I am not a member of a church

[Mamato3]

Hi all...

I am new here and have so many questions. I am so surprised that as I scroll through past posts I find the answers to some of these questions. It is as if I was meant to find this board...I guess I was, wasn't I? Please excuse me if I happen to post a question that has already been posted! I wish I had time to read all the posts but it just isn't possible!

My question is one that nags at me everyday. I am not baptized (questions about that later!) and didn't grow up in a household that taught me about God or religion. I have always been curious about God and Jesus and fascinated with all religions but have finally come to the conclusion that Chrisitanity is what fits my beliefs.

One of my issues is that I don't belong to a church. I have tons in my area and I am confused as to all the different types of Christian (Episcipol, Unitarian, Community) churches. I have found a beautiful Assembly of God church and even went to one service with my older children. I was welcomed with open arms and actually continue a email relationship with the pastor. I just can't commit myself to becoming a member. The main reason is because my husband is not Christian. He is open minded and likes to listen to me talk about the Bible and even asks me great question that turn into wonderful conversations but will not attend a church. I don't want to leave him out and feel horribly guilty thinking about all the fun I would have with this particular Assembly. They have all sorts of "Connections" as they call them and tons of things for my kids to participate in. I just don't want to have this whole other life that he isn't a part of and I am content with that. I really am. I am content reading the Bible, praying, emailing with the pastor and now, with this board, finally having conversation with others Christianity.

Am I sinning by not belonging to a church? Doesn't God know my heart and know I can be faithful without attending services?

If you made it through my long wided post I appraciate it!

Jolene

[Guest Biblicist]

Welcome to Worthy, glad you found us here.

My advise about attending church... First of all, it is not a sin not to attend church. However, if your husband has no objections to you attending, and becoming a member of a church, I suggest you join one as soon as you possibly can. There are many wonderful benefits to being a member of a church.

My cousin came to church for years without her husband. One Sunday he started getting ready with her...She asked him what he was doing and he said "I'm going with you." Matter of fact, like it was normal. He's been attending ever since. In fact he's been a real pillar in our Church family.

Family, that's what chruch is. The Family of God. I would not trade my church family for anything. They are my comfort, protection, friends, confidants, guides, leaders... Well, you get the idea.

God's richest Blessings to you.

Bibs

[redwing]

dear sister,

if you feel drawn to the assembly of god church, then by all means go.

once your husband feels the joy in your heart hopefully he will join you.

blessings from kentucky. joe (rw)

[irishcowboy]

Welcome Jolene,

I do not believe you would be "sinning" for not "belonging" to the fellowship....

it is a good thing to belong, for it provides a means of accountability for us....

you did not mention whether or not your husband attends with you and the kids, or if he just stays home.

just because a person is not baptized does not mean they are not saved, and just because some one has been baptized, does not mean they are.... salvation is an inward activity.

The Assembly of God churches are good church fellowships, as are some Baptist fellowships, and Presbyterian and Methodist and other BIBLE BELIEVING church fellowships...

as with all of them, you need to keep your nose in the Bible, for this would be about the only way to know if what is being taught/preached is actually the Word of God or if some one is trying to pull the wool over your eyes.....

as you will find to be true, THE WORD OF GOD STANDS ON ITS OWN, AND IS THE TRUTH. it is infallible, as is God...

you will also find that there are people that say that the Bible is not for today and this society.. that is not true, the Bible is in full effect today, in this world, in this society, in this culture.

keep on going to Church, keep them kids in church......

a few years ago, we met a lady, the first day she showed up in church, she has four beautiful children.....

the reason she showed up in church is the 8 year old (never been to church before, and neither had mom, or any of the kids) came up to her and said, Mom, if you do not take us to church and teach us about Jesus, then we will all go to hell and it will be your fault.....

we are responsible for our actions, and inactions..... we are responsible for showing Christ to our children and also will be held responsible for not bringing Christ to our children.... when the children are old enough to make their own choice, we will still be held responsible for not bringing them up with Christ, but then they will also be held responsible for their own actions and inactions as well....

so keep them in the Lord..... keep praying that the Lord will use you and others to bring your husband to the Lord, where he will go with you to church, will come to know the Lord personally, and have a relationship with the Lord too....

I found out a few years back, that my dad did not have a Bible, that he could call his own.... he would have mom read things out of hers that came to mind, would ask questions and such, but never got it out himself to look it up himself..... (dad is not an extra strong reader)..... so we got him an AMPLIFIED version of the Bible, so that he could have his VERY OWN with HIS NAME ON IT........ when we go to the house, i see it, and it also has a book mark in it, and the book mark is never in the same place..... so dad is at least reading it..... he is a God Fearing Man too...... and knows what the Word says... and means...

this might be something you might wish to do for your husband for a SPECIAL occasion or for a JUST BECAUSE I LOVE YOU DAY...... what better gift can some one give their spouse? especially if they LOVE THEIR SPOUSE.

again,

welcome to worthy, and there are many threads about almost any subject you can think of... some of the topics may even be pretty heated sounding, but we still love one another.....

blessings sis.....

mike and Teresa

[OneLight]

Am I sinning by not belonging to a church? Doesn't God know my heart and know I can be faithful without attending services?

Jolene

Welcome to Worthy, Sister. You will find you will fit right in here, but, as I have found out, it can not replace a real person. No, you are not sinning by not attending a church, but you are missing out of what others have to offer you and what you have to offer others. Being with others who believe as yo do has something special that you will never find on any board. If you feel led to attend church, follow His leading! This may be the tool that does bring your husband to church, but even if it is not, your family will definitely grow stronger in the Lord if you do.

[Mamato3]

Thanks all - it is a relief to hear I am not sinning by not going to church. That said...

Bibs - You know, my husband surprised me by asking a really deep question (deep to me at least) about the Bible. He asked, Who decided what went in the Bible? The weirdest part was that I wondered the same thing and read about it the night before so I was able to give him an answer! Maybe someday he would go with me - who knows?

Joe - thanks for the encouragement!

Mike and Teresa - I have only attended church once that was of any significance. I went plenty as a teen when my then boyfriend had to go and some as a kid, but it never meant anything until this last time. My husband didn't go with me and at first he seemed bugged by how excited I was - he didn't want me "preaching" to him. When he realized how upset he made me, he lightened up and even has started being open to my thoughts on the Bible. I agree my kids would benefit from it and if I do decide this church is the right one for us, it will mainly be for them.

One light - I see what your saying about the internet not being a real person...

I do have to say that I have a slight social phobia where I feel sort of nervous with large groups and sometimes even one on one. My husband is a huge support to me in this area and I think part of my issue with becoming a member of church is not having my "rock" with me to help me through the nervousness. I guess at some point I have to just get over it, though, don't I?

[Guest]

Welcome!

Praying For Your Whole Family

Be Blessed Beloved

[Richard_yaash]

I have found a beautiful Assembly of God church and even went to one service with my older children. I was welcomed with open arms and actually continue a email relationship with the pastor. I just can't commit myself to becoming a member.

You can attend without being a "member", there is no harm and nothing wrong with that.

[pamiam]

Welcome to Worthy. If you read your last post, you seem to understand that it is fear that keeps you where you are. It seems that God has opened a door for you and all you have to do is attend this church. You don't have to become a member and you don't have to keep going there if it doesn't work out. No need to fret so much, dear one.

[OneLight]

Thanks all - it is a relief to hear I am not sinning by not going to church. That said...

I do have to say that I have a slight social phobia where I feel sort of nervous with large groups and sometimes even one on one. My husband is a huge support to me in this area and I think part of my issue with becoming a member of church is not having my "rock" with me to help me through the nervousness. I guess at some point I have to just get over it, though, don't I?

You are welcome ... and BTW ... my rock is polished due to so much rubbing! You'll do just fine.