“Nobody “needs” to go to church to be a Christian.”
I have many tell me the opposite. I don’t feel that I am any different if I don’t attend on Sunday’s. The Bible is my guide.
Most of the churches are now “feel good” or “keep them entertained” and I don’t want any part of that.
Well, I did put “need” in quotes. I think church is very valuable, mostly for the fellowship. I can pray at home, read at home, study at home and even take communion at home.
However, Church gets me into the christian community in a lot of useful ways. I often say, “I go to church to bless others and be blessed by others.” It’s a communal thing.
You personally may not feel the need to go to church, but that may only be one side of the story. There may be that one lost or searching individual who will be blessed and assured by your presence at just the precise moment you are at church. Fellowship at church is a necessity to guard against the ravages and attacks by the ungodly world.
ptsal
What about Hebrews 10:25: “Do not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”?
Fellowship breeds strength, accountability and service. We are weaker when we aren’t actively a part of the Body. Does it make you “not a Christian”? Of course not, but it strips you of support, armor and fellowship.
One idea behind going to church, as I understand it, is so that the congregants can effectively band together to fight the Evil One, rather than try to fight it each on his/her own.
JMO.
If the Bible is your guide, I’d respectfully remind you of the commandment: Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy. I’ve always taken this to mean that I should attend church. YMMV, of course. I am writing this NOT to try to tell you what to do, but to encourage you to consider and decide for yourself, to do something good for yourself. (I think far too many Christians use the Bible as a “weapon” to try to control others rather than as an instruction manual for themselves.)
Church is not for us to serve God so much as for God to care for us. And for us to strengthen the bonds with our fellow Christians. And an opportunity for us to minister to our fellow Christians. And not-yet-Christians. Church, when done right, is a weekly renewal of our spirit.
Have you ever had a close relationship, maybe even a girlfriend/boyfriend, where you were separated for a long period? Did it strain the relationship or maybe even end it? If it didn’t, you are a rare case and should thank your lucky stars. Or more appropriately: God.
For most of us, it’s the people we see on a regular basis that have the greatest impact on our lives, and who we would miss the most if we lost them. If God is only a distant acquaintance, then He is probably not having the influence in our lives that He ought to be having.
Yes, there are some horrible churches out there, some that I’d question whether God has ever been invited into. I’ve had plenty of differences with the pastors and members of churches I’ve attended. But all churches are imperfect, made up of imperfect human members. We do the best we can. Any time I don’t want to attend church, I can EASILY find an excuse. But as I’ve grown older, I avoid finding those excuses. One of my favorite messages from a former pastor is: “Church is not a museum for saints. It’s a hospital for sinners.”
“Nobody “needs” to go to church to be a Christian.”
Churches gathered together on the first day of the week to celebrate the Lord’s Supper.
The “church” is a community organization.