Faithful Friends (Feb.26)
This week’s Faithful Friends post asks…
Do you attend church? Why, or why not?
All through my growing-up years, I was made to attend church by my mom. She believed it was important that we be there. And, when I was out on my own, I still attended church for a while.
But, lately, I haven’t been attending. Why? Because I just have a lot of issues with “going to church”. I love my pastor — don’t get me wrong. I miss hearing him speak. But, I’ve had a lot of bad experiences with church, in the past, and it’s left me with a sort of prejudice against it.
I know, I know… I will never find a “perfect” church. And, it’s not like the one I’ve been attending is all that bad. It’s actually very good. The people are definitely leaning more toward “relationship” than “religion”, and for that I’m glad to be associated with them.
But, for whatever reason, the idea of attending on Sundays just rubs me the wrong way. It’s like a “ritual”… and I’m really against rituals. I’d rather have the relationship. And therefore, until I can feel that I’m going to church out of my love for God — not just out of some religious “duty” — I don’t feel that I need to go on Sunday mornings.
Mind you, I still hold to the fact that I need to be in fellowship with other believers. Hebrews 10:25 says not to neglect meeting with other believers. So, for me, my weekly Bible study group is my “church”. It’s my way of obeying that verse in Hebrews. And, honestly, I learn more from my Bible study group than I ever have from sitting in a pew on Sunday morning. The lessons continue on throughout the week (through the daily homework), so I’m not just getting “fed” on Sunday and then forgetting about it for the rest of the week…I’m not just a “Sunday Christian”. And, talking with my fellow Bible study participants is more meaningful, as we actually have the time to get to know each other — instead of having just enough time to make small-talk before rushing home (like I used to do on Sunday mornings).
I’m not dissing anyone who still attends church on Sunday mornings. I think that, if it’s meaningful to you, then that’s what you should do. If it’s something you believe you should do, then by all means, keep doing it!
But, for me — for right now, anyway — I just don’t feel comfortable with attending Sunday morning church services. God wants my heart… and, if I’m just going to church on Sundays out of obligation, that isn’t going to please Him. I need to be authentic… and for me, that means avoiding Sunday morning worship times.
PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Faithful Friends post, or share your (brief) answer in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Please remember that we aren’t judging others’ answers here… we are only sharing our own viewpoints for the sake of knowing how others live out their faith. Thanks! 
Thanks for sharing. I totally aree that you have to have your heart in going to church for it to mean anything. Its good that have an outlet for that time with other believers.
Here’s mine: http://abigailannreading.blogspot.com/2011/02/faithful-friends.html
I think you have to ask yourself where you are in your relationship with Jesus? Then ask yourself what are you really looking for in a church? The reason we attend church is that in doing so we build each other up in worshiping with other believer’s sort of like spurring one another on in this life we live. But, more importantly we attend worship to worship and exalt Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. I intensely dislike the church I’m going to because it is not my home church, I attend it because I’m caring for my dad right now and I’m away from my own home church, and this church is the one he is a member of. Often I have a rotten attitude, I’ve gotten to where I ask myself what can I be joyful about in being away from my own church I miss. Then it dawned on me, I’ve made this about myself and my needs. Good grief, how selfish I am. I have a different heart attitude now, I am right where He wants me to be for right now and there is always something to be learned in where He places us!
Church is a building. I have a relationship and will no matter what but going to Church helps me build that relationship. I don’t push church but I will admit I push that relationship =)
Here’s more of what I have to say on this subject: http://composingcat.blogspot.com/2011/02/faithful-friends-feb-26.html
I started attending church when my kids were young because I think it’s important to instill those values in them. I attended with my parents throughout most of my childhood years and I think it kept me pretty grounded even through my wilder years.
Now that my kids are grown and gone my wife and I still attend regularly. It’s kind of like recharging an electric car when the battery runs down.
Lee
Tossing It Out
I’ve not attended church services in many years, as the format disagrees with me. The idea of preachers telling congregations what to believe, or assuming any kind of control over them, does not sit well with me. No one is entitled to rule anyone else, regardless of self-purported qualifications. I do listen to sermons online, though, from a few ministers (and I use that word, in opposition to “preachers” or “pastors”) who treat their audiences with respect, who have the same relationship with their audience that good teachers do: they engage and learn from their audience through discussion. The great problem with pastoral roles is that they assume so much Authority, and so little accountability — just TRY questioning most of them.
thanks for sharing this! I myself sometimes find myself attending but I always go alone and so then i find it hard to make the commitment i havent been all year! I sometimes feel guilt but then liek to think God is happy with the relationship I have with him! I dunno