Ok, I'm going to try to give my opinion, without rambling too much!!
First, to answer the question, no, I don't believe not going to church is a sin. However, it may depend on your
reason for not going to church.
I do attend church regularly and believe that it is usually
best for a Christian to be part of a local church.
To address a couple of the things brought up in this thread...
As for the comment about being at service every chance we get. Is that just Sunday service? Is that every service, every class and event that is offered throughout the week? Yes, God is there for me anytime I need Him, but why does that mean I
have to be at church everytime the doors are open? Having a relationship with God does not mean we have to be at a church building everytime there is a service or something is going on. Sometimes we get so busy going
to church and
doing things at church, that we never have time to just
be with God. And, if we are always busy at church, when do we get out in the world to reach out to those who don't know Christ?
Nadiine brought up a question about why we wouldn't want to be where God is? While I understand what she is asking, the simple fact is, God is not found only in a church building--
we are now the sanctuary. If a family decides to have church at home together, is God not there? Is God not with us at all times?
I'm not saying, 'don't go to church'. I myself attend church regularly (every week), and am involved in ministries in it. But I am also not going to say someone is not a 'good' Christian or a strong Christian or going against God if they are not attending an organized church on Sunday morning.
We have to realize we are all different and we all have different lifestyles. Many people aren't able to attend church services because of work schedules....so they get their fellowship in other ways. Others aren't able to get out and go to a church (homebound).
Others, for what ever reason, just choose to not be a part of an organized church. Many people have been extremely hurt by churches. Many get sick of the 'politics' of church. Many get tired of being expected to
do this or
do that in church all the time.
Our church has been through a really tough time the past few years, and especially the past year/year & a half. We've had many people leave over the past few months. Myself, I'm our church secretary and I'm here 40 hours a week. I probably see and hear things that the average church goer doesn't. At times, it can be really discouraging and disheartening. And at times, it affects my attitude on Sunday mornings and my desire to come to church. Yes, I know that church is about God and not us. But, we still have to deal with all the other stuff when we come to church, and at times that can hinder our worship.
I also do not agree with new wineskins generalization that all churches just want your money and to be part of their 'club'. I'm sure there are some churches like that, but not all are. I believe there are many churches that do exactly what God would have them do.
However, I also don't agree with the generalization that just because someone may not be part of a local church, or ever attend church, that means they are going against God or don't have a good relationship with God. We don't know that persons heart, we don't know how God is working in their life. How do we know that God didn't call them out of the church? How do we know that He doesn't have some other plan for their life. God may have something different for them to do that doesn't involved the traditional church setting.
It basically comes down to, only God truly knows our hearts. If we aren't going to church, He knows why better than anyone else, including ourselves. If He wants that person in a church, and they are truly listening to Him, then they will be convicted.