Do Christians have to go to church to be closer to Christ?
By bab3449
@bab3449 (42)
United States
May 21, 2010 7:24pm CST
As a christian is it really necessary to attend church every Sunday in order to be certified as a true believer of Christ? I stopped going to church a while back because all my One Faith Christian Church does is pray throughout the services. I understand that prayers are the means to communicate with God, but standing in front of the altar, to pray for the most part of the services is a bit too much. I left the church because I felt it was kind of ridiculous having the pastor pray for the congregation all the time. Since I left I have found consolation in the TV Church channels. And guess what? I am more closer to God now. The services on TV are based on the explanation of the Bible verses which I find very inspiring. However, I miss going to church. I miss giving out the tithes that one is supposed to give to God.
12 responses
@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
22 May 10
bab, the 3rd commandment tells us to keep holy the Sabbath day. That means it is mandatory for us to go to church. The community of Christians praying is wonderful to see!
@bab3449 (42)
• United States
22 May 10
I think I have to go familiarize myself with the 10 commandments again. Does "Keep Holy the Sabbath Day" means we should keep it holy in the church or in our hearts?Please explain to me Eileenleyva why I cannot "keep holy the Sabbath" at home by watching the services on TV, on the Church channels. Isn't it like Church?
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
24 May 10
The media is one way of disseminating the faith. It is meant to somehow reach out to far flung places where people do not know Christ yet. It is also meant to render services to those who cannot make it physically to church - like the aged, the indisposed, the handicapped, etcetera. But if one is well and able, what is impeding him to unite with the body of Christians in the church. In the church, we can collectively sing praises to God, the Almighty Father and give thanks for all our blessings. In the church we can also know firsthand about the problems of our neighbors. Then we can lend a helping hand. When we do that, God will give us a wide grin. You will like it, God smiling down upon you, I mean.
@bab3449 (42)
• United States
24 May 10
You have a point. A gathering of believers coming together as one in a church is a good thing, especially in the eyes of God. God wants each one of us to be sociable and to love our neighbors. However, spending time alone with God would be preferable to God because Faith in Christ is an individual experience, not a collective experience.
1 person likes this
@KarissaAngel (362)
• United States
22 May 10
I read of few of your responders and agree with most of them. You can't really say going to church on a regular basis will make you a true christian. Churches have changed and each one preaches something different. You must find your own way to speak to God. As one of your responders stated ... it woudl be better to pray to God in a closet. God wants the alone time with you. Church brings fellowship to be with other christians. You can do that outside of church also.
@KarissaAngel (362)
• United States
22 May 10
As far as tithes, if you have a church you use to be a member or non-member of you can mail in your tithes. Most churches will send you envelopes in the mail. Mine does.
@kharlav (1669)
• Philippines
22 May 10
GOing to church alone won't make a person be closer to God. A person who does it for the sake of it wont be closer to God because he must do it because He loves God and have a genuine relationship with him. It will just become religiosity without love and relationship. But going to church is important because you learn about God, you will be able to serve, praise and worship him. And you will also be connected with God if you will go to church. The church is important and choosing the right one is more important. Your church will lead you to growth or stagnation, so you have to pick the right church.
@bab3449 (42)
• United States
23 May 10
You know I've been to many churches, but I would always quit because I found the people there not very receptive of people who don't contribute money to their cause. Most of those churches are always looking at your pocket. If you can't give out as much money as they would want you to, they would stare you in the face as if you do not belong.
@kharlav (1669)
• Philippines
23 May 10
That's not good. The house of God should not be about money but about God. If I were you, ask God the right church for you. THat's what I did, though it took me 2 years to be in the right church but it is better than not to be in the right church at all. Pray to God, I know He will not hesitate to answer your prayer. He will let you meet the right people and be at the right place. Stay at that church for the meantime, anyway, church is not about you/me but about God. Just go there to worship God for now. I know God will be gracious and merciful to you and He will bless you for doing such.
@jajabugz (71)
• Philippines
22 May 10
in my opinion what ever matter is the important is you are still in God's love.. and you follow his will.., I'm glad to hear that you much closer to God now., and I'm blessed because there are TV Church channels like that and so they evangelize the word of God..
HaPpy mYLotTing ?_?
@bab3449 (42)
• United States
23 May 10
Yes. Isn't it wonderful to be reminded about the Word every minute of the day. I have become addicted to watching TV church services every night before I go to bed and every morning when I wake up. The Church channel TBN is about the greatest gift God has given me. I would recommend that every Christian tune in to the channels every day. This could help them understand the Bible better and help them focus more on Jesus.
@wishpony1953 (1)
• United States
22 May 10
I totally agree that you do not have to attend church to be a true Christian. I have found that many churches are filled with hypocrisy and they are out for the interests of the people who are running those churches. I believe that the sabbath is on Saturday which is another discussion altogether. But if you are Christian in your heart, talk to Jesus, pray when your life is good or bad, that is what the true meaning of Christianity is. My tithes go to people that are in my family that are my friends that are in need of help when God has given me the means to provide. I am there for them to give them support and help them out when I am able. I am closer to God than I have ever been myself and know that the tribulations that I go through are to strengthen me and to help others along the way in their journey.
@mammukake (1)
• Ireland
22 May 10
definitely no.. I am sorry if i affront anyone,but I am sure and so much sure i am much closer with god by myself,with no priest or church.As we see,there is many priests who have been very very bad,so i do not need any priest between me and god and about church..then i go to church if i want to,but i dont feel that i need to,i think it doesnt make me any better..my home is my church:))
(forgive me my bad english )
@lowlycook (265)
• Philippines
23 May 10
Congrats bab2449! Going to church is good, and when I say church I don't mean a place or a building. I mean a spiritual fellowship of believers. I've stopped going to church buildings, too, and I'm so excited about Jesus daily, each moment! I really get to enjoy his deep and awesome presence in my quiet times and Word meditation "day and night." I get genuine spiritual fellowship with believers all the time--not just on Sundays or tiring prayer meetings which are mainly about people's needs, wants, and wishes. Often, when I pray, I ask God what he wants. I learned that when I stopped going to church buildings. Even my secular website is full of Jesus without sounding churchy. It's not a "Christian" website. To me, it's just a fun website, that's all! It's a whole new life, the genuine new creation life.
God bless you, bab3449!
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
22 May 10
Christians must find God in their hearts first. Churches are places of worship. We can come together to worship God. A church is still just a building to meet in. If you don't know Christ in your heart, your christianity is at stake.
@josh_box (17)
• Philippines
22 May 10
for me going to church is not really we need to fulfil to be come close to gor or to be come a good cristians. being a good christian for me is putting god and jessus christ alway on your heart. me i dont go to church but every nigh i go to sleep i alway thanks good and jessus christ for the good thing that i receive in every day. i feel much comfor when i pray alway before sleep since its like jessus is alway on your side to lissen and for your needs. but still going to church is a nice thing to do for a christians
@godsgardener4002 (281)
• China
26 May 10
Good morning
To begin with talking with JESUS is simple.Just be honest with HIM and seek to do HIS will not yours.
As for going to church, through the years I have attended many churches of differant denominations and found them hypicritical.Now however I attend a nondenominational chuch now and feel as if being a member of a family for the first time in my life.I came from a very disfunctional family.There are times when we are singing it feels as if angels are in the romm singing praises with us.
Please do not give up on going to church."Seek and ye shall find." It took me forty years but it is worth it.I pray it does not take you that long
May the sunshine of JESUS' love bless you today and every day
@mille_0419 (45)
• Philippines
22 May 10
well for me..it all depends on your faith to GOD..i've been busy with school and i can barely go to church..but i pray everytime i have time..before going to bed and when i wake up,before and after meals and such..going to church is needed ofcourse but it all depends on your faith..no matter how busy we can get..God will always be there for us.. :)
@winjayoma (186)
• Philippines
26 May 10
Bro, I appreciated you for being honest to your self. However, I would like to stand on what the Word of God says... Hebrews 10:25, do not give up the habit of fellowship one another or do not forsake the assembly. It is good to listen to the preaching in Radio or television but God has founded the church for us believers to have fellowship and strengthening one another's faith. Aside from that, God has given us 7 days... we work for 5 or 6 days but on the seventh... we need to give it for the Lord in going to church for fellowship, worshiping God with some believers and this way, you will be strengthened and encouraged and also you are encouraging also other believers with your presence. God bless!
