Can you be a christian, but not go to church?

Oldcountryboy · #1 02/27/08, 07:34 PM

After reading some of the replys on a christian subject on GC I have somewhat of my own delima. I've been attending the same church for almost 18 years. Met my wife there and all her family attends there. But seems like the longer I stay there the more disbelief I have in a lot of the people that do attend there.

I still believe in the holy trinity and I like my pastor. But some of the people that stands out well don't really seem to be all that they pretend to be. Makes me wonder if that is why some people hop and skip around at other churches a lot. They only attend for about 2 or 3 years and then they're off to a new church. Did they get to know the members too well?

Well I've been wondering that instead of attending a church that maybe I should just have my own little worship day in private on Sundays. Instead of tithing to the church, give to some person who lives in the neighborhood who is having a hard time. Instead of volunteering for some church task, volunteer at a local hospital, resthome, etc,.

Do I have to attend a certain church and tithe to that church to be saved?

hillsidedigger · #2 02/27/08, 07:37 PM

Even though I attend church fairly regularly, I wonder if a Christian should?

tyusclan · #3 02/27/08, 07:43 PM

A building or denomination is not the church. You don't have to go to a certain building at a certain time on a certain day, but the Bible does tell us to gather with other believers. We need each other. It's very difficult, if not impossible to be a "lone ranger" Christian.

I know I'm gonna get some disagreement with this, but the New Testament does not teach tithing. It does teach giving. We should give as much and as often as the Lord lays on heart to give.

big rockpile · #4 02/27/08, 07:44 PM

There is only one way and it is not atending Church and Tithing.

But Church can help keep your Faith strong.

big rockpile

larita · #5 02/27/08, 07:52 PM

I am ......and I don't

JGex · #6 02/27/08, 07:55 PM

Goin' to church don't make ya a Christian no more than standing in a garage makes ya a car.

unregistered29228 · #7 02/27/08, 08:14 PM

I'd suggest you try a few other churches and maybe you'll find one that speaks to your heart. No, you don't have to go to church to be a Christian, but it sure is nice to spend a little time worshiping with others.

morrowsmowers · #8 02/27/08, 08:18 PM

Many churches are no more than religious social clubs. I grew up in one. The purpose of the church is to preach and teach the Word to equip the saints to minister to the lost on a daily basis. If you are not being properly fed and equipped by your church it's time to more on. My DW and I did just that a number of years ago and have never looked back. If you are not growing spiritually and learning about the Word, what is really going on at that church?

Ken in Glassboro, NJ

AngieM2 · #9 02/27/08, 08:20 PM

I left the last church I went to a couple of years ago, and I'm still a Christian. A church is the people, not a 'church house'.

Angie

Shepherd · #10 02/27/08, 08:23 PM

No matter where you go you will find problems, some more than others: hypocrits, some who feel they are 'holier than thou', trouble makers, cliques, etc., it just depends on the size of the church.

But it was made clear to me one day in church by the Holy Spirit that our spiritual 'eyes' are to be on God, not man, not the pastor, no the Elders... but God the Father, Son & Holy Ghost. Our focus is to be on God... period. If you feel you're being spiritually fed and you're being taught the Word of God, then you're attending a good church. If not, you need to find a new church.

It's important to worship together with others in a church environment. We encourage one another and as the scriptures say, Where 2 or more are gathered together in My name, there am I in their midst. Yes it's possible to be a Christian and not attend a church, but it's far more difficult. It's too easy to get distracted and get out of the habit of studying, praying, etc. on a regular basis. We need to be in the company of other Christians. And it helps to have a good minister to teach us the Word.

Once it was made clear to me to 'focus on God' (only), all those other things that were bothering me diminished. I hope that helps.

Stormy_NY · #11 02/27/08, 08:29 PM

God Himself went to church ..... Jesus and his Earthly parents followed the Jewish Faith / Tradition perfectly. To show us that ...this is the way.

Our Father in Heaven loves us .....He knows infinitely more then anyone else how weak we are. He did not send His Son to Suffer and go through what he did to just let us flounder around looking for the way to worship Him. Before Jesus went to Jerusalem, He gave twelve men Special Graces and Authority and one He gave the Keys to the Kingdom.

Your soul is searching for the Truth brother...... Maybe this will help.

http://www.chnetwork.org/scotthconv.htm

Oldcountryboy · #12 02/27/08, 08:34 PM

Well sometimes I wonder if I'm being too judgemental myself. With what other people are doing, should I just leave that up to God to deal with? Should I bring it up with other members of the church and see if they feel the same way about certain people? Or should I just keep my mouth shut and pretend I don't see what's going on and just let it be? Sometimes I feel like I'm the only person that really knows what's going on after church service. Or is my mind just playing with me?

LittleRedHen · #13 02/27/08, 08:39 PM

My husband and I left the "building" over a year ago. We are still Christians and our faith in God never waivered. You dont need a church building to love and serve God. And I agree with others on tithing as in its about helping people- and if you study up on it, you will learn its not how you are taught in church. I think God is working on your heart to show you more truth than u realize

MTplainsman · #14 02/27/08, 08:39 PM

Well, as already stated... Your not gonna head South cause you wern't faithful to a church. Church is any place where other Christians gather to learn God's word, worship, and have fellowship with one another. A church can be in your own house, a shop, or even a barn, if it serves the same purposes.

No where in the book (that I know of) does it say you will be banished from the kingdom of Heaven for avoiding church. It does state however, that church is a stronghold for the christian community. Avoiding church or other christian gatherings, can have ill effects to a christian. Being a christian alone in the world void of fellowship, increases your chances of backsliding and self-destruction to a serious degree.

Every church has it's problems, wether it's in it's members or the pastor him/herself. There are the faithful, the "Sunday" christians, and the ones that just show up. Get what you can and get what you need from your day at church, and leave the romantic thoughts of a "perfect" one alone. There are always ups and downs when people are involved, church congregations are made up of people. Accept that fact and ride out the flaws, cause your not there to please you, your there to please "Him"

morrowsmowers · #15 02/27/08, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldcountryboy

Well sometimes I wonder if I'm being too judgemental myself. With what other people are doing, should I just leave that up to God to deal with? Should I bring it up with other members of the church and see if they feel the same way about certain people? Or should I just keep my mouth shut and pretend I don't see what's going on and just let it be? Sometimes I feel like I'm the only person that really knows what's going on after church service. Or is my mind just playing with me?

If the person is claiming to be a believer and then going out and living immorally or doing something else that blatantly contradicts the scriptures then you need to bring it to the attention of the church. However, we all fail at trying to live the Christian life and so you do not need to give a running report of each believers failings. If the people you are fellowshipping with are doing things that you find Biblically offensive and it is affecting your fellowship, that could be one indication that it is time to leave that church.

Ken in Glassboro, NJ

Stormy_NY · #16 02/27/08, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldcountryboy

Well sometimes I wonder if I'm being too judgemental myself. With what other people are doing, should I just leave that up to God to deal with? Should I bring it up with other members of the church and see if they feel the same way about certain people? Or should I just keep my mouth shut and pretend I don't see what's going on and just let it be? Sometimes I feel like I'm the only person that really knows what's going on after church service. Or is my mind just playing with me?

What do you define the purpose of "Church" . For me it is to Worship God. All the other stuff is fine and good .......

As a Catholic I can go to Mass ("Church") daily. I totally understand the distraction thing though. Sundays with the family and the 4 year old get frustrating. But at a weekday Mass I can totally concentrate and immerse myself in it.

Wayne02 · #17 02/27/08, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldcountryboy

Do I have to attend a certain church and tithe to that church to be saved?

No of course not, that is just silly, and I suspect you know this to be true in your heart.

Christianity is not about the physical building, it's about you and your relationship with God.

One thing you may want to look into is if there are any churches who offer real-time televised broadcasts of their sermons. A number of them around here do that, and it provides an opportunity to rejoice in the Lord and hear the the message without as much diversion from the in-fighting and other distractions that sometimes go along with attending church. It truly allows you and your family to focus on the message.

Finally, maybe it doesnt need to be an all or nothing deal? Nothing saying you have to attend Church every single Sunday, and nothing saying you never have to attend again. Maybe go once per month to keep contact with the overall group, and home-worship with your family the other three weekends?

Scrounger · #18 02/27/08, 09:08 PM

There is a huge difference between Christianity and Churchianity. Most churches teach the latter.

Stormy_NY · #19 02/27/08, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne02

No of course not, that is just silly, and I suspect you know this to be true in your heart.

Christianity is not about the physical building, it's about you and your relationship with God.
weekends?

You speak with such authority .......Can you please tell us where your theology on "Not" attending Church comes from?

simplefarmgirl · #20 02/27/08, 09:13 PM

I believe I am a christian and dont attend a church on a regular bases. I dont feel like going to a church and sitting there and watching your watch is a good church to go to.. I want to feel alive when i go in and ALIVE when I come out, I want to feel the spirit move and not the guy snoring next to me. I pray every day,,, I have several ladies I have devotionalls with.. And tried to live according to HIS will.. The building isnt what makes a christian,, Its your beliefs,heart,the person inside. Of course this is just my opinion