Can one be a good Christian and not go to church?

[abbygirlforever]

I am one of those people who does not go to church, but that does not mean I don't want to be in a setting of fellowship with other Christians.

I work Sundays. It's unfortunate and I'd rather not do it, but I don't have much of a choice if I want a job so I can stay in college.

However, I've heard from a friend about a Christian campus fellowship that takes place Thursdays and Saturdays. Now I can't make the Thursday meetings because I have to work (again), but Saturdays are open. If I go to this informal meeting, does that qualify as "church time"?

In other words, is it required of us to actually go to a church, or is it the gathering of believers for prayer, learning, and praise that matters? To put it another way, if I go to a Bible study group instead of church, am I wrong?

There's also a different question: if my schedule works out so that I only have time to read the Bible and pray but not get with other believers on a regular basis, am I sinning?

Personally, I believe in the fellowship of believers (i.e. believers gathering together in a park, a house, a rented room, etc.) as equivalent to offical churchgoing. Of course, proper churches do offer structure not always found in more "informal" settings, but even such non-churched settings often have basic characteristics, e.g. division of time for certain things and some sort of leader (even if said leader is not formally recognized).

 

[kahtar]

From my perspective, that would certainly qualify, Abby.
If you look at the first century church, you will see that they often met in homes, going from house to house, etc. They also met in synagogues.
Jesus gathered the people together by the sea of Galilee and many other places, and in fact rarely did His teaching in the synagogue.
Remember, it is a spiritual Kingdom we are in, and God is worshipped in spirit, and truth. Our own bodies are now the Temple in which God dwells, and it is there that we meet with Him.

 

[vanshan]

Here is a timeline illustrating at what point denominations began fragmenting from the single Church which had existed at the time of Christ and the apostles:

Source: http://www.saintignatiuschurch.org/timeline.html

I would encourage everyone to try and get back to God's origninal intent for the Church, rather than redefining it as whatever they would like now, 2000 years later.



Basil

 

[CaptainMercy]

I am one of those people who does not go to church, but that does not mean I don't want to be in a setting of fellowship with other Christians.

I work Sundays. It's unfortunate and I'd rather not do it, but I don't have much of a choice if I want a job so I can stay in college.

However, I've heard from a friend about a Christian campus fellowship that takes place Thursdays and Saturdays. Now I can't make the Thursday meetings because I have to work (again), but Saturdays are open. If I go to this informal meeting, does that qualify as "church time"?

In other words, is it required of us to actually go to a church, or is it the gathering of believers for prayer, learning, and praise that matters? To put it another way, if I go to a Bible study group instead of church, am I wrong?

There's also a different question: if my schedule works out so that I only have time to read the Bible and pray but not get with other believers on a regular basis, am I sinning?

Personally, I believe in the fellowship of believers (i.e. believers gathering together in a park, a house, a rented room, etc.) as equivalent to offical churchgoing. Of course, proper churches do offer structure not always found in more "informal" settings, but even such non-churched settings often have basic characteristics, e.g. division of time for certain things and some sort of leader (even if said leader is not formally recognized).

I would encourage you to seek out some fellow christians that you can spend time with and share in your christian faith with! We are instructed not to forsake our assembling together and also to do so more as we see the time or day approaching! When you are able to attend then do so by all means! Also continue to seek God's direction in this matter as He is the one who needs to answer your question! No matter what man says it is God who has the final say on these matters! He is the judge and not we humans!

 

[ThreeAM]

I was just thinking aimlessly the other day and started thinking about church and where it fits in for Christianity. I got to thinking whether or not attending church was a necessity for being a "good" Christian. Do you think that one who doesn't attend church can still be a good Christian?

Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

God wants us to spread His gospel so He can come again. When you don't go to church you weaken the effort to take the gospel to the whole world. Taking the gospel to the whole world will take the efforts of a large group of well orginized well financed Christians who work together for that goal.

 

[Iollain]

I was just thinking aimlessly the other day and started thinking about church and where it fits in for Christianity. I got to thinking whether or not attending church was a necessity for being a "good" Christian. Do you think that one who doesn't attend church can still be a good Christian?

I suppose you could, but it is best to meet with other believers, they are your family in Christ and the Bible says to not forsake meeting with them.

 

[JimfromOhio]

Attending church services, taking catechism classes, sunday schools, serving being baptized, receiving communion and much more are very important. What's more important is this: I am a Christian simply because I have accept Christ as my Lord and Savior. As a disciple, my Christian faith should be inward, not outward because the Bible teaches that faith is of the spirit and not of the flesh. Christ dwells in my heart, and "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27) is the burning core of the Christian faith. If you are a Christ-follower, then you are already a member of eternal invisible Church. This is eternal and unchanging (I Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 2:13-22; 4:3-6; Colossians 1:13-22). Everyone who is saved is a member of God's Kingdom. We belong to a local Church because God told us through the Word (Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians. 12:25-31; 14:12, 26; Hebrews 10:24-25; I Tim. 3:14-15). The primary reason to become a participating member is not to gain a personal advantage, but to identify with the characteristics of biblical maturity and commitment to the mission and future of a local church. The Scriptures teach every believers to be committed to a local church where he or she is loved and cared for, instructed in the things Christ commanded, encouraged to grow spiritually, and serving Christ effectively. If we serve effectively, a local church can and WILL grow. We are to grow spiritually and allow the Holy Spirit do the rest including church growth.

 

[JohnR7]

I got to thinking whether or not attending church was a necessity for being a "good" Christian.

I believe in a two fold atonement. Jesus died to reconcil us with the Father, but also to reconcil us with each other.

Matthew 18:20
"For where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst."

 

[WarriorAngel]

1 Timothy 3 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.



So where does it say we are truth unto ourselves?
Where does it say we do not need Church?

For if Church was unimportant...then why did Christ establish it??

Matthew 16 18 And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

 

[Borealis]

I was just thinking aimlessly the other day and started thinking about church and where it fits in for Christianity. I got to thinking whether or not attending church was a necessity for being a "good" Christian. Do you think that one who doesn't attend church can still be a good Christian?

Not attending weekly mass is a venial sin, so I'd say that yes, we do need to attend church. Besides, why on earth would you want to miss being in the physical presence of Christ?

 

[blueapplepaste]

Not attending weekly mass is a venial sin, so I'd say that yes, we do need to attend church. Besides, why on earth would you want to miss being in the physical presence of Christ?

My question was a general one and I was seeking others' opinions on it and to hear their thoughts. More or less for just some friendly conversation on the subject. I understand that as Catholics going to church and recieving Eucharist is vital to our faith.

 

[tigercub]

Not attending weekly mass is a venial sin, so I'd say that yes, we do need to attend church. Besides, why on earth would you want to miss being in the physical presence of Christ?

Therein lies the common misconception that God is only present within a building we call church.

 

[WarriorAngel]

1 Timothy 3 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.



So where does it say we are truth unto ourselves?
Where does it say we do not need Church?

For if Church was unimportant...then why did Christ establish it??

Matthew 16 18 And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The Church is the Doctrines laid down by Christ, the teaching..[Apostles and their successors] and the fellowship with others...3 parts.

BUT in many cases, the established Church in the NT is referring to the doctrines of Christ.....which can only be taught by those who ARE IN Church.

Also, we are to receive Christ at Mass. Literally our Lord Who is given to us completely and fully in the Eucharist.

 

[simonthezealot]

The Church is the Doctrines laid down by Christ, the teaching..[Apostles and their successors] and the fellowship with others...3 parts.

BUT in many cases, the established Church in the NT is referring to the doctrines of Christ.....which can only be taught by those who ARE IN Church.

Also, we are to receive Christ at Mass. Literally our Lord Who is given to us completely and fully in the Eucharist.

WA,
Have you ever compared your church to the church Christ and Paul and the other apostles speak of?

Simon says...
I think churches (generally speaking) that claim they are of apostolic tradition need to reevaluate what church is as spoken of in the New Testament.