Sometimes it is more about what you can do for others than what one can do for you. I wonder if Jesus felt that way?
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If you claim to be a Christian, what keeps you from gathering with a local church?
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It's a big book. There are many commandments, below are some examples:
John 20
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
Acts 15
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
John 20
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
Acts 15
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
The church we attended was great. Pastor who is humble has services that I thought were aimed at me. My wife said they were for her. We both got something from every service. No cookie cutter teachings. We stopped going when Covid started killing the group. We have backslided now. We will go back soon. I miss it.
Some don't attend church services because they feel like Christians hate the gay community or because the church is anti-abortion. Some feel like they aren't worthy to go. Others feel like everyone in church are hypocrites. Some work hard, do a lot of family stuff (especially with kids) and want to stay at home and sleep in. Some quit going after the scandals and coverups of child molesting priests. Some, who work all week long, set aside Saturday for work around the house and want to engage in their favorite recreation on Sunday. Some quit going during COVID and haven't gotten back into the habit. Some were heavily involved in a church and had a bad interaction with a committee or other church group. Some gave up on church when someone they cared a lot about was taken away at an early age. There are as many reasons not to go to church as there are people who consider themselves Christian but don't attend services in person. A lot of churches have mid-week services and Saturday ones as well. It does require one to set aside an hour or so every week to worship with fellow believers.
I shared my simple answer to the OP's question, leaving out the sorry details of my struggles.
A person could react with compassion, or with condescension like most church goers would.
I wonder which way Jesus would have reacted?
I still do things for others, I just quit associating with people like you.
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Because in my Opinion some churches have demonstrated that they are about worshiping the $ nothing more.
How about a church around here where they is a flood of BMW’s and every other high end car I. The lot. Upon egress they tear out of the parking lot often exceeding speeds of 60 mph in a 30 zone, if they are on the road you better damn well get out of your way as you have no right to be there on the roads, fail to stop on your green light by their driveway you can expect to be honked at at at the minimum the middle finger.
And it’s all good you know because they just came out of church. So I would ask if you are in a garage that no more makes you an automobile than being in church makes you a good person.
Perhaps many would rather practice their faith by acting like a believer, versus proclaiming I am a Christian but their actions demonstrate perhaps they need to do a little more work.
How about a church around here where they is a flood of BMW’s and every other high end car I. The lot. Upon egress they tear out of the parking lot often exceeding speeds of 60 mph in a 30 zone, if they are on the road you better damn well get out of your way as you have no right to be there on the roads, fail to stop on your green light by their driveway you can expect to be honked at at at the minimum the middle finger.
And it’s all good you know because they just came out of church. So I would ask if you are in a garage that no more makes you an automobile than being in church makes you a good person.
Perhaps many would rather practice their faith by acting like a believer, versus proclaiming I am a Christian but their actions demonstrate perhaps they need to do a little more work.
You do not have to attend a church to believe in a higher power.
I have yet to find one I feel comfortable with, and I have tried.
It's the people.
We speak to the lord every day. My spouse believes deeply. We don't need any guidance in this.
Let's leave it at that OK.
I have yet to find one I feel comfortable with, and I have tried.
It's the people.
We speak to the lord every day. My spouse believes deeply. We don't need any guidance in this.
Let's leave it at that OK.
Just my opinion from my own experience.
This is a church.
This is The Church.
There is a difference.
I played church for years. I was raised in a Untitled Pentecostal church. Going through the motions as that was what I believed I had to do. I even did a few years in a bible college.
In my early 20's I really just got tired of it. Drama, gossip, showmanship etc (I'm not saying I wasn't a part of some of that) just made me feel the game was up. I stepped away for many many years and did my own thing.
Fast forward to 2018. I had a pretty bad health scare. So what did I do when I didn't think I would make it and it was totally out of my hands? I went back to the one who created me. I found a church where a buddy of mine attended. It was small but I felt comfortable. They had small groups. 6-12ish people who meet on a regular basis to study the Bible, talk about life and be there for each other. I tried a few and over time, found a group that fit me.
I've had more spiritual growth in that group than Sunday services. It's not that the messages are not good and they don't help me. They have. But the messages, help and encouragement that come out of our group, from each other over a two way conversation and on a deeply personal level, is amazing. It's personal.
My personal relationship with Jesus just doesn't happen on Sunday morning. It's in the small group but more importantly, it's on my time. I don't expect to eat a meal on Sunday and not eat again until the following Sunday.
So why do people leave church? I left because I looked for the answers from the church. I found the answers in The Church.
This is a church.
This is The Church.
There is a difference.
I played church for years. I was raised in a Untitled Pentecostal church. Going through the motions as that was what I believed I had to do. I even did a few years in a bible college.
In my early 20's I really just got tired of it. Drama, gossip, showmanship etc (I'm not saying I wasn't a part of some of that) just made me feel the game was up. I stepped away for many many years and did my own thing.
Fast forward to 2018. I had a pretty bad health scare. So what did I do when I didn't think I would make it and it was totally out of my hands? I went back to the one who created me. I found a church where a buddy of mine attended. It was small but I felt comfortable. They had small groups. 6-12ish people who meet on a regular basis to study the Bible, talk about life and be there for each other. I tried a few and over time, found a group that fit me.
I've had more spiritual growth in that group than Sunday services. It's not that the messages are not good and they don't help me. They have. But the messages, help and encouragement that come out of our group, from each other over a two way conversation and on a deeply personal level, is amazing. It's personal.
My personal relationship with Jesus just doesn't happen on Sunday morning. It's in the small group but more importantly, it's on my time. I don't expect to eat a meal on Sunday and not eat again until the following Sunday.
So why do people leave church? I left because I looked for the answers from the church. I found the answers in The Church.
I understand that. Just like when a couple gets divorced, a lot of people start to stay clear because they either don't want to bother or do not feel equipped to help. Either way, it does hurt.
I have seen churches, mostly those who have broken away from the denominations and that status quo, that do get things right. I was part of a conversation where several close friends were quietly assembling for the benefit of a brother in trouble. They were prayerfully asking for wisdom and had decided that two of the group would visit the man in trouble to help him through the rough times. They were also taking great care to protect the man's dignity and privacy. This activity should be typical, not rare.
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Plinker
I agree Churchmouse. The Bible says where 2 or more are gathered in his name, he will be there. People still like to make it known they go to church for the social status. We are to spread the word of Christ no matter where we meet for fulfillment.
Something like this happened to my brother a few years ago. People are going to let us down. People are clic-ish, those with the secular power, charisma, wealth, etc seem to attract much of the attention in church too.
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I am very sorry to hear that. That's disappointing to say the least. Where do you live? There is undoubtedly another church nearby that has a different feel and people who can support you.
Like Big Tanker, I grew up and attended United Pentecostal Church or similar (ALJC for one). While I loved the fire and brimstone preaching, I never bought into all of the holiness/legalistic stuff.
Once we started attending a similar “style” church without the legalism, it seemed almost anything goes…Cleavage and skin tight clothing, men ogling them, talk and actions that I’ll never approve of, even though I’ve failed there myself.
Oldest son attends a different church now, has been made a pastor, and seems to really enjoy calling me a heretic (I find that a big word for small minds), and the constant attacks keep from ever wanting to attend his church. Unfortunately my wife almost worships him, and uses holidays to, such as Mother’s Day, to beg me to go there.
Then there’s all the BLM garbage that so many churches adopted after George F really made me struggle with going to my own church.
I guess I could sum all that up by saying we are called to love people, but people really suck overall, & I pray for wisdom, knowledge, deliverance and understanding every day. I don’t fit in very well with the “me, me,me” generations, I try really hard to make someone/s day better every day.
Once we started attending a similar “style” church without the legalism, it seemed almost anything goes…Cleavage and skin tight clothing, men ogling them, talk and actions that I’ll never approve of, even though I’ve failed there myself.
Oldest son attends a different church now, has been made a pastor, and seems to really enjoy calling me a heretic (I find that a big word for small minds), and the constant attacks keep from ever wanting to attend his church. Unfortunately my wife almost worships him, and uses holidays to, such as Mother’s Day, to beg me to go there.
Then there’s all the BLM garbage that so many churches adopted after George F really made me struggle with going to my own church.
I guess I could sum all that up by saying we are called to love people, but people really suck overall, & I pray for wisdom, knowledge, deliverance and understanding every day. I don’t fit in very well with the “me, me,me” generations, I try really hard to make someone/s day better every day.
My church (ITOWN Church in Fishers) is very focused on this question and we talk about it all the time. The entire experience is set up with the intent to make people feel welcome no matter where there are in their faith walk. Admittedly I walked in my first time as a complete atheist and felt very at home. At least enough to come back the next week, and the week after that.
A lot of people feel like they have to get it together to get to God, but that's backwards. They should get to God to get it together.
Traditional religion is all about ritual and rules which turns a lot of people off if they feel far from God. They don't want to feel judged or that they're on the outside looking in. They need a place to feel welcome first, then they can begin their spiritual journey.
My church has a mission statement of helping people get from where they are today to where God has called them to be. It's one step at a time based on the ideas if Reach, Connect, Go, Grow.
If you would have told me three years ago that church would be one of my favorite places and that I would have a deep connection with God, I would have laughed at you. I was as pretty much as far from God as one could be, yet He has been waiting for a relationship with me this entire time until I was ready. Once I was ready, the blessings that He brought to my life have been truly amazing.
If anyone is looking for a church in the north Indy, Hamilton County, Bluffton area, I highly recommend ITOWN. We now have three campuses to attend. I would be happy to meet with anyone at a service, sit with you and answer any questions about the ministries or support groups, activities they offer.
A lot of people feel like they have to get it together to get to God, but that's backwards. They should get to God to get it together.
Traditional religion is all about ritual and rules which turns a lot of people off if they feel far from God. They don't want to feel judged or that they're on the outside looking in. They need a place to feel welcome first, then they can begin their spiritual journey.
My church has a mission statement of helping people get from where they are today to where God has called them to be. It's one step at a time based on the ideas if Reach, Connect, Go, Grow.
If you would have told me three years ago that church would be one of my favorite places and that I would have a deep connection with God, I would have laughed at you. I was as pretty much as far from God as one could be, yet He has been waiting for a relationship with me this entire time until I was ready. Once I was ready, the blessings that He brought to my life have been truly amazing.
If anyone is looking for a church in the north Indy, Hamilton County, Bluffton area, I highly recommend ITOWN. We now have three campuses to attend. I would be happy to meet with anyone at a service, sit with you and answer any questions about the ministries or support groups, activities they offer.
I have a good friend that goes to ITOWN, i've heard good things about it.
The first Christian gatherings were in homes, caves, out in the open such as a field. It was a long time until there was a church dedicated to worship of the Christ.
There is a church for everyone you just have to search for one. Will you believe like or get along with everyone in it? No you won't because they are human and worse they are Americans for the most part which means fiercely independent individuals.
Just like this forum. We agree with some on some things and disagree on other things. It will be that way in church. As long as the church is teaching the whole Bible that should be enough. If it's a compromise church I'd get out before you get drug down with them.
There is a church for everyone you just have to search for one. Will you believe like or get along with everyone in it? No you won't because they are human and worse they are Americans for the most part which means fiercely independent individuals.
Just like this forum. We agree with some on some things and disagree on other things. It will be that way in church. As long as the church is teaching the whole Bible that should be enough. If it's a compromise church I'd get out before you get drug down with them.
I go to church to worship my God and to hear the Word. I don't expect the sinners there to be any better or worse than average people, because I'm a sinner and no better or worse than the average person. I'm not an overly expressive and sociable person, no doubt due to my experiences in life. The pastors and a few people are always friendly to me and that is good enough for me.
I've been asked if I've ever been born again? Yes. Usually when one confessed their sins and ask forgiveness they do their best not to sin anymore.
Are we perfect? No, but we are forgiven.
I believe in John Wesley's teaching when it comes to doctrine.
I believe one strives to make themselves holy before God. I also believe we backslide and fall from grace if we go out of our way to sin word, thought, and deed.
Are we perfect? No, but we are forgiven.
I believe in John Wesley's teaching when it comes to doctrine.
I believe one strives to make themselves holy before God. I also believe we backslide and fall from grace if we go out of our way to sin word, thought, and deed.
