Regular church attendance.

[dayhiker]

I attend church ever Sunday I can. I just got my weekly email, small sermon/announcements from church. The sermon was get back to church regularly now that summer is over. One of the reasons was as follows:

Attending church regularly sets an example to unbelievers in your life. As a faithful church attender, you will receive questions from those in your life who are not believers. They will ask why it is so important to you. They will ask why you are willing to give up attending that soccer match or baseball game to attend church.

Now in 55 years of attending church close to weekly, much of my life 3x a week and with almost everyone I know knowing that I got to church regularly I've never had this question asked to me.
Do other people have this question asked of them?

 

[blackribbon]

I attend church ever Sunday I can. I just got my weekly email, small sermon/announcements from church. The sermon was get back to church regularly now that summer is over. One of the reasons was as follows:

Attending church regularly sets an example to unbelievers in your life. As a faithful church attender, you will receive questions from those in your life who are not believers. They will ask why it is so important to you. They will ask why you are willing to give up attending that soccer match or baseball game to attend church.

Now in 55 years of attending church close to weekly, much of my life 3x a week and with almost everyone I know knowing that I got to church regularly I've never had this question asked to me.
Do other people have this question asked of them?

I think attending church regularly is good for our personal health. However we do live in a world where Sunday morning is no longer taboo for activities. I fight knowing what to do when my kids have activities (often sport tournaments) that now are played on Sunday mornings. I am not a regular church goer and I believe it hurts me and my kids more than it is a guilt thing. You don't build the relationship with other Christians which in turns helps edify ourselves. My job is now one that often does interfere in regular attendence and it isn't a situation I can negoiate around. I know some nurses whose husbands pick them up from the hospital on Sunday mornings and do the driving...but I am not safe to do anything but drive home after a long shift and I really mostly don't feel clean enough to want to risk carrying hospital germs into public places (I won't grocery shop or anything else after work either).

I am one of the ones who has given up Sunday service to spend the weekend with my family at a baseball tournament multiple times. However, during those seasons, I try to make sure everyone is in some sort of weekly weekday program to help compensate for it. I imagine I will be making the same choices when my kids have kids and I am sitting in the bleachers watching a 10am baseball/softball game while cheering on my grandchildren.

I believe regular church attendance is important. I know parents who do not make tournaments or let their kids even play sports because of the Sunday morning games....and I respect their right to make the choices I do. I know a lot of us parents sit in those bleachers in turmoil though about what we are teaching our kids. I hope I am living my beliefs enough on Mon-Sat for them to realize that Christianity isn't limited to Sunday morning or church property.

 

[exitstageright]

I attend church ever Sunday I can. I just got my weekly email, small sermon/announcements from church. The sermon was get back to church regularly now that summer is over. One of the reasons was as follows:

Attending church regularly sets an example to unbelievers in your life. As a faithful church attender, you will receive questions from those in your life who are not believers. They will ask why it is so important to you. They will ask why you are willing to give up attending that soccer match or baseball game to attend church.

Now in 55 years of attending church close to weekly, much of my life 3x a week and with almost everyone I know knowing that I got to church regularly I've never had this question asked to me.
Do other people have this question asked of them?

Regarding sports on T.V.,I think ,that the inventor of the VCR,was a christian wife,that did not want her husband missing church,because of a game on T.V. If a game is being recorded,he has no excuse to miss church. He can drive home,with the radio turned off. He can rewind the recording,and watch the game.

My co-workers know that I regularly attend church. Because,I invite them to my Easter and Christmas Productions.
I once posted one of our production posters. But,some heathen removed the poster.

 

[quietpraiyze]

I attend church ever Sunday I can. I just got my weekly email, small sermon/announcements from church. The sermon was get back to church regularly now that summer is over. One of the reasons was as follows:

Attending church regularly sets an example to unbelievers in your life. As a faithful church attender, you will receive questions from those in your life who are not believers. They will ask why it is so important to you. They will ask why you are willing to give up attending that soccer match or baseball game to attend church.

Now in 55 years of attending church close to weekly, much of my life 3x a week and with almost everyone I know knowing that I got to church regularly I've never had this question asked to me.
Do other people have this question asked of them?

That sounds very manipulative. The Lord led me out of the IC years ago. About two weeks ago I was out running errands one late Sunday (5:00 pm). Out of nowhere a young woman I did not know walked up to me and asked me “can you pray for me?” I told her, “yes we can pray right now” and we did! Later that evening I wondered to myself why did she pick me? How did she know I could pray? This is not the first time this has happened to me but I don't recall any unbelievers questioning me about what church I go to and how often.

 

[exitstageright]

That sounds very manipulative. The Lord led me out of the IC years ago. About two weeks ago I was out running errands one late Sunday (5:00 pm). Out of nowhere a young woman I did not know walked up to me and asked me “can you pray for me?” I told her, “yes we can pray right now” and we did! Later that evening I wondered to myself why did she pick me? How did she know I could pray? This is not the first time this has happened to me but I don't recall any unbelievers questioning me about what church I go to and how often.

Wow! Quietpraiyze I had a very similar experience in Stockton,California.

In,Stockton,in the old downtown area,I was headed to a bar.(I will explain later about the bar.)An un-kept man was walking towards me. I thought that he might be a homeless junkie. He asked me, ”Sir, can I ask you a question?” I said, ”Yes!” But, I thought to myself,” oh no! Here comes the begging line!” But, he surprised me by asking me, ”Are you a Christian?” I said, ”Yes!” He then asked me, ”Are you a bonafied Christian?” I told him, ”Yes!” He asked me, ”Can you pray for me ,and my “old lady”? I told him,” Yes!”

My plan was to start with The Model Prayer ,AKA, ”The Lord’s Prayer", then to pray for him, and his lady.

When I started praying ,I kept my eyes opened. I heard that ,while praying on the street, one is to keep one’s eyes open. I put both of my hands upon his shoulders,one hand on each shoulder.Before I finished The Lord’s Prayer, he started crying. We both began to shake. After I finished praying, he seemed to be relieved of some heavy burden. I even felt better, as I realized that I was used by GOD to minister to a hurting person.

Now , about the bar. Yes, I admit that I do have a weakness for women .I was on my way to that bar to try to pick up some woman. But, GOD had other plans. If I had not been walking to that bar,I would have never met this man. So, GOD used my weakness(the bar) to put me into the path of this man,who needed to be ministered to.

 

[quietpraiyze]

Wow! Quietpraiyze I had a very similar experience in Stockton,California.

In,Stockton,in the old downtown area,I was headed to a bar.(I will explain later about the bar.)An un-kept man was walking towards me. I thought that he might be a homeless junkie. He asked me, ”Sir, can I ask you a question?” I said, ”Yes!” But, I thought to myself,” oh no! Here comes the begging line!” But, he surprised me by asking me, ”Are you a Christian?” I said, ”Yes!” He then asked me, ”Are you a bonafied Christian?” I told him, ”Yes!” He asked me, ”Can you pray for me ,and my “old lady”? I told him,” Yes!”

My plan was to start with The Model Prayer ,AKA, ”The Lord’s Prayer", then to pray for him, and his lady.

When I started praying ,I kept my eyes opened. I heard that ,while praying on the street, one is to keep one’s eyes open. I put both of my hands upon his shoulders,one hand on each shoulder.Before I finished The Lord’s Prayer, he started crying. We both began to shake. After I finished praying, he seemed to be relieved of some heavy burden. I even felt better, as I realized that I was used by GOD to minister to a hurting person.

Now , about the bar. Yes, I admit that I do have a weakness for women .I was on my way to that bar to try to pick up some woman. But, GOD had other plans. If I had not been walking to that bar,I would have never met this man. So, GOD used my weakness(the bar) to put me into the path of this man,who needed to be ministered to.

I call them “divine appointments”. I think God does things like this to encourage US as well. I don't know about you but sometimes I feel like I'm not really anything righteous and that I'm not worthy of being used. Then some kind of way the Lord will let me know He loves me and He gets me. So I think many times He uses us in this way to let us know we belong to Him and that our light is shining even when we're not really thinking about it...

*I do not believe in praying with your eyes closed. Especially since I can't find it in Scripture...

 

[exitstageright]

I call them “divine appointments”. I think God does things like this to encourage US as well. I don't know about you but sometimes I feel like I'm not really anything righteous and that I'm not worthy of being used. Then some kind of way the Lord will let me know He loves me and He gets me. So I think many times He uses us in this way to let us know we belong to Him and that our light is shining even when we're not really thinking about it...

*I do not believe in praying with your eyes closed. Especially since I can't find it in Scripture...

I think,because our world has so many distractions,that we are told to close our eyes,while praying,in order to help us concentrate more.
Yes, I am convinced that GOD uses situations like this to encourage us.

 

[quietpraiyze]

I think,because our world has so many distractions,that we are told to close our eyes,while praying,in order to help us concentrate more.
Yes, I am convinced that GOD uses situations like this to encourage us.

I googled it and from the little bit I read it was talking about praying (private or collective) with your eyes closed may be more historical in dealing with “rulers” as a form of deference and humility . I didn't see anything about when you're praying for others but then again I didn't look that hard either. I just don't think it's wise to pray for others with your eyes closed but I guess it's whatever people feel comfortable doing...

 

[Rasnosauj]

I know others want to go church cause I do, because how else am I feeling so good on Sundays.

I think,because our world has so many distractions,that we are told to close our eyes,while praying,in order to help us concentrate more.
Yes, I am convinced that GOD uses situations like this to encourage us.

Homie, could you say a prayer that I feel good enough waking up early in da monangs to go to church?

 

[Goodbook]

I attend church ever Sunday I can. I just got my weekly email, small sermon/announcements from church. The sermon was get back to church regularly now that summer is over. One of the reasons was as follows:

Attending church regularly sets an example to unbelievers in your life. As a faithful church attender, you will receive questions from those in your life who are not believers. They will ask why it is so important to you. They will ask why you are willing to give up attending that soccer match or baseball game to attend church.

Now in 55 years of attending church close to weekly, much of my life 3x a week and with almost everyone I know knowing that I got to church regularly I've never had this question asked to me.
Do other people have this question asked of them?

Asking why its so important to you? Well not in so many words, but i think unbelieving ppl learn its important to me.

As for sports events well I never went to them in the first place but if somethings on at the same time, like the market, I am willing to give that up to go to church or gather with believers instead. I dont need to go shopping on sunday, the shops are open all the other days of the week..,

 

[dayhiker]

I'm sure people have been asked by they go to church. But from my experience I'm thinking its not very common. So I'll got to church for better reasons.

 

[Goodbook]

Well Im sure people dont go just to say they go lol.

 

[JAM2b]

I've never been asked those questions, ever. Also people have commented on my behavior, life choices, and faith when I have not been attending regularly, and have even been against the general church model we know today.

I believe that a faith-filled life, affected by a relationship with the Lord, and the way we treat others, and respond to difficult situations and people says way more about our beliefs than church attendance.

 

[Servant68]

I've never been asked why I go to church. I've been asked several times what church I go to, and I have asked people I just met what church they go to. Often, they don't attend church and are flustered or embarrassed when asked the question.

I've been to church three times in the past three months due to my schedule. I miss it horribly...

 

[Sir Robbins]

Well Im sure people dont go just to say they go lol.

you'd be surprised to learn that's a solid reason deep down for many to fulfil their "image"

 

[dayhiker]

you'd be surprised to learn that's a solid reason deep down for many to fulfil their "image"

I've never meet anyone that I felt that they went to church just to fulfill their image. Maybe I don't have a clue. God knows. I just love them and accept them for who they tell me they are.

 

[Sir Robbins]

I've never meet anyone that I felt that they went to church just to fulfill their image. Maybe I don't have a clue. God knows. I just love them and accept them for who they tell me they are.

I'm not sure of your age (not that it matters) but people in my range (26-35 ish) I often saw in church and in real life as two totally separate people. They sat in church on their phones the whole time, left with their family, went back into the real world of premarital sex, drug use, going to strip clubs and such. I have witnessed this from many via my facebook days after seeing them in church and even dressed up.. Lots of people living double lives. I'm not judging though as people could make this impression of me too

 

[dayhiker]

I'm not sure of your age (not that it matters) but people in my range (26-35 ish) I often saw in church and in real life as two totally separate people. They sat in church on their phones the whole time, left with their family, went back into the real world of premarital sex, drug use, going to strip clubs and such. I have witnessed this from many via my facebook days after seeing them in church and even dressed up.. Lots of people living double lives. I'm not judging though as people could make this impression of me too

I guess I can understand that from younger people. I'm older and don't get to hang around young people to hear their stories. I'd assumed it they didn't love Jesus they had stopped going to church. The older people I meet in church have it settled they love Jesus. Some are struggling to leave sin behind. I don't see that as a double life, I see that as people are hurt and are still looking for God to heal them.

 

[NotUrAvgGuy]

I like the way an old pastor of mine put it: "The church gathered is for corporate worship and edification; the church scattered is to seek and save the lost." In other words the main purpose of church is for the saints to gather for worship, edification, and fellowship. It is where we (believers) go to grow and rub elbows with fellow believers. When we are not at church (scattered) then we live our faith "out loud" and are always ready to give a reason for the hope we have within us. When people ask me on Monday morning at work what I did on the weekend I always include that I went to church. Why should I leave that out? Lord willing as they get to know me and see my faith in action and begin to wonder why I am the way I am they might recall that I go to church each week.

I am who I am by the grace of God and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Church does not make me a Christian but we are commanded to not forsake assembling together and a good church does equip and provide opportunities to bless others and that carries over into your life outside of church.

Too much evangelism has come to be inviting people to church rather than personally sharing Christ with them. I first want them to fall in love with Jesus. Finding a church can come later. I go to church for me and to benefit from the gifts of others. It convicts me, recharges me, reminds me that I am part of a family that loves me. Back in my competitive days I skipped events that conflicted with church. I want to put the Lord first.