching BIBLE, a person gives the Authority......

I am against living together prior to marriage, and teach that, but not in a way, that chases others out, but teach what the Bible says.....

I do not preach/teach against smoking, for I know that the more that people preach against it, the more I wanted to smoke.... God took that bondage from me permanently....

if a preacher/teacher stays with the Word of God, they will preach/teach very hard lessons, they will be stepping on peoples toes, but at the same time, they will have the Authority behind it, and not just words flowing our of their mouths...

when a person preaches on the evils of smoking, and does not give them hope for stopping, the smokers will leave.....Let the Holy Spirit stengthen them encourage them...... (kind of like the vinegar and honey thing and bees)

God gave us the freedoms to chose.... to either chose Him or not, to chose His ways or not to chose His ways, to chose Good or evil.... it is our choice...... teaching people how to make these choices is up to us, it is not up to us to make that choice for them...

something a lot of people do not realize, is that it is not the pastor the recruits people into the church, nor is it the pastor that keeps them there........IT IS THE PEOPLE OF THE CHURCH..... if the visitors do not feel the love, do not see the love, it is not the Pastor, it is the people that attend.....

it is biologically impossible for the shepherd to produce sheep.... the sheep have to produce sheep.... so if people are not coming, it is not the shepherds fault.....

I put this out to any and all pastors........ PREACH THE WORD..... PREACH THE STRONG MESSAGES........ do not water them down at all.... not worth it........ a half truth, is still just a lie........ if we do not lead the people to the straight and narrow, we will answer for that later.....

mike

[johnnybigfish]

i have to agree that there are many pastors that preach, half truths, watered down, softened sermons.......

I am against abortion, by teaching BIBLE, a person gives the Authority......

I am against living together prior to marriage, and teach that, but not in a way, that chases others out, but teach what the Bible says.....

I do not preach/teach against smoking, for I know that the more that people preach against it, the more I wanted to smoke.... God took that bondage from me permanently....

if a preacher/teacher stays with the Word of God, they will preach/teach very hard lessons, they will be stepping on peoples toes, but at the same time, they will have the Authority behind it, and not just words flowing our of their mouths...

when a person preaches on the evils of smoking, and does not give them hope for stopping, the smokers will leave.....Let the Holy Spirit stengthen them encourage them...... (kind of like the vinegar and honey thing and bees)

God gave us the freedoms to chose.... to either chose Him or not, to chose His ways or not to chose His ways, to chose Good or evil.... it is our choice...... teaching people how to make these choices is up to us, it is not up to us to make that choice for them...

something a lot of people do not realize, is that it is not the pastor the recruits people into the church, nor is it the pastor that keeps them there........IT IS THE PEOPLE OF THE CHURCH..... if the visitors do not feel the love, do not see the love, it is not the Pastor, it is the people that attend.....

it is biologically impossible for the shepherd to produce sheep.... the sheep have to produce sheep.... so if people are not coming, it is not the shepherds fault.....

I put this out to any and all pastors........ PREACH THE WORD..... PREACH THE STRONG MESSAGES........ do not water them down at all.... not worth it........ a half truth, is still just a lie........ if we do not lead the people to the straight and narrow, we will answer for that later.....

mike

Very well put, Mike!.You explained it alot better than me and I liked the part about the sheep making sheep!

your friend,

john

[paul1149]

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.

No lectures here, LC. I find this an incredibly difficult area. I like how the Bible puts forth its teaching without condemnation - do not forsake the assembling (as opposed to if you miss church you incur a mortal sin); fellowship with others who call on the name of the Lord out of a pure heart, etc..

Sometimes our attempts at fellowship fall apart, for various reasons. For me it was an ugly church split many years ago that caused me to lose serious faith in the church. I've spent time in other churches, even participating significantly, but it never lasted. Sooner or later there would be an authority issue that caused me to believe it would be best if I left.

I still call on the name of the Lord. I have a few Christian friends that I can be fairly transparent with. But when I visit church there is a stone wall keeping me from getting involved again. I even tried going back to the original church, but simply felt like there was no way I could continue to attend. I'm looking for a cell church, but that hasn't panned out yet.

I know how important fellowship is. I know that satan can rob our joy and power when we are isolated. But still this is a great challenge for me. I hope you find the right Body to grow with.

Be well,

p.

[Guest nikkijo9999]

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.

i think i can relate. I live in a small town. We have only two churches. I love the Lord, I pray and read my bible. But its hard to go to church. The churches here are so traditional and I'm so untraditional. I know what its like to feel lonely and out of place. I will pray for you. God bless you.

[OneLight]

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.

i think i can relate. I live in a small town. We have only two churches. I love the Lord, I pray and read my bible. But its hard to go to church. The churches here are so traditional and I'm so untraditional. I know what its like to feel lonely and out of place. I will pray for you. God bless you.

What about Faith Christian Fellowship Church on 813 Girard Avenue? This one does not sound traditional. What do you know of this church? There is nothing on the web about it. I see there are plenty of Baptist churches, and one Methodist church also.

[Romans 14]

If I may add a few words. No preaching, just advise and concerns.

Having a home bible study, or a home church, one needs to be versed well enough in scripture so not to become misled by any false teachings. There should always be accountability for the person leading such a group. I have nothing against having one, but I am concerned that one who is not qualified to teach or preach, do so because "there is no one else" willing to take the lead. If you find yourself in this situation, I personally believe that it would be wise to put up with some discomfort you may find and attend one given by a bible believing church.

Going to church should not focus on the intention to see what you can get from church, but to see if there is anything you can offer. Everyone is given a gift that they can share. If you are not at the point to know what your gift is, may I suggest that you seek to find what it is. When we gather together, it should be to offer ourselves as a tool for Christ to be use to help another in need. May it be a loving word, a helping hand, a word of wisdom, knowledge, or faith, or just a nice smile and a few kind words to someone who is lonely. We all have something we can offer. You are worth more then you realize.

God Bless!

+1000 to this post, please don't just go start up a study group! I know with all the negative things we hear about today's churches, but if you're sincerely seeking God and His will, He will guide you a church that's best for you spiritually. One thing that's not stressed enough is the importance of a Godly Pastor, whose heart is of the same nature of God. I'm truly blessed to have one, and although I don't understand or agree with everything he does, I submit my self to him as a service to God. If what he asks me to do isn't defined as sin by the Word of God, then I am to submit to his authority. Hebrews 13:17 says, "Obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them [continually recognizing their authority over you], for they are constantly keeping watch over your souls and guarding your spiritual welfare, as men who will have to render an account [of their trust]. [Do your part to] let them do this with gladness and not with sighing and groaning, for that would not be profitable to you [either]." If you are led by God, (and not your own spirit), then you will be brought to where you belong. God bless you.