Do I really need to go to church if God is in my heart?

The bible says in the book of Hebrews 10:24-25: And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 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. These 2 verses are saying that we should assemble unto our brothers and sisters in Christ because we need to be continuing to uplift and to encourage one another so when the day of Jesus' return approaches, we can be ready. Reason for uplifting and enouraging? Well when we stumble upon the obstacles that are before us, our brothers and sisters in Christ are the ones that will be able to encourage us and lift us up, keeping are focus on God. All I can say is, you should find a church to attend. I know that you can learn about God by watching the Pastors on television, but to be surrounded by fellow worshippers has a different feeling. Finding a perfect church is impossible. For even the bible tells us that all shall fall short of the glory of God. The best thing for you to do is to pray. Pray that God will lead you to the place of worship where he needs you to be. We are all here for a purpose and that purpose is to do the work of God by encouraging, uplifting, and most of all.... loving. I tell you if you pray about it, I am sure that God will lead you to where he needs you to be. It might not be to your liking, but that's not what we should be worrying about. We should be thinking more about what we need to do. So..... pray and I will keep you also in my prayers. God Bless you.

If God is in your heart, your heart will be for the church for God's heart is for the church which He obtained through His own blood (Acts 20:28). And since you are in Sacramento, try checking out www.churchinsacramento.org. May the Lord as the good Samaritan lead you to the inn and find your home in the church. Grace, mercy, and peace be with you.

The Bible says that when two or more people come together to worship Him, you are then a church. If you decide not ot go to church, I believe it would be good to at least have some group to attend that talks about God, and the Bible. I think everybody needs someone to talk to, and hear about God, even if it isnt a preacher. Personally I need to go to Church to stay sane, and to feel comfortable with my spirituality.

I know alot of people ask that question... God sends messages through the preacher to give understanding of his word... sometimes you need to hear the word throught out your trials of life... church is also a place of worship... its where you give your time to focus and prise... My grandfather never went to church but he read the bible every day... its really hard to say, but knowing what is true in your heart should help you along the way... but Personally I need to here the word from a preacher..in times of tribulations it helps me get by

Dear Christian friends, Church isn't a place to go to, Church is what we are, the body of Christ here on Earth. Being his body, we must gather and live in community. Or how else can we actively love our brothers and sisters? How else can we be God's model society, a society of new born and transformed spiritual humans? As long as we think of the Church in terms of buildings or of a crowd listening to a pastor, priest, etc. we don't realize what the Church is. I beg your pardon, but do you really think that listening to some tele-evangelist is what Jesus had in mind when talking about his disciples? Yes, I know, authentic Christian communities are rare. What a shame! But I think, perhaps, it is we ourselves, with our laziness and lack of committment, that are responsible for the kind of churches we have got. I invite you, Christian friends, don't give up! It's so easy to critizise out from our oyster-shells at home, in front of the TV-set. But it will be more valient and more constructive to lift from our easy-chair, enter into one of those churches we don't like and take up where they ceased to be Christ's living body. At least the Lord will welcome you!

I don't think so at all. Churches have nothing to do with your relationship to God. I know he loves me and I know that when I leave this Earth I will be in his good graces. I have went through different periods when I have went to church and I graduated from a Methodist college and I KNOW that going to church is no requisite for being saved. Organized religion these days is more about money anyway. The pastor gets up to the pulpit and speaks for 15 minutes about how HE INTERPRETS the bible, and the other 45 minutes about how much the church is in need of your support. I don't buy it at all. You need to know what the bible means for you in your heart and it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

Nobody has to go to church, but I have found church has helped strengthened me as a Christian. It reminds me of who Christ is and what we should be doing as a body. I believe that is its main purpose as well as reaching out to unbelievers. It helps make us stronger. But, it doesn't mean that you are less Christ-like or Godly because you don't go to church.

I don't go to church at all. I don't think there is nothing wrong with not going to church if you believe in GOD. I think going to church is to learn more about GOD, like a school. God shouldn't punish you for not going. If GOD does, then GOD is a bad guy. If he claim that he love his children like people keep saying then he shouldn't force us to do what we don't want. Sorry. I know I got issue with god right now.

God doesn't force us to go to Church. Bible mentions about this. If God is in your heart, you will find God everywhere and every time. It will be useless if someone goes to Church but his/her actions doesn't reflect what Jesus had taught to us. There is no point at all in the eye of God.

Hi just, I think as Christians, it is very important to go to church. We need to have fellowship with other believers...encouraging one another, worshiping together, helping to lead others to Christ. I love to watch Billy Graham crusades, Dr Charles Stanley and Joel Olsteen. They are really good messengers of God, but we must also be active in a church. I believe it is very important. Visit different churches to find the one that is right for you. Pray that God will lead you to the right church where you will be spiritually fed. A good Bible-believing church. God bless.

You can still worship outside the church building. BUT, when I don't go, I miss the sweet fellowship with those that I have chosen to worship with each week. They pick me up when I'm down and sustain me through tough times. Where are you? I have friends all over the country. Perhaps I could put you in touch with a prayer partner.

My belief is that we are suppose to go church for the reasons of accountability. Yes, Jesus doesn't leave your heart if you dont. There are many people who cannot because of physical limitations get out to a service. I don't believe that Jesus looks down and puts an X beside their name. I guess it comes down between you and God. I would encourage you to attend some churches in your area. I know how much I get from my church family...I love it. They are there for me, and I have been able to bless people in my church as well. But I will keep you in my prayers. Bless you. :) Oh and I love T.D. Jakes!!! I teach many women from his books and teachings.

I agree with you that the real church is in your heart and is truly affected by the way that you treath your fellow man. It is sometimes hard to go to church when you are not inspired by the minister. However, you can worship without going to a physical church building.

You don't need to go to a church that is preaching false doctrine. Please go to www.graceandtruth.net The pastor is Jim Brown. We are blessed to live near the church, but they have a TV ministry, radio ministry and you can receive tapes free. I hope this was helpful. Agape.

i think so... i agree with you that relationship with God is important... but at the same time, relationship with fellow Christians are also important as a body of Christ which you won't experience it if you are not a member of any local church... even in the Bible it is stated very clearly that there are 2 fundamental laws that God gives to us... the first one is to love God with all your heart... and the second one is to love others as you love yourself... so i really think going to the church is very important and is necessary for your spiritual growth as well... that's what i thought...

If you have Jesus in your heart and do no wrong, I dont see the big deal in you not going to church every Sunday.