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RE: Acceptable Reasons to NOT Go to Church. - 11/5/2009 4:07:03 AM
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LedZeppelin
Posts: 9
Joined: 10/30/2009
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: daughteroftheking718
The Body is a family and how can they be connected if they aren't part of a local body? As for those who are sporadic I'd wonder if they even care in the first place.
No offense to you, but that is a very derogatory and insulting statement. That those, such as me, who have renounced "fellowship" (when it was never real fellowship to begin with) never really "cared in the first place". A bit like blaming women when they are raped because they wear revealing clothing.
I "cared" for many years and served faithfully and generously. It's because I served so much that I got so disappointed when I found out the reality of "church". For me, it was anything but a "family".
I have been ripped off, lied to, slandered, cheated, insulted by so many in the church, right up to the the senior pastors and even state division leaders. As an eg, I took a man into my home that was out on the streets, from my local church. I loaned him money, helped him to rent a home and gave him my old car on the proviso that he slowly pay me back. And he walked out on me, defaulted and ran away. And in the end, he told me off when I asked for my money back and accused me of being Godless.
Then, my senior pastors told me I was not a "member" of the church despite serving and giving and attending for almost a decade.
I also faithfully visited a young guy a couple of times a month for many, many years. He was into drugs, binge drinking, gambling etc. He eventually came good and returned to fellowship and served on the music ministry. And in the end, he told me off too. Ironically, it was when he got back into church that he started to become really arrogant and rude. He became like a Pharisee when he returned to church and cleaned himself up. Someone who was degenerate for many years now saw "sin" in everything. He became indignant once when I bought a secular cd for us to listen to when I visited him. The same guy that left me a drunken message on my phone once. And now I'm a "sinner" because I dare bring a secular cd.
How outrageous of me!!!
Do you want me to keep going?
What about the same senior pastor that told me I was not a "member" of the church despite serving for almost a decade. Well, 6 months later, I moved area and was studying at university. I decided to forgive and forget and bury the hatchet and call my old pastors and catch up with them. Their tone of voice was cold and formal and they declined my request for me to visit them.
I made a formal request to the state division leader to have a meeting with my old pastors from all this poor treatment. I was told that the pastors were good friends of him (state division leader) and he could personally vouch for them. He wasn't at all interested in my case and what I had to say.
I complained once to this same pastor about a girl in the youth that was slandering my fiance and me behind my back (with witnesses also). The pastor didn't deny it, but put her hand on my shoulder and said "you can take it".
I found out that another woman in the church was slandering me regularly during the adult weekly Bible classes-of all places!
One time I went for a social men's evening in one of the men's homes. I was absolutely disgusted at the man hosting the event as he denigrated a couple of men that weren't there-right in front of everyone.
This same men once told all of during the men's Bible study that everyone should go at least 3 out of 4 weeks. And then he takes off for interstate business, away for months. I was particularly angry once during this same men's Bible study when this rude and arrogant man boasted in front of a bunch of men how God had blessed him that he could support his family without his wife having to work. Considering that most of the wives of the other men worked and considering that I at that time was supported by my wife. I now support her and she doesn't work.
Or what about another seniour pastor in another church that constantly pushed for money, money and money and even had a mini sermon every week on giving money before the main sermon-disgusting. He was "preaching" (for want of a better word) about the rewards of giving money (same old, same old) and then he came out with this little doozy:
"I don't give for the kingdom of God-I give to get back". Straight from a senior pastor.
I am not ashamed and in fact and proud that I have renounced fellowship. The church is not my family-it never was. I will never renounce God and his Son, Jesus. I however don't care for the church at all.
The church and pastors are a law unto themselves. They can do whatever they want, act in any way they want, collect anything they want. They appoint their own board members, set their own wages and conditions, chop and change their beliefs and doctrines as it suits them. I accept that, it's a part of the world we live in. But I'm not going back because some Christians tell me I have to-I don't have to do anything.
< Message edited by LedZeppelin -- 11/5/2009 5:05:54 AM >
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RE: Acceptable Reasons to NOT Go to Church. - 11/5/2009 8:48:40 AM
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roxiesgarden
Posts: 88
Joined: 1/30/2008
Status: offline
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I'm surprised at alot of the answers. IF we believe in the Bibles teaching, The church IS Gods body. I"m not perfect, I didn't go to church for a long time. I had millions of excuses. One of them was I just haven't found one yet. While, YOU have to go to find one. LOL The more I became of Faith and read faithfully my Bible and really took it seriously is when I prayed for God to help me find a church and guess what I found one that I LOVE. Now there are people that go to this church I feel are stand offish, snobbish, etc. But, I keep in mind that I'm going to church to Praise the Lord and Learn of his teachings. :) I'm not going to please anyone else. I feel it starts my week off to a very good start. We cannot ignore the teaching of the Bible. It is what it is. I'm sure if you look up here about going to church you can find many verses. :) I'm not saying I know everything, your wrong and I"m right. This is just what I beleive. :)
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roxie
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Acceptable Reasons to NOT Go to Church. - 11/5/2009 2:27:13 PM
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PinkCarnations
Posts: 10784
Status: offline
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As LZ and others have pointed out, there is a lot of spiritual problems/abuse going on in the church today. 
_____________________________
Thank you Veterans.
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RE: Acceptable Reasons to NOT Go to Church. - 11/6/2009 4:49:11 PM
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fallenstar
Posts: 60
Joined: 11/29/2007
Status: offline
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I know a few Christians who are paranoid about the end times and worry about getting involved in the wrong church, so they don't go to church at all. They watch Christian programs on the television and computer.
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RE: Acceptable Reasons to NOT Go to Church. - 11/8/2009 10:32:25 AM
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JesusSeeker2
Posts: 2
Joined: 4/12/2008
Status: offline
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I wish to reply to CTPruitt who quoted Matthew 18:20 of the Bible.
The Bible also says God will never leave us nor forsake us; therefore, when we are alone at home in worship or not, God is always there right beside us; therefore, there are two or more and God is in the midst of them.
If you are not going to church for the right reason anyway God is not interested in fake praise, He is looking straight into your heart. If your heart is pure, He is there and he is taking note. The Holy Spirit is within each of us so how can He not know our intentions, even well before we think.
My church has become a robotic ceremony Sunday after Sunday. How can God come into the midst of a church service when He is kept in a box. You have a certain time period for devotion, then at the beginning of service, you have scripture, responsive reading, prayer, singing, announcements, collection, 20 minutes of preaching, open door to church, alter call, benediction and out of church promptly between 1:00-1:15 PM. That's a robotic ceremony. There's never any mention about repentance or asking for forgiveness. Jesus died on the cross for all of our sins ONCE! Therefore, why do we think He should do it again?
I don't know it all and I need prayer to get through this and prayer for my church to let God out of the box but right now I choose not to attend that kind of service. I will worship God in my heart 24-7 and praise His name always. I don't recall my grandma going to church when I was small but she loved the Lord and lived like she did. She fed the poor, took care of the homeless and bent over backwards to give whatever was needed even if she didn't have enough for herself. I know she is in heaven. That's some of what God admires according to the last chapter in the book of Matthew. He will separate the sheep from the goats.
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RE: Acceptable Reasons to NOT Go to Church. - 11/8/2009 8:02:40 PM
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mosess8
Posts: 66
Joined: 11/6/2009
Status: offline
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Nowhere in the bible are we required to "go to church" period. We are admonished by Paul not to forsake assembling. There are a myriad of ways in which I as a believer can assemble with other believers. During Paul's time assembly consisted of much more even than our church service consists of today. They ate and drank and practically lived together, but that was a cultural thing and their way of doing it. We do none of that.
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RE: Acceptable Reasons to NOT Go to Church. - 11/8/2009 8:48:51 PM
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evry1needsgod
Posts: 1744
Joined: 2/4/2008
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: mosess8
Nowhere in the bible are we required to "go to church" period. We are admonished by Paul not to forsake assembling. There are a myriad of ways in which I as a believer can assemble with other believers. During Paul's time assembly consisted of much more even than our church service consists of today. They ate and drank and practically lived together, but that was a cultural thing and their way of doing it. We do none of that.
So what is the point of God-ordained preachers and missionaries sent to be a shepherds of flocks? If people don't need to go to church, then why do people need to be called into full-time ministry?
_____________________________
Believers are saved from their sin, not merely in their sinning!--drmark
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RE: Acceptable Reasons to NOT Go to Church. - 11/8/2009 11:10:04 PM
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Katie51
Posts: 227
Joined: 1/8/2009
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: evry1needsgod
quote:
ORIGINAL: mosess8
Nowhere in the bible are we required to "go to church" period. We are admonished by Paul not to forsake assembling. There are a myriad of ways in which I as a believer can assemble with other believers. During Paul's time assembly consisted of much more even than our church service consists of today. They ate and drank and practically lived together, but that was a cultural thing and their way of doing it. We do none of that.
So what is the point of God-ordained preachers and missionaries sent to be a shepherds of flocks? If people don't need to go to church, then why do people need to be called into full-time ministry?
this forum is becoming more and more absurd. did anyone say that NO ONE needs to go to church?
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RE: Acceptable Reasons to NOT Go to Church. - 11/8/2009 11:37:13 PM
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mosess8
Posts: 66
Joined: 11/6/2009
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Katie51
quote:
ORIGINAL: evry1needsgod
quote:
ORIGINAL: mosess8
Nowhere in the bible are we required to "go to church" period. We are admonished by Paul not to forsake assembling. There are a myriad of ways in which I as a believer can assemble with other believers. During Paul's time assembly consisted of much more even than our church service consists of today. They ate and drank and practically lived together, but that was a cultural thing and their way of doing it. We do none of that.
So what is the point of God-ordained preachers and missionaries sent to be a shepherds of flocks? If people don't need to go to church, then why do people need to be called into full-time ministry?
this forum is becoming more and more absurd. did anyone say that NO ONE needs to go to church?
Yes, i said it is not a God given mandate that we have to go to "church". I am certain that you cannot provide one scripture to the contrary however absurd you may think my post is.
However I did not say that we do not need to "assemble together". What that looks like, how often that is etc. is not laid out in scripture. Please provide scripture when you disagree with that statement.
To the question about why people are called into full time ministry. I am not aware of anyone being called into "fulltime" ministry. I know that some people go into full time ministry, butI also know that 90% of pastors in america are bi-vocational. Besides, I do not see the comnnection between full time ministry and the "go to church" mandate.
But for the sake of argument, let's say that someone is called into full time ministry. Cant that person conduct house visits and each of those gatherings be an assembly? If not, please tell me why not.
While the Word of God gives us clear instruction on the gifts of the church, the offices of the church and even the responsibilities of these gifts and offices. The Bible is fairly silent on the organizational structuring, liturgical schedules and governmental arrangements of the church. If any of you are Calvinists please refer to the Westminister Confession of faith to verify that this is the case.
Therefore, if as a pastor I decide that my flock and i will meet once a month on a Tuesday night, or maybe I will meet with a couple this week and a couple more next, that is my and my flocks decision to make. Tradition does not control how we do assembly.
I am not committed to the traditions of men, but i am a follower of the commands of God. Going to "church" is a tradition of men even though many have come to view it as a mandte from God.
Jesus faced a very similar crowd in His time. But He was not swayed. His disciples worked on the Sabbath, Did not perform the ritual wahing before meals etc. These rules were in place because of pharisaic and Saducee interpretation of the law. But Jesus did not recognize their practices because just like you, they could not square the rule with the word.
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RE: Acceptable Reasons to NOT Go to Church. - 11/9/2009 12:14:07 AM
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SamsonUSA
Posts: 2071
Joined: 10/5/2008
From: Laguna Beach. Presently an Arizona desert dweller
Status: offline
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Greetings LZ,
quote:
But I'm not going back because some Christians tell me I have to.
I found the underlined an interesting choice of words. May I ask you a couple of questions?
Are you a Christian?
If so do you feel that your only two options are to go back to this church or to stop attending church altogether?
_____________________________
If you can't be thankful for what you receive, be thankful for what you escape.
"You are never more free than when you fulfill the plan God has for your life." Warren Wiersbe
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RE: Acceptable Reasons to NOT Go to Church. - 11/9/2009 6:59:25 PM
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evry1needsgod
Posts: 1744
Joined: 2/4/2008
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Katie51
quote:
ORIGINAL: evry1needsgod
quote:
ORIGINAL: mosess8
Nowhere in the bible are we required to "go to church" period. We are admonished by Paul not to forsake assembling. There are a myriad of ways in which I as a believer can assemble with other believers. During Paul's time assembly consisted of much more even than our church service consists of today. They ate and drank and practically lived together, but that was a cultural thing and their way of doing it. We do none of that.
So what is the point of God-ordained preachers and missionaries sent to be a shepherds of flocks? If people don't need to go to church, then why do people need to be called into full-time ministry?
this forum is becoming more and more absurd. did anyone say that NO ONE needs to go to church?
mosess8 said, "Nowhere in the bible are we required to "go to church" period." which is the same as "no one needs to (is required to) go to church".
_____________________________
Believers are saved from their sin, not merely in their sinning!--drmark
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RE: Acceptable Reasons to NOT Go to Church. - 11/9/2009 10:44:46 PM
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mosess8
Posts: 66
Joined: 11/6/2009
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: evry1needsgod
quote:
ORIGINAL: Katie51
quote:
ORIGINAL: evry1needsgod
quote:
ORIGINAL: mosess8
Nowhere in the bible are we required to "go to church" period. We are admonished by Paul not to forsake assembling. There are a myriad of ways in which I as a believer can assemble with other believers. During Paul's time assembly consisted of much more even than our church service consists of today. They ate and drank and practically lived together, but that was a cultural thing and their way of doing it. We do none of that.
So what is the point of God-ordained preachers and missionaries sent to be a shepherds of flocks? If people don't need to go to church, then why do people need to be called into full-time ministry?
this forum is becoming more and more absurd. did anyone say that NO ONE needs to go to church?
mosess8 said, "Nowhere in the bible are we required to "go to church" period." which is the same as "no one needs to (is required to) go to church".
Yes?
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