should a christian belong to a church?

Its possible to love Jesus and not go to church, same as its possible to love rhubarb, (but not without sugar.)Christian Churches are on the way out because of the empty pews and the high cost of upkeep. Christianity may last longer without the churches, as the buildings are just an added expense! A Funny Thing has just happened in our community- During the summer months its been customary for our 3 community churches to invite each other to share services. However its just been announced from the pulpit of the United Church, that henceforth, any Gay or Lesbian persons (or couples) would not be welcomed to the service of the Free Methodist Church!

There is nothing wrong with not being a member of a church. I think you are teaching them right. It is up to the individual if you want to goto church or not. Organized religion is not such a good thing as they say.

I am a christian too and i am currently attenfing a church nearby. Often though i am not going to the same church all the time... I think and as i always sayto people who asks me... Being a christian and knowing that i am faithful to God i am always under his protection with or wthout church affiliations. Being with a church although boosts your confidence in knowing that you are able to goto someoneor group of people who share the same faith. Important thing really is when you know yourself and your faith.

Well, if you really love our Lord Jesus Christ, you need to belong to his church as we read in the bible that our Lord Jesus Christ, build a Church which is called Church of Christ, as the apostle called it. To be a christian you need to belong with the church that our Lord Jesus Christ established in his time.

well how can u here if there is no teacher to teach u the word no u are not teaching them wrong but not right either we all must joint togeather u have to be taught the word that why there are preacher and teacher in the church

I completely agree with the people saying that you are still a Christian. you do not need to be a part of the Church in order to be a christian. What matters is that you believe in God and that you have faith in God. i am a Catholic but i do not have a church too. As long as you obey God's teachings and commandments, you are still a Christian. May God bless you :)

I don't always go to church as I find I learn more and enjoy the intimacy and fellowship of Bible Study. Bible Study/Small Groups are a good way to fellowship and worship our Lord. Churches are also good if you like the one you are attending. Whatever you do, pray about it and read the Bible. Remember that Jesus never had his followers build a church for the church is the people who worship together, not a building. As a mother and a Christian, however, you must make sure your children grow in your faith. Now while they are young and look to you for guidance, is the time you teach them the importance of the Bible, Jesus and God. Once they become adults they may want to turn away from your teachings. I do hope not, but if you teach them well, they will turn out like me and grow strong in their faith and it will be there to help them in their lives long after you are gone. I thank God my parents did this for me when I was little. After I joined the navy and traveled on my own I still went to church and read the Bible and worshipped God on my own. God is always with me and he has helped me many many times throughout my life. So keep on doing your best while your children are young. It won't hurt them at all if you teach them with love and good guidance. They will thank you for this. =D

You can be a christian and not belong to any church. Your faith is in what you believe and what you practice. it is not in the building you meet in. I do believe that your faith can become stronger when you have a foundation to build on. having the fellowship of the church can help to ground your faith. Even if you can not find a church that you truly want to belong to it will not take away from your life as aChristin. Only you can do that.

There's nothing wrong with what you are doing. For me this is the best explanation there is regarding the church. "The holiest moment of the church service is the moment when God’s people—strengthened by preaching and sacrament—go out of the church door into the world to be the church. We don’t go to church; we are the church." - Canon Ernest Southcott You see the church someone told you is just a building. We are the church. We are supposed to be spreading the words of God to others especially to our family and friends. My family does go to a Christian Organization to hear preaching and to participate in their good deeds but our family is more on reading the bible, doing what is right and good as well as spreading the words of God.

No, no, no, you are not wrong find a church being led by the holy spirit and that will be your home church simple as that God bless u.....

Hi midnightmom! :) I'm a born again Christian myself and I belong to a church. MY family does actually. I grew up in a religious environment since my family in my mom's side is very active religiously. personally, i think being a christian doesn't have to mean you belong to a church. Some people go to church but they don't even understand or know the purpose why they are there. As long as you believe in God, and you recognize Him as your personal savior and redeemer, you are a Christian. :)

I am of the opinion that any belief should start at home. I mean that if you really believe in something, then you do not need, let's say, a mediator of this belief. It should be up to each of us to decide and whatever your decision is, it should be respected.

Always remember that it's the people of faith that makes the church, not the church itself for a church without the people of faith in it is just a building...

I think belonging to one church is more of a choice but the bible tells us that we are to meet together Hebrews 10:25 Heb 10:25 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. The reason is to give support to one another when things come up in our lives that we need help with. If you go to different churches and never let any one no who you really are then your needs will never be known. To be a member of just one congregation will then allow the people in the church to become more of a family to you and no when you are in trouble. The pastor of the church will also know who you are better and know when you really need help. A church is kind of like a support group that stands behind you when you fall down. They pick you up because they no what you need and put you back on track again.

A Christian should belong to a church, but it has to be a church that teaches the whole word of God, the ten commandments, and is patterned after what was written in the Bible, and not just the Old Testament or man's ideas. Before I became a real Christian as against a nominal Christian, I went searching for the true church and there are many churches that are true churches, I listened to programs on the Tv, and went to several churches (now it started after my mother passed and went with my father to the church he went to, then later on another church that was a cult like), then the listening to Tv evangelists, etc. tried out a few other churches until I got the right one and I found what being a real Christian was.. You see before that, I had my own ideas - man's ideas of what a Christian was - works, being a good person, taking credit for my goodness, and believing that certain sins were worse then others, and thinking that I could coast along on my goodness. Going to several churches, and finding out if they adhere to the Bible and esp. to what Christ preached as well as what his apostles did, is the good way to learn.

As far as I know and read from the bible. To be Christian you need to belong to the church but not any church the church where our Lord Jesus Christ establish and this is his body...

I do not feel that you have to go to church to love the Lord. My husband and I have not found a church that fits us yet. We do not go to church but we love God. I don't think there is such a requirement. We can love the Lord and worship Him at home with our loved ones. There is nothing wrong with it...

Well, the whole meaning of.Christian is the follower of jesus Christ. That is why no matter which church you go to, as long as you follow the words of god. Be sure of who you are worshipping. It will be your duty to let your childreb know that. There is only one god. So as long as we are worshipping him and no one.

Hello midnightmom44, there is absolutely no problem in going to a church you wish. God does not categorize people according to which church they go. I think what you are doing with your kids is right. Give them good upbringing & I'm sure you are already doing it. On the flip side, when you require services/rituals from the church, it better to have a membership in a particular church. This will be helpful in cases of Baptism etc.... Otherwise you are doing pretty well.. Have a good life!!!

Hello midnightmom! I am a pastor's wife, and I feel that it's a good thing to attend several churches to get a feel for which congregations are good for you and your family. Your dedication to your faith is not dependent upon a house of worship. Worshiping as a group is a part of it yes, but I believe the Bible states to pray in private and do your good works without fanfare. True faith is not showy, and going to church to say "I went to church!" or "I go to this church every Sunday!" is definitely 'showy.' My husband grew up in one church, I went to several because I didn't feel like I was a part of their worship family and didn't feel comfortable becoming a part of a church that didn't make me feel completely welcome. Home churches are important if you join a program sponsored by the church. For example, my husband had to have a sponsor church, his home congregation, for when he went to seminary school to become ordained. Practice your faith as you are willing and able. The only way to do it 'wrong' is to do it in a way that is not comfortable to you. Blessings ~Mandy