Giving up on church?

Gentle Lamb said:

Being part of a church has been really hard for me!!! Has anyone given up on church while still holding on to faith in Christ? What made you give up or not give up?

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I started feeling what other people did. So the sin under the surface of the good intentions would take hold of me from everyone.

I couldn't really find a way around it, getting prayer didn't help, and quite often people would act like what I was experiencing didn't exist.

I'd say I haven't given up, but am not able to manage spiritually what I began to experience. This is important to identify since I cannot rely on others to accommodate me regarding this, it's simply not realistic. So for now, I remain in isolation until this liability becomes a benefit to all.

I doubt anything that extreme happens to most people so, there's not really a reason to not attend a church since there's congregations accommodating most personality types.

Holding onto Christ isn't that hard, since He doesn't let you go. Just giving up association of God with said church activity leaves little to look at if too much of your time at a community was consumed by activities. However, over time the mind seeks replacement activities to fill in the gap, when this happens seek to strengthen your trust in God so you can continually receive the Holy Spirit, this is basic.

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Gentle Lamb said:

Being part of a church has been really hard for me!!! Has anyone given up on church while still holding on to faith in Christ? What made you give up or not give up?

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I would be interested in knowing your reasons to enable me to give back more on the discussion. I would agree with you. It has always been hard for me, but I have held onto my faith for over 30 years now while not attending church as a 'regular'.

I am a true introvert, and the modern church is not designed to accommodate or even accept that. I honestly don't even think most 'modern' churches even understand introversion. However, God created and wired me this way, and it isn't a sin, so what do I do?

I have read some good books on it if that is your issue as well.

Like some of the other posters here, I have also had work schedule issues and have found most churches to be extremely friendly until they realize you aren't going to be able to be there every Sunday (due to work), and then you get placed into a different group within the body.

I understand the church as an imperfect place, but I also know the difference between the body and the church. My introversion is not a sin, and I can't repent of that and become a different person for the sake of how people think I should act.

Gentle Lamb said:

Being part of a church has been really hard for me!!! Has anyone given up on church while still holding on to faith in Christ? What made you give up or not give up?

Click to expand...

Well, I know Christ will never give up on me, so regardless of Church, where can you practice the true faith best? Christ is clear, we are not to worship Him individually, for the most part. Christianity is a communal religion. I found my freedom in Catholicism. I believe it all makes such good sense. Now Catholics...thems some strange folk...

2PhiloVoid said:

Yes. My wife did. And I've had the hardest time getting my son to feel comfortable at the local churches.

Thanks to "other Christians," we no longer step foot in a church building and although I'll try to find yet another church, it'll be done -- yet again -- by myself.

And what caused my wife and son to feel uncomfortable? Other finger pointing Christians.

Fortunately, I have thicker skin and a philosophical wit, so I'm able to put up with the most obnoxious folks one has to face, even in the Church. So, I'll still be going, assuming that my health holds up to do so.

With the above in hindsight, the first thing you'll need to come to grips with is that there is no such thing as a perfect local church. Being any church is made up of human individuals, each with their own personalities, ability levels, needs and set of sins, there'll always be some persons in and among us who will vex us for various reasons, and we'll have to apply the spiritual quality of "forbearance" and "wisdom" in order to deal with him or her.

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Very interesting note, brother, and sad to hear of some differences in your family. As some of us have found, God's Word and intention for the saints is "unity of the faith" and Christian love; and that we should all together want to bow to Bible-only. There is such gatherings in the world which are together on the scriptural ground apart from denominated sects --valuing the 'priesthood' of all saints (as 1 Peter 2: 5 & 9) . I have been much helped by the studies at the Biblecounsel website, which is a Bible-only fellowship known in many countries. I really believe God is pleased with those who value His Word against religious ideas of many men.

Gentle Lamb said:

Being part of a church has been really hard for me!!! Has anyone given up on church while still holding on to faith in Christ? What made you give up or not give up?

Click to expand...

We cannot give up on church because it is part of Jesus Christ. Remember the 7 churches from the book of Revelation that Jesus Christ spoke about?
Ephesians:5:23 " For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body."
Colossians 1:18 " He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything."

Marumorose said:

Remember the 7 churches from the book of Revelation that Jesus Christ spoke about?

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Yes, I do. And I recall that Jesus warned He would remove the lampstands - that is, the churches themselves - out of their places if they did not repent when they were in sin.

Hi @Gentle Lamb

Gentle Lamb said:

Being part of a church has been really hard for me!!! Has anyone given up on church while still holding on to faith in Christ? What made you give up or not give up?

Click to expand...

I know what you mean. It was hard, and is still hard, for me too.

However, thankfully my walk with the Lord has never been better. My whole day is pretty much consumed with studying His ways and giving Him thanksgiving.

Yes, the fellowship aspect of Church is very good and needed. But I couldn't tolerate the hypocrisy or diluted/empty teachings I was hearing - in my experiences and the churches I visited. In this way, going to church can cause problems as it will give the attendees a false sense of knowing the Word.

I think small house groups, like the early church, is the way to go forward. Alas, most Christians aren't happy doing this unless it comes "under the authority of a church".

But whether you choose to stay out of modern churches or join one, remember to stay in the Word and and question every preconceived idea you have and everything you are taught - then you will do well.

Love & Shalom