Unchurched People

[~Mrs. A2J~]

Hi,

For those of you who are are unchurched I was just wondering what the reasons were as to why you are unchurched. We are currently unchurched though we have been trying to find a church for quite a while. We live a in rural area and there aren't many churches locally. Of the churches that are there 95% are Spanish speaking only and the other 5% are Catholic which is "not our type of church". How many others are finding it hard to find a church?

 

[ZiSunka]

I tend to be unchurched for a while after moving. I was unchurched for five years after I moved to Dayton, then found a church I really liked, and now that I'm near Youngstown, I am unchurched again. Since I'm not really faithful to a denomination, it takes some time to find the church I think is right for me and get settled in.

 

[Trizm]

Well if you want to know why I was unchurched here is my reason.

Well first heres my family. I have a mother- religious father- not sure brother- spiritual 2 sisters- both spiritual
My mother never kept us into church. Im sure that many born-again believers keep their children in church so that they may find God. But my mother watches that Church channel frequently and she is religious, but she just never seemed to have a huge desire to make all of us go to church. Of course when I was younger I did not want to go to church. Im sure that there are many people who agree with me on this, but now that I am born-again I love church. I wish to make everyone at the churches I frequent my close friends so that my circle of friends wont push me into sin. So basically I never frequented church because my parents never made me. So if you are a parent reading this KEEP YOUR KIDS IN CHURCH, it really will give them values that they need. It is up to the parents to keep your kids into church and if you dont give your kids the values that they need, society will. And christian values and American values are completely different. So really the childs salvation can depend heavily upon parents. Not to say that many people who dont have a religious background are atheist, it just means that christianity is something that should be passed on.

As to why other people are unchurched I think that most Americans arent followers of Christ. I bet if we ask the average American they would say that they are a Christian, but look at our society. Its completely contradictory to what we believe and why is this??? Well the average christian is a believer and NOT a follower. So that means most people believe and pray to God but do not try to do his will. I used to pray to God always but never even think about picking up the Bible, I always said grace before I ate, I considered myself a christian but God was not the center of my life. And because God was not the center of my life, I was a slave to sin and Christ's church did not seem like a place that I wanted to be.

 

[Bevlina]

Basically because I live in a Rural area also, and because I came out of the catholic church years ago. From there I became a Mormon, and that was all wrong, so, have never been comfortable with churches since my experiences with the two.
I did attend an A.O.G, but, couldn't underderstand it. And, of course there was abuse from some. So, I didn't go back.

 

[Ave Maria]

Me, I am just happy studying and worshipping at home. Not only that but 99% of the churches in my area are way to Conservative for me. I'm honestly considering giving up on church totally. I'm not a very social person to begin with. I like the privacy of my own home and I like having my own theology. See my signature quote about truths.

 

[NJA]

There are many different people, many different churches, doctrines and interpretations. Which if any is correct ?
I've looked into what the bible says, been baptsied and received the Holy Spirit and found exciting truths coming to life.
If you can get to a meeting that simply does as God details (1 Corinthians 14) it will change your view of "church" and "life".

 

[Bevlina]

There are far too many churches. Some are huge, some are small and bound to tradition.
I have looked into what the Bible states also, and I feel that what I am doing now is as acceptable to the Lord as when I was going to church every Sunday morning.

The Lord looks on our heart, He knows our circumstances and He knows out Faith. He knows what we have need of. The original Christians lived so much differently to today's christians and I have to keep everything in perspective.
There are times when I go to church. But, does that make me a better Christian?

 

[Ave Maria]

There are far too many churches. Some are huge, some are small and bound to tradition.
I have looked into what the Bible states also, and I feel that what I am doing now is as acceptable to the Lord as when I was going to church every Sunday morning.

The Lord looks on our heart, He knows our circumstances and He knows out Faith. He knows what we have need of. The original Christians lived so much differently to today's christians and I have to keep everything in perspective.
There are times when I go to church. But, does that make me a better Christian?

Amen Bevlina! I also believe that God understands my circumstances. He also understands this really bad social anxiety that I have which makes it hard for me to go to places like church by myself.

 

[NJA]

M't:16:18: . . upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Ac:2:47: Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Going to a man-made church will achieve little and may actually undermine what faith and understanding you have.

God's will, which we should be obedient to is to join His church (through baptism in water and the Holy Spirit) and grow in His abilities - that's "love" - a doing word.

 

[AJ]

We are currently un-churched... We are visiting several churches in the local area but have struggled to find a good "fit". I have work schedule issues that require us to find a church with an evening worship service, which has been a great henderance.

My wife and I have spent lots of time in prayer and are confident that God will lead us to where He wants us to be. We have been looking for over 6 months now.

 

[Ave Maria]

M't:16:18: . . upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Ac:2:47: Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Going to a man-made church will achieve little and may actually undermine what faith and understanding you have.

God's will, which we should be obedient to is to join His church (through baptism in water and the Holy Spirit) and grow in His abilities - that's "love" - a doing word.

I agree. I see nothing wrong with not attending church. I belong to God's Church and that's what matters the most.

 

[NJA]

How can you minister that love, and be built up by the ministry of others if you are not with them ?

Heb:10:25: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is

 

[Ave Maria]

How can you minister that love, and be built up by the ministry of others if you are not with them ?

Heb:10:25: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is

I honestly feel that this verse does not apply today. It applied back then because life was hard and they were always being persecuted by the Romans. Therefore, getting together and fellowshipping was an important thing. But today, we have the Internet and can fellowship on the Internet and we can pray in private and worship God in private. Also, I feel that the above verse is merely an opinion of some Biblical writer. The author of Hebrews isn't known is it?

 

[NJA]

God set up fellowship before Roman persecution started:-

Ac:2:4: And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. . . . 42: And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Internet chat is nowhere near that - even if you can agree on the need to be spirit-filled, you still can't physically help & care, break bread, lay on hands, the demonstration of the fruit is severely limited, the gifts are can hardly be operated (like God "commands" in 1 Cor. 14), baptism . . . . .

Many people testify to the benefits to their own faith and vision by seeing (and doing) these things.

How can "the world" know our love if all we ever do is chat like this, we need to show the love of God as God's family - people of different backgrounds having all things in common.

2Jo:1:12: Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

 

[Ave Maria]

God set up fellowship before Roman persecution started:-

Ac:2:4: And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. . . . 42: And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Internet chat is nowhere near that - even if you can agree on the need to be spirit-filled, you still can't physically help & care, break bread, lay on hands, the demonstration of the fruit is severely limited, the gifts are can hardly be operated (like God "commands" in 1 Cor. 14), baptism . . . . .

Many people testify to the benefits to their own faith and vision by seeing (and doing) these things.

How can "the world" know our love if all we ever do is chat like this, we need to show the love of God as God's family - people of different backgrounds having all things in common.

2Jo:1:12: Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

Regardless, it would have been a stressful time for them. The early Christians were likely hated by many people including the Romans and the Jews.

But in all honesty, one major reason why I don't see church attendance as a requirement today is because we can easily fellowship on the Internet through forums such as this. We can also watch church services on television if we want to hear a sermon.

 

[cenimo]

This is from a site I stumbled onto, theologically correct .com,
it fits here:

What's the Big Issue ?
Why Does It Matter ?
What If I Fail to Act On It ?

Getting to the to the foundational issue.... I know you go to church, you may have been baptized, confirmed, taken communion....or you may follow another religion or you might just consider yourself 'religious' with no church affiliation whatsoever..... but who is Jesus Christ to you ?

http://www.theologicallycorrect.com/today.shtml

See - some folks know ABOUT Him - they go to church, know some scripture, know some hymns, know tradition - but they don't KNOW Him - intimately and personally. This is the type of 'relationship' that Paul speaks of when he says he wants to know Christ in the power of His resurrection and in the fellowship of His sufferings in Philippians 3:8-10.

Never really thought about that, did you ?

And knowing Him like that comes from coming to a point in your life where you realize that you are a sinner - a transgressor of God's law - and that your good works cannot save you.

 

[Bevlina]

It's knowing Him intimately which really matters. In all ways we are to strive to become more Spiritual. This we can do in the quiet of our home.
All things work together for good for those who worship God no matter how we worship, or where we worship. We must be Christlike, and I find the quiet time I spend alone with my Creator nourishes my soul.
It's one thing to know ABOUT Him, it's another to know Him as cenimo says. I've had amazing experiences while on my own.

 

[VioletAngel]

I belong to a church, but am currently looking for another. The loud, contemporary services are really getting to me. It is a joke. There is very little fellowship during these so-called "worship" services because everyone cannot hear a thing by the time it's over with. There is no church that doesn't do this which I can find! I want a worship service, not an entertainment show.

 

[loribee59]

I might as well join one of those "unchurched" after going to this current church off and on for over a year~ until last month, when my pastor preached a half hour on tithing. (I've been spiritually abused in the previous church about this issue)

I just don't know what to do~ except to do my own studying and praying and getting to KNOW God better on my own than thru someone else's teachings. The only thing that I'll miss is the fellowshipping, but then again, I can always visit my friends and fellowship with them. And I've done some fellowshipping here in CF.

 

[fallen^sparrow]

I honestly feel that this verse does not apply today. It applied back then because life was hard and they were always being persecuted by the Romans. Therefore, getting together and fellowshipping was an important thing. But today, we have the Internet and can fellowship on the Internet and we can pray in private and worship God in private. Also, I feel that the above verse is merely an opinion of some Biblical writer. The author of Hebrews isn't known is it?

Wow, this seems like a pretty slippery slope to try and stand and base your faith on. First let me say persecution today isn't any different or any less then the early Christians suffered at the hands of the Romans and Jews. On the topic of the internet "Church" ... I believe getting together and fellowshipping is an important and essential thing to do, and internet relationships, although elliciting real emotions, have little real sustenance. If you are in need of help you can cry out over the internet you'll get sympathetic replies... but its the flesh and blood person who answers your call face to face that you'll remember. Jesus came in the flesh and blood and dwelt among us. To think that we can remain isolated and attempt to carry on real personal relationships over the internet alone, although possible, isn't what God and Christ intended for us remain spiritually healthy and happy. The internet I believe can help make a difficult situation or circumstances better, but isn't an end unto itself.

fallen^sparrow