Are you a church goer?

My parents were what I’ve heard one minister term “C & E’s,” attending church only on or immediately before Xmas and Easter. I was active in churches during my youth as an elder (youngest one ever, but no one else was willing to serve), asst. Sunday school superintendent, church administrative board, and praise team musician. I played up to three services every Sunday for several years. Got totally burned out and tired of being dumped on while others did nothing, plus got soul-weary of internal church politics and the “judge and condemn” mentality. Now I keep my distance from churches, but may return someday…

IMG_1334.jpeg
 
I met my husband at a small Methodist church. That was a long time ago.
Since we moved to a new area for retirement I have not found a church that I would want to attend.

In the area there’s a mega church with a money preaching preacher. A Hispanic church but I don’t know Spanish.
A new church with a strange couple leading it. One very large Methodist church with lots and lots of activities for children.
It kind of reminds me of Grand Central Station.

Several churches are more like nightclubs with the band on the stage and a light show with smoke machines
which I don’t even understand that concept.

I wish there was just a simple quiet house of prayer church where you can pray and listen and receive.
 
Yes, but . . .

It isn't about "the church" and it certainly isn't about "me". It's all about Him. I am a Christian believer first and everything else flows from that. I value the companionship of fellow believers. Opportunities to interact, learn, pray, and worship together.

"Church" isn't a place. It isn't a once-a-week event. It's a way of life for those who believe.
 
I read that church attendance was way down. I know in my home town, they had to close churches due to lack of priests and nobody at Mass. So, I wondered how many still go to "church". Turns out, just from this thread, at least 2 out of 3 "Christians" no longer attend services.
 
There is not Bible scripture requiring Christians to attend church. However the following is among scripture that ceremony developed from.

Luk 22:17 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, which is being given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup, which is poured out for you, is the new covenant in My blood.

Mar 14:22 While they were eating, He took some bread, and after a blessing He broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is My body.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many.

Mat 26:26 Now while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.

Act 2:41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
 
No. As I've said before, I quit going because the whole thing became too repititious. I wanted to go to church to worship God but everywhere it is about the pastor or priest, as if they are God's stand-in on Earth, and if I needed a social club, I'd go somewhere more interesting. Plus the music is too loud. Typical old lady stuff. I visit church occasionally for my sons, but it just confirms I'm not missing anything.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
Do you go to church/place of worship?
Click to expand...
Not any more. I used to enjoy and value it until I got disillusioned with the small minded and 'holier than thou' stuff between people and being made to involve myself in tasks I didn't want to do.
Now I worship at home in peace. God is not after all contained inside any four walls nor does anyone have a hotline to him. I believe we can pray anywhere, anytime and He hears our cries.
 
Nipper said:
No. My church finally closed its doors 5 years ago. Weekly attendance dwindled to 5 or 6 people. I really miss it.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately it is often their own fault. Churchy folks can put off newcomer's by being very smug and superior or too intense. They do not welcome change, growth, young people or anyone 'different'. They see them as a threat.
So the congregation eventually all die off through old age.
 
bobcat48 said:
I used to, but now nature is my church. I find it very spiritual, and if you allow yourself enough time to sit quietly, you begin to feel yourself sync up with the energy there. It is soul satisfying, but hard to describe. I don't care for labels that are often used in Pan-theology, because they pressure a person to adopt things they cannot know, and I don't even care for the word "God" because it is just a conceptual term that is relative to each person and their belief. For me, I just experience what I would call spiritual energy. I like to think of it like the electricity in your house. It's always there. You can choose to plug in or not. If you do, perhaps your light will go on.
Click to expand...
I can certainly understand you, nature is God's creation as is everything.
I find great solace in reading my Bible and praying about my troubles to God and to Jesus Christ. I believe privately.
 
Gaer said:
I was kicked out of church by the minister at age eight. Never went back.
Glad about that.
Click to expand...
Sorry that happened. Did you feel you at all deserved it? Children are after all naughty and need correcting - but not that harshly.
It is a huge pity that this action turned you away forever. He ought to have talked to you about things, not kicked you out.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top