Why haven't you left the church? - And why I haven't.

Genenco · Jan 15, 2023

Jonaitis said:
If they have regular services, then there should be nothing wrong. If they just have holiday services, then I would question it.

No it's the holiday services I don't agree with. But the regular services are ok

Jonaitis · Jan 15, 2023

Genenco said:
No it's the holiday services I don't agree with. But the regular services are ok

Why are the holiday services wrong?

Genenco · Jan 15, 2023

Jonaitis said:
If they have regular services, then there should be nothing wrong. If they just have holiday services, then I would question it.

No it's the holiday services I don't agree with. But the regular services are ok

Jonaitis said:
Why are the holiday services wrong?

Because there's no mention Of them biblically.

Jonaitis · Jan 15, 2023

Genenco said:
Because there's no mention Of them biblically.

I agree with you on that, but I would still attend. However, I am aware of those who are staunchly against holidays that they would not attend any church that celebrates it. You could just not attend those services. I still think that is not enough reasoning to outweigh being churchless. It is not healthier for a Christian to be without a church-body at all than to miss a few Sundays during holiday seasons.

Genenco · Jan 16, 2023

Jonaitis said:
I agree with you on that, but I would still attend. However, I am aware of those who are staunchly against holidays that they would not attend any church that celebrates it. You could just not attend those services. I still think that is not enough reasoning to outweigh being churchless.

Thank you ever so much. I want not to "avoid the masses" as it's said biblically, but wondered if it was too stringent a position.

Jonaitis · Jan 16, 2023

Genenco said:
Thank you ever so much. I want not to "avoid the masses" as it's said biblically, but wondered if it was too stringent a position.

I was very stringent on that matter myself for a number of years, but have over time learned the real importance of gathering with the saints. It just isn't worth sacrificing for a few Sundays.

SeventhFisherofMen · Jan 16, 2023

Saint Steven said:
There was a time when I was rather troubled by Christians I met online that weren't attending a church.
I had been raised in the church, and had attended most of my life. Except for a few years when I was a young adult.

So, why a Christian wouldn't attend church was a mystery to me.
Weren't we admonished to not NEGLECT the assembling of ourselves together as SOME were in the HABIT of doing?

I remember one cold Sunday morning when my car wouldn't start. I actually borrowed a car to get to my family to church.
To me, a Christian without a church was like a fish without a lake.

So, I encouraged my online friends to find a church. I think it would have been easier to get them to a dentist after years of neglect.
In pressing them on the issue I learned a few things. They had reasons. Not necessarily GOOD reasons, but reasons.

Some had suffered abuse, which is a good reason to leave, I guess. I had suffered abuse as well, but I stayed. How come?
Anyway, with the help of God and some Christian support, I have remained at church.

I no longer judge those who don't attend. As I discovered, they have their reasons. And I have my reasons to stay.
The worship, preaching, fellowship, and ministry opportunities are good for me. I attend with my wife who also grew up in the church.

So, why haven't you left the church? Or, why have you stayed?

Those who don't attend are invited weigh in as well. Why have you left, or never joined, the church?
I think there are tons of reasons NOT to attend. So, I won't try to talk you into it. Unless you want me too.

If you don't attend, what do you do about; worship, preaching, fellowship, and ministry opportunities?

I haven't attended church because where my location is there is a lot of occult activity and the churches are full of people who are involved in that kind of stuff, and i don't feel safe being there. I still watch online services and know there are genuine believers that attend, but the verse about wolves in sheep clothing is true and weeds among good plants are also true. Let both grow until the harvest but definitely know there are legit reasons for not attending a physical church.

Ceallaigh · Jan 16, 2023

Sometimes I wanna go where everybody knows my name, and they're always glad I came.

For me for a long time, a small bible teaching church is the place to attend. I think usually only sincere Christians seek such an environment, so usually one is in good company.

seeking.IAM · Jan 16, 2023

There have been periods in my life during which I have lapsed in church attendance. Generally, it was while transitioning from one community to the next, but in each instance there was an accompanying thought that I didn't really need Church to sustain my faith. I have come to believe I was wrong about that -- leastwise for me. After a while, I would become relaxed in my discipline of personal practice. Days could pass without being mindful of my faith. I haven't left church because it helps be stay focused, it permits me a place to worship along side other Christians, to consider other Christian thoughts and points of view beyond my own, and to participate in the sacraments. I have never really gone to church in search of fellowship or social attachments. I don't particularly need or care about that, yet it generally happens without my looking or necessarily desiring it.

WolfGate · Jan 16, 2023

While I agree it is desirable and definitely best to have a church home, there are times in some people's lives where that will not happen. Some have already mentioned being in an area where a theologically acceptable church is hard to find. The OP alluded to issues of abuse. Sadly, there are IMO many more cases of people who struggle with organized churches because they have been betrayed by leaders at the church they attended than there are people who can't find an acceptable theological church. In ministering to those people, the goal is always to help them get back to being able to trust enough and discern enough to find a church home, but honestly that process can take years in some cases. Keeping them focused on Christ as they work through trauma caused by a church is the primary goal - I think God would excuse them not attending on Sunday's during that season of their lives.

ViaCrucis · Jan 16, 2023

Genenco said:
No it's the holiday services I don't agree with. But the regular services are ok

Because there's no mention Of them biblically.

There are a lot of things the Bible doesn't specifically mention. That doesn't make them wrong. The different days, times, and seasons of the Church Year are for our benefit. If one looks at the Church Calendar one will go through the entire Gospel story, from the hopeful anticipation of Israel for her Messiah (Advent), the coming and birth of the Lord Jesus to Mary (Christmas), His baptism in the Jordan (Epiphany), His temptations in the wilderness and earthly ministry (Lent), His Passion (Good Friday), His resurrection (Easter), His ascension (Ascension Sunday), the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost (Pentecost), and our anticipation and longing for His return (back to Advent again).

If one lives their life thinking if the Bible doesn't specifically mention something then it is bad, then you're going to miss out on a lot of life and have a hard time doing anything. What the Bible condemns, don't do; what the Bible commands, do; what the Bible neither condemns nor commands, abide by your conscience. If your only problem with traditional Christian holidays is they aren't mentioned in the Bible, then maybe you should look into the reason why we have them. That might benefit you and help change your mind on the subject.

-CryptoLutheran

Presbyterian Continuist · Jan 29, 2023

Blade said:
Times not going.. lazy no more no less. Today we passed like 4 Churches and then I remember how some talk about how more and more are not going to Church. Well two were just like one block apart from Grace to what have you you and WOW praise GOD they were packed!

I would never condemn anyone that didn't go.. Christ does not. I would just ask them to ask Him if there is a place He would like you to go to. Praise GOD

I can understand young people getting disillusioned with the flat and lifeless church services, and who cannot see the link between the life and power of the early church that started with the Day of Pentecost, and the powerless, worldly state of our present day churches. For many churches there is not enough power to fire the cork out of a popgun! Tragic for our lost world who needs to see a powerful Christ-centred church to give them hope.

Saint Steven · Jan 29, 2023

Watchman1 said:
I can understand young people getting disillusioned with the flat and lifeless church services, and who cannot see the link between the life and power of the early church that started with the Day of Pentecost, and the powerless, worldly state of our present day churches. For many churches there is not enough power to fire the cork out of a popgun! Tragic for our lost world who needs to see a powerful Christ-centred church to give them hope.

Agreed. Great post, thanks.
What do you see as the marks of a living and powerful church today?

Presbyterian Continuist · Jan 29, 2023

Saint Steven said:
Agreed. Great post, thanks.
What do you see as the marks of a living and powerful church today?

When unconverted people, when they get close to that church become convicted of their sin and ask, "What shall we do?"

There was one Korean church in the 1950s where the people living all the streets surrounding the church became converted to Christ. Now that was a powerful church.

Saint Steven · Jan 29, 2023

Watchman1 said:
When unconverted people, when they get close to that church become convicted of their sin and ask, "What shall we do?"

There was one Korean church in the 1950s where the people living all the streets surrounding the church became converted to Christ. Now that was a powerful church.

Yes, indeed.
That's setting the bar pretty high. Sounds like historic revival happenings.
We aren't seeing that currently, that I know of. And frankly, only God can do that.
Certainly we can want it badly, but God decides when to deliver.

In the meantime, what do we do?

Paidiske · Jan 29, 2023

Saint Steven said:
In the meantime, what do we do?

We build community. We proclaim the good news. We teach, baptise, and nurture faith. We serve those in need. We transform injustice and pursue peace. We safeguard the integrity of the environment. We live as the church we're called to be.

Presbyterian Continuist · Jan 29, 2023

Saint Steven said:
Yes, indeed.
That's setting the bar pretty high. Sounds like historic revival happenings.
We aren't seeing that currently, that I know of. And frankly, only God can do that.
Certainly we can want it badly, but God decides when to deliver.

In the meantime, what do we do?

Do what Evan Roberts did. He prayed 13 years for revival before the Welsh Revival broke out. Seeing that he was 28 when that happened, he was 15 years old when he started praying. I heard a good story about John Wimber. He started his healing ministry, and it was 11 years before the first person he prayed for got healed. He asked the Lord why it took so long, and the Lord replied, "I wanted to make sure that you meant business!"

peacefulseeker · Jan 29, 2023

In today's day and age, modern communication is done online, case in point this.website. People are less outgoing in public, more self conscious etc.

I imagine people often don't enjoy the hassle of waking up early, getting into nice clothes and hauling themselves to church. Or, it may be a distance and there is a cost to travel.

I'd like to be going to a church more often, my lack of inspiration at the moment denies me the energy to do so. Sadly.

Saint Steven · Jan 29, 2023

Watchman1 said:
I heard a good story about John Wimber. He started his healing ministry, and it was 11 years before the first person he prayed for got healed. He asked the Lord why it took so long, and the Lord replied, "I wanted to make sure that you meant business!"

Thanks for mentioning John Wimber. (Vineyard) He was a great influence on my spiritual journey. I hadn't heard the story you just related. Much appreciated.

How long have you been praying for revival, or whatever?

Saint Steven · Jan 29, 2023

peacefulseeker said:
In today's day and age, modern communication is done online, case in point this.website. People are less outgoing in public, more self conscious etc.

I imagine people often don't enjoy the hassle of waking up early, getting into nice clothes and hauling themselves to church. Or, it may be a distance and there is a cost to travel.

I'd like to be going to a church more often, my lack of inspiration at the moment denies me the energy to do so. Sadly.

Thanks for weighing in on this topic. You make some good points.

The churches I have attended don't require dressing up. That helps.

Many churches have online services for those who can't show up. But...

What do you feel you are missing if you aren't there in person?

Why haven't you left the church? - And why I haven't.

Don't mind me, I'm hiding.

Soli Deo Gloria

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Soli Deo Gloria

Don't mind me, I'm hiding.

Soli Deo Gloria

You cannot fool Jesus

May God be with you and bless you.

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