January 28, 2007
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Church Part 2
So many people say “I can serve God from home.”
Do you have to attend church regularly in order to be a “real” follower of God?
So many people say “I can serve God from home.”
Do you have to attend church regularly in order to be a “real” follower of God?
Comments (160)
First!!!!
ehh you dont have to go to church to follow god. long as your good at heart i don’t thaink i makes much of a diffence.
-Nicole-
It is Exceedingly important to be in a community of believers. We interpret the Word through the community in which we enjoy fellowship.
How appropriate as I just told two Jehovah Witnesses to go forth and multiply OFF my doorstep *giggles*
no, i don’t think so.
I go when I can…but it doesn’t make me any more a believer to go to church every Sunday. Yeah, it’s good, and I enjoy it, but if I have something else I have to do, I can just as well serve God here in my house then have to go to church. God never said “go to church every Sunday, or your not going to heaven” He just wants us to spend time with Him and other believers.
If you are a Catholic, yes.
oic
Wow, I WAS first! SWEET!! I’ve been wanting that for a long, long time!
I would have to say “No”, but it’s conditional.
What is the reason the person isn’t attending church? Is it health-related? Is it due an unability to attend a church? Is it because the person is too lazy to gey their butt out of bed? What does this person do INSTEAD of attending church? The reasons and motivations behind not attending church are the factors to answer your question.
And in the end, God will make the decision as to what is in that person’s (and everyone else’s) heart.
I go because I enjoy it
and I know I can’t serve God from home, I pick up a friend every weekend and take her to church. It’s helping her, something I’ve never been able to do successfully on my own.
WE should not forsake the assembling of ourselves… It does the Christian well to come together with the rest of the Body of Christ in fellowship to worship the creator together…. Its amazing to see and hear what God is doing in other believer’s lives and I think that gives us hope and builds are faith too.
But I do know there was a time when I couldnt find a church that wasnt teaching lies (actually all do to some degree) but I’m talking flagrant ones (preaching a false Jesus) that I didnt go to church for months and stayed home reading my Bible and praying…. and I honestly have to say that was a time of the most spiritual growth I have experienced to date.
personally, i don’t think so. your religion is between you and your God. it should be an individual process, and i don’t see the need to join a community for it.
I don’t think you HAVE to , but I do think that finding a church where you can grow is very important.
But going to church doesn’t make you a follower of Christ.
I agree with ILoveMyCarrots.
no, you attend Church to take part in fellwship with others and to be led in worship.
Hmm… I don’t think so. But that’s a tricky question, because people can use it incorrectly.
‘church’ is kind of like a support group. you don’t need a chapel or stained glass but you do need a group of people to help you grow and for you do help do the same for them…in faith
You don’t HAVE TO in order to follow God, but you’ll want to. That’s where He is worshiped in a corporate way and you are taught (and hopefully) trained to go out into the world to make a difference.
More appropriately, are you a follower of God simply by attending church?
Here’s a qutoe from this packet I got at the end of my confirmation. It’s not word for word, I’m paraphrasing because I’m not tearing my room apart to find it:
“Can you believe in Jesus alone? Sure, you can believe anything you want on your own, you can even believe your Miachel Jordan or Shaq, but that won’t make it so. To follow Jesus, on the other hand, you can’t go it alone.” And they talk about community, church family, blah, blah, blah.
So yeah…
The people who claim they worship God better in nature typically say it to skip church. They don’t go out into nature on Sunday mornings, they sleep in or read the Sunday paper.
Oh, the lies we tell in order to believe them ourselves!
No, I attend corporate worship on the Lord’s Day to be a lovingly obedient follower of Christ.
Most literally no- in the same way that you don’t “need” to be baptized or take communion to become a follower of God. However, for someone who truly lives in Christ, these things are a duty born of love. Furthermore Christ established His Church Himself: and He cannot be understood apart from it. Someone (I don’t remember who) once said that you cannot have God as your Father unless you have the Church as your Mother.
It’s like you don’t have to join the military to support the war.
Absolutely not! Serving God (a term I hate because it becomes a show), worshipping God, in spirit and in truth means being a vessel of God that he carries in his hand, dispensing his love and grace through us whether we know it or not. It’s at his discretion, not ours. People should know we belong to God by who we are, not by the show we put on.
yes i would say so
Church is enjoyable for me…so I go when I can- Usually on a Friday night because I work on Sundays…BUT…Isnt it true that our actions speak louder than words? People will see what kind of person U are, and who or WHAT U worship by how U act…and how U treat them and others.
It can help. But no.
Of course not.
The “church” is the believers. If anyone still thinks it is the building you attend, then you are wrong. Some people like to attend a formal church service. I prefer church the way Jesus showed us and that is to go into each other’s homes. He also spoke on the seashore, the mountain, the garden, from a boat, etc…
no. it’s a good thing to do, but you can serve god through prayer and worship in private. some people just aren’t made for church.
There are a lot of people who go to church claiming that they are ‘real’ followers of God… but I believe that there is a lot of people who attend church every day that will burn later. I don’t think you have to go to church… as a matter of fact, I think church taints people. I will serve my God from home thank you… Jesus knows my heart. And the leaders of the church are not doing their job.
you don’t have to go to church…but when your heart belongs to Christ…really and truly you will want to go…speaking for myself…even in the hardest times of my life I did not forsake the assembling together…i needed those Christians to lift me up and keep me in prayer. God is good all the time…where ever i am
It’s not about “attending church.” You can’t be a Christian without being part of the church. In the early days of Christianity that concept was unheard of. We are the church. And since we are the church, why would we not want to “attend church”? Our brothers and sisters in restricted nations like Pakistan and Iran are dying for attending church (if you don’t believe me, read Voice of the Martyrs).
So to answer your question, I think for a certain season of life you can follow Christ without attending church, but unless you have a valid reason, letting yourself go on and on without going will end up stunting your growth and making your walk far less effective.
I like GrundlingGoomba’s answer.
Doesn’t He just want my faith?………although, I would benefit in going to church to be reminded of His Word….
I go to church not to be a good follower but to connect! I go to connect with God and connect with people. Serving God isn’t just for the physical building of the church. Serving is what one does daily!
You only need delusions of grandeur to “follow God.”
no. It’s a good thing to be doing because it helps your spiritual life, usually, but it’s not an absolutely required thing.
no…
Church is good for the sense of community it gives you, but you really don’t NEED other people to tell you how to interpret your holy texts… to me, faith is a very personal experience, it really isn’t anyone else’s place to tell you how you should feel and what you should believe, no matter how similar your beliefs are. It’s for you to decide.
Although some people don’t like to think this much, and others really do prefer the communal decision, so I guess it works for a lot of people.. I myself don’t see the necessity.
Hebrews 10:25 – “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the MANNER OF SOME IS.”
Attending church is part of being a follower of God. Not doing that is just being rebellious towards what God wants us to do.
i am a follower of God.
i do not attend church regularly.
i should because it could help me grow in my faith, it is just something that i have a hard time doing. my family is unsaved.
I don’t think you have to, but I know I feel better when I do, which isn’t as often as I’d like.
I don’t think you *have* to go to church to be a follower of God. If you still worship/pray & learn on your own, I don’t believe that is any less following. I do think that attending church would give someone a different perspective on teachings, etc. and it gives you a community to be with.
When it comes down to it, however you best connect with God would be the way to do it, I think.
No, but you go to learn more about your religion, and for fellowship.
I don’t … I don’t find God in church at all…
Nope….but then again I’m a non believer lol.
why do you have to go to church to be a follower of God?
its not that it makes you a christian, but as a christian you are called to fellowship with other believers
No. But I do like going to church and I think that there is a lot of benefit to it. You learn about your faith, practise it with others, and worship.
cheers,
m
Well, you do need to go to church for things like Communion and Confession so for things like that, yes, it is necessary to go. (Orthodox Christian).
cheers,
m
here’s what i think.
if you don’t like the people at your church, and don’t go. aren’t they going to be the ones you see in heaven?
You only need delusions of grandeur to “follow God.”
Posted 1/28/2007 9:19 AM by dingus6
Really? To me following some-one/thing would mean the opposite of ‘delusions of grandeur’… maybe you have a different reason to think this?
Anyway, the question wasn’t ‘Do you think persons who believe in God are stupid?’ the question was “Do you have to attend church regularly in order to be a “real” follower of God?”. No need for insults.
cheers,
m
I don’t believe in God, but if I did I would probably think you could worship from any place.
nope
I still think it is important now, but I don’t think that it has the same value as it did historically. It once was a public declaration of your Christianity, which could deflate your career and status–attending church was a step of faith. If you read Augustine’s “Confessions” in the 7th or 8th book, there is a very prominent member of the senate who became a Christian, but Ambrose, the leader of the church, wouldn’t allow him to declare it until he came to church–which would have been crippling to his career. I don’t remember how that ended up, but I think that guy ended up going to church.
I would think not.
If you lived morally, and thought Jesus was a truly wise and charismatic leader, like Mohammed, Abraham and His Holiness the Dali Lama, as well as Srila Prabuphad who brought ISKON to the US, if you followed ALL of them and hurt none…
Would you burn in hell for not renouncing all for Christ and going through the motions?
No. To be completely honest, most of the people who go to church every sunday get nothing more out of it than just the words from the sermon, not the meaning behind them. You have to be able to form your own opinions about what you are going to believe, and what you aren’t, and a lot of times, that’s done at home. This could be put into the question, “Do you have to join the military to support the war?” and the answer, clearly, would be no. You don’t necissarily have to experience something to believe in something.
Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian.
I think you can serve from home, but it’s great to go to church to be with a community of believers, and to learn more.
No, it isn’t necessary. However, a true follower of God will want to attend church and worship with other followers.
(If you go to a good church)
absolutely not.
Going to Church is certainly beneficial to a Christian’s spiritual life. I’ve had periods of my life where I didn’t go to church for a long time and I certainly suffered for it. But what makes someone a Christian is belief and trust in Christ Jesus, not actions. It is faith alone that saves, though that faith usually tends to be demonstrated by actions that one would fine predictable.
So no, you don’t have to go to church to serve G-d but it certainly is beneficial to one’s spiritual life.
ehh you dont have to go to church to follow god. long as your good at heart i don’t thaink i makes much of a diffence.
-Nicole-
Posted 1/28/2007 8:01 AM by The_Savior_of_Dreams
I wish my mom knew that
Well, you should go to church because you take communion, the body and blood of Jesus…it keeps your immortal life inside you alive.
no, but you better have a church around you — ie, a network of real friends who support you and encourage you in your walk with the Lord — if you want to be successful
I should also add that since God doesn’t have anything to do with so many churches out there I think not going may be more conducive to finding God in the first place.
Another thought… What is the general impression of the other faiths to a Christian? I mean is it blasphemy to say that the power greater than ourselves, God as it is known has touched many over the course of human history, and all had great things to say, and all could have their words twisted by non-holy people to do bad. What if it was the same God, different people and times? Splitting hairs or an extreme in any direction has never been entirely healthy for the self, I speak from experience. It seems to me like the major thing a Christian would change, being a Christian, is following the 10 commandments, which are the social contracts formulated at the time, a kind of law, like Hammurabi’s first codex of law. Just more rules for living based on the time they were created.
Shouldn’t they evolve as human culture does? I what is more important to an individual, having no other lord but the one, or not killing another person. If you kill but have no other lord, or have many lords but never kill, what is the fast ticket to salvation, which may be… enlightenment.
guess that depends on what “god” you serve. if you ascribe to a religion, then you’re not serving that “god” unless you do what that “god” commands. and if that “god” commands that you go to “church” then i guess you’re not really serving that “god” fully if you don’t do it.
hahahhahahhahahhaahhahaahhahaha. okay, i sound so atheistic there, and i am so not. that’s why i laugh. hahahhahahahahahhahahhahahaha.
No. In fact, I think church attendance at some types of churches (megga churches, etac.) can make it more difficult, because people tend to follow their leaders instead of listening to and following God in their own hearts.
Absolutely not, Jesus never said anything about attending an organized service anywhere. I believe the term is called: Non-Denominational.
Michael
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:25
I don’t think going to church makes you a “real” follower, nor do I think not going to church shows that you are not a “real” follower. But, people who really follow Jesus really desire to follow God’s word which says… “Let us not give up meeting together.” I also think it’s important to note that the author of Hebrews doesn’t specify a timeframe (weekly, monthly, etc). He/she just gives the purpose, not the guidelines. If you are getting and giving encouragement from and to the other members of the church body, you’re prolly doing alright. I do that by going to church and a small group. (See Acts 2:42-47 for what the early church looked like.)
Of course not. There are a lot of disturbing things happening in churches these days, so it’s easy to see why some people would choose not to go even if they are Christian. Who gets to decide what a “real” follower of God is, anyway?
Hells no. Oh wait…..
you don’t HAVE to, but it would be better for your spiritual well-being if you did. and if you were a true believer, you would want to go.
No, I don’t think so.
I don’t think so.
no
I don’t think a lot of people understand exactly how tied to community NT Christianity is. I don’t fully get it, but I can see that it was tremendously important. People who talk like it’s irrelevant are speaking their own opinions and not getting it from the Bible.
I doubt God is keeping attendance and you have to meet a certain % to “get in,” but people who want to know exactly how much they can miss without incurring a penalty are missing the point.
How about you show me a real god, then I’ll say “damn dude, are you really so depressed that you need us to praise you fucking constantly? Thanks for making the universe I guess. Shit, you need a goddamned cookie everytime you’re blue? Get a life.”
i am a non-practicing episcopalian; i go to church just a few times a year. but God is still the most important thing in my life, as is my faith, and i serve him every day of my life.
Going to church doesn’t mean you are a believer. sunday church service can be the extent of your faith. the true test of your faith is what you do outside of church, the differences you make in the world the other six (or five) days of the week.
so no, you dont have to go to church to worship the Lord.
Corporate worship is absolutely crucial to growing in relationship to Christ.
No you do not.
no u don’t have to go to church to be a christian
Honestly, I don’t think so. It’s funny that you asked this question today because for the first time in a long while my whole family and I were way too tired to go today because we just got back from driving me to and from All-State for orchestra.
No.
This is a touchy subject for me. I rely on my husband to take me to church.. and he hardley wants to go. BUT.. I do have my personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I read his word, and I also worship him. ( just like in the church) But when I worship him alone..I can with my whole heart. ANd I don’t have to worry about who sees me with snot coming down my nose!
But I do miss the fellowship and support of other believers. To hear the word preached. And worshiping with unity.
Church is very important.. but the focus of the christian is to have a personal growing walk with Jesus. And to love others and let them know of him.
Christina
works doesn’t have anything to do with being saved by God. works come from faith- not faith from works.
We are called to worship and honor God. The second commandment states “Keep Holy the Sabath”. The question is how do we do this. It has been interpretted many ways, but probably the closest to the intent was the ancient Israelites of Moses’ day. They went to the temple on Sat to worship. I think that the communal worship you give and the support you get from a church clearly makes it worthwhile. This is also in line with the early church that was formed after Christ’s death.
I do not think it is a rigid requirement, but in the US there are few reasons not to be at church.
Jesus said in the bible somewhere,
that anywhere the teachings of the faith are present,
God is present..
Or something.
Other people say that God is everywhere, so we don’t need a church!
I consider myself a Christian, but I have never found a church or religon that I have respected. Churches and religions are just ruining belief systems, in my opinion. Showing face and conforming your beliefs is not what God intended. What is important is that you believe in something. There is no one right religion, nor is there one right belief.
Until I find a church that lets me keep my belief and fondness of other belief structures, I will stay at home and practice my own form of Christianity.
Serving God at home is importnat, but the Bible commands us to go to Church.
Definitely not… church can be a good thing and some people enjoy worshipping with others of their own faith, but it doesn’t determine your personal faith.
I don’t think so, but I think you’re missing out if you don’t. It adds a whole other dimension to your faith life to live it in community with other Christians in a church.
I consider myself a Christian….There is no one right religion, nor is there one right belief. -innerblondness
that’s not possible. christians believe there is only ONE way to God. how can you possibly believe that there is no right religion and still be a christian…you can’t.
Yes. You can’t be a Christian on your own. If you don’t belong to a church (say, because all the ones near you are rubbish) you need a group of Christian friends with whom you can meet in God.
I don’t know. I guess it’d help.
I’ll say yes because its the traditional answer. All you people and you “But” and your excuses to get out of it. Hippy dippy liberal bs. All this individuality crap. Just go, its one hour. U spend more time wasting time trying to not do hw.
The regular gathering of believers is the normative view found in early Christianity and Christian scripture (Hebrews 10:25, Acts 2:42-47). Technically, Christians are not to go TO church; instead they are to BE the church wherever they gather.
Also how do u pay your tithe if u dont go?
No.
You don’t need to go to Church regularly, since WE ARE THE CHURCH.
Church is merely “fellowship”
really now! how many people even serve God from Church?
NO!!
Define church. The public church of today is incredibly watered down. I’m sick of going to church and hearing stuff I’ve known since I was 5. I go to church every week. If it was up to me, I’d go to a home church where I could have real fellowship with other conservative Christians.
The purpose of church is for fellowship of believers and accountability. The church has lost that and is focused on getting more members and playing their rock music that makes you feel good.
Furthermore, most people who go to church aren’t even Christians. In fact, according to a Barna survey, only about half of pastors are even Christians! *gags*
Also how do u pay your tithe if u dont go?
Posted 1/28/2007 12:49 PM by Statist_Gentry
Funny, I give zero percent of my tithe to my church, but I still tithe the right amount. The Bible doesn’t say to tithe to the church, it just says to give it back to God, which can be things like giving it missionaries or to people that need the money more than you.
Authentic Christianity can ONLY be experience within a community… the idea of “just me and Jesus” is a result of American individualism and is not biblical.
There is holiness apart from social holiness, according to John Wesley. However, I don’t think that is specifically means to be in church everytim the doors open, but it means something.
Depends on what your religion and its “rules” say. If you’re a spiritual person and have your own version of God, then you can serve Him (or Her) anywhere about as well. But if you belong to a formal, organized religion and church then it’s kind of part of the rules to go to church and worship there, primarily.
Can Christianity exist beyond the community of support that is church? Perhaps the form of church is shifting– not Sunday mornings, not in a building marked with a cross, not in a building at all… but so much of Christianity is based on prayer for, with and by a community of believers.
If you choose to worship from home, do you actually worship or just read from your Bible? Or do you go through an order of worship with confession and adoration? Do you do it with the knowledge that there are others worshiping at the same time?
…just wondering.
I don’t think so.
There’s only been a few churches that I actually enjoy going to. I’m very picky when it comes to joining a church, but I honestly think you could kind of make your home a little church and serve God there with just your family. Worship wasn’t meant to be a public affair and there are actually parts of the Bible that God shoots it down.
1st Commandment: Keep the Sabbath day holy.
It doesn’t mean go to church. It means don’t work and keep God with you all day. Or at least that’s what I take it as. But if you believe that the only way to keep the Sabbath day holy is by going to Church, then go to Church!
No.
The church is there for the follower to go to and to grow.
We focus about that A LOT in youth.
I know that there is something about it in the Bible but I don’t know exactly where.
no, just do god’s work
True believers (“followers of God”) will DESIRE to be with other believers . Circumstances may prevent one from attending regularly scheduled worship services from time to time. However, saying “I don’t want to” or ” I don’t have to” reveals a heart that may not be genuinely converted. One commentor wrote: “Until I find a church that lets me keep my belief and fondness of other belief structures, I will stay at home and practice my own form of Christianity.” Maybe some people don’t look hard enough for a church. Our opinion of what “church” is doesn’t count; only God’s opinion / His Word matters.
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” –Hebrews 10:25
Jesus said that the Sabbath day is for us, not the other way around. And since when was going to church a law that God made? It says in the Bible to remember the Sabbath day.
It’s sad what Christians will believe without ever knowing/reading the Bible.
But as a Christian I do believe we should feel the need to bond with others who are going through the same struggles.
That is why I go to church, so I don’t forget what i’ve been longing for. That, and to take communion. Because although I could technically take communion alone, there is something miraculous and amazing about taking communion all together.but… ya going back to my statement.. it’s amazing what people believe just out of verbal repetition. Take Milton and Dante, for example. They created the Christian idea of hell, heaven, demons, etc. and not many people today know that what they believe is not actually based off of the Bible but rather, literature with the HOPE of concurring with the Bible.
If you want to get technical, ‘church’ in the old days was a few followers meeting at a house and discussing scripture all together.
Would it be harsh to say that we have made church something less personal and something more material?
I cannot count the number of times where I have gone to church and they are selling cds, tapes, etc right inside the narthex. Or the number of times a pastor has said something completely outside of what the Bible teaches. For me, sometimes I will go to church and realize why I don’t go as often anymore.
I don’t think it’s right to forbid people communion based off of whether or not they’re catholic or lutheran or whatever. Just.. lots of stuff that makes me sad. Not everybody grew up going to church, either. That’s why i do not enjoy non denominational services filled with songs that I have no idea how to sing cuz guess what, not everybody had parents who took them to church. For me, church is more of a parade but when I want to go, I do go. And that is all I hafta say.
Can your little toe function as it was created to function if it is separated from the foot?
It depends. What reasons keep you from church?
No, yet I feel like it is where believers need to be. More importantly where believers should want to be.
Also, I think it is important to remember a building doesn’t make it a church-rather the people make it a church. And when believers come together to worship and edify one another- it is an awesome experience. What I take home from being at church with others of like faith is something I can use to grow me spiritually and then reach out to help someone else. Lots of people without faith can help others and do so. But works without faith is nothing! Okay sorry -steered off the subject a little.
You don’t have to attend temple/church/etc. regularly to be a good follower of your faith. As long as you’re serving your god and being faithful and true, I don’t see how that’s a problem. The Catholic church gets a little too obsessed with everyone going to every mass every Sunday and stuff.
Don’t have an opinion. Don’t care at all.
No, you don’t have to go to be a true believer.
Not necessarily. I think you have to be a part of the church and being a healthy believer requires fellowship with other believers, but you don’t have to go to a formal church to do that.
If you are seeking to follow the Triune God who expressed God’s self fully in Jesus Christ, yes, otherwise I don’t know. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is expressed in community (note the trinity), in relationship in and with others, if one refuses to be in relationship with those called brother and sister in Jesus Christ one is not following the iwtness of Jesus Christ, and in rejecting that witness they are not following God.
No way
It’s important, but not necessary. I think it’s great to be able to gather together and be encouraged and challenged in your faith by other believers, and to hear the word of God spoken in a way that can help make it seem more applicable in everyday life. But not everyone has that luxury. In America especially, where we have the freedom to go to whatever church we please, it’s easy to think that regular attendance or attendance at all is a must-do to truly follow God, but in LOTS of other countries, people simply can’t do that. Does that make them any less of a Christian than people that DO go to church? No way! Besides, a lot of people that DO go to church are just doing it to go through the motions, and don’t have a really strong relationship with or desire to really follow God.
“You don’t need to go to Church regularly, since WE ARE THE CHURCH”
Defffffinitely
“Also how do u pay your tithe if u dont go?”
Do you need to actually attend a church to pay tithe? Uhm, no. By the way, God never said that your tithe needs to go directly to a church. I believe you’re free to give it to any organization you feel might best go to help others (I’m talking missionaries, or support-a-kid programs) and serve God.
Jesus set up the church to give us a group of people to stay accountable with, he also built the church in order for Christians to learn how to minister, and what things to minister. Saying you can worship from home is a cop out–sure I can praise the Lord from my couch, but really why? Because I’m lazy or afraid? I’ve been to many churches, I know fear and the feeling I never want to go back–and all that was before I truly fell in love with Christ. I’m in leadership at a wonderful church—and without that I’m not the person God that has called me to be. I’ve heard that excuse all too many times. I don’t believe going to church makes your more pious, yada yada…but God has called His people to be one with him…and He is the church.
Yeah, because ultimately it’s the last command and the most important one given by Jesus. Now to ignore that just would be no good.
no.
No – It’s more in you actions and behavior
Yes, but exceptions do apply. God has told us to worship with believers and rest on the Sabbath.
No, but community/fellowship and mentorship, that kind of thing, is a HUGE part. Sadly, church isn’t always the best place to get those things.
No, I don’t believe you do.
I’m not saying you should NEVER go or go like once a year though! I’m just saying I’m not the one to believe that you HAVE to be in church everytime the doors are open.
No. Live life for God and pray and that’s the best you can do. Besides, a lot of churches these days don’t know what they are talking about. They just take your money and preach some propaganda. I’d rather get close to God in my own way than listen to some guy I may or may not trust tell me that I’m going to burn in hell if I wear pants instead of a skirt.
i go to church regularly because i like being in the presence of other believers and to praise God with music, because i can’t play anything
No. But it helps.
Besides, its fun to go to church. For me anyway.
do you have to be a follower of God?
i believe so, since many of the mandates are relational in nature.. and besides, if you like traditional churches, probably worship at home and worship at church has no difference, but if you are charismatic, there is huge difference.. its almost, stupid to think you can experiences God like how you would at a church.
j
Well in the Bible it says “Do not give up meeting together”….so it must be pretty important. Yeah.
Hebrews 10:25. I should quote the verse too. I’m in a bad habit of not doing that.
screw that
No, but I like church anyway.
No.
We are to commune regularly with other believers, but that doesn’t mean you have to gather with them in a church. You can visit them in their homes, at the mall, etc.
I believe that it is VERY beneficial to go to church, but it is certainly not a requirement nor does it make you a “real” follower of God.
Well, yes you do. Church helps the believer grow spiritually.
“Faith without works is dead.”
The Gods don’t really care about the buildings, do they?
’nuff said…
I believe church is more for those wanting a community/ who need guidance, I personally hate churches, or I should say hate ‘attending’ churches. As someone else said before, ‘your religion is between you and god’
Maybe if you’re Christian…
However, I’m Pagan… Nature is my church. All I have to do is take a look around me, and I see, feel, and hear the Goddess…
justsayin….
Church has little to do with God.
Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian anymore than going to McDonald’s makes you a hamburger, however, the church is there to help you grow spiritually and to have accountability and for fellowship.
We are saved by grace through faith (in Jesus Christ) not of works (ie church, temple, etc) lest any man should boast. Eph. 2: 8 & 9
Yes! I always do.
No, you don’t have to. They do help however, in that they show you more of God’s word every Sunday.
no. just because you don’t have time for church shouldn’t mean you don’t have time for HIM. man that was good!! and I’M an animist!people do have lives outside of their religion… which is more than i can say for jehovah’s witness’. hahahha jsut kidding.
Yes. “Do not forsake the fellowship of other believers” It provides accountability. The body of Christ, remember?
The Word Of God says, “Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised;
10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
Psa 111:1 Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
Not my response, but from the Living WORD
> Only if you feel the need for fellowship, which if I remember correctly has something to do with the Lord’s encouragement or some such….
Peace
no, to be a follower is in your heart. Your serving God is limited only by your relationship with God. Since He doent live EXCLUSIVELY int eh church, you can converse or worship in your own way anywhere.