by mrs lilyI sort of half joke that I do not like church, but no one seems to take me seriously. Of course I can’t be serious, right? I mean, if you’re a Christian, you go to church, right? Usually the response I get is something along the lines of “do not forsake the assembling of ourselves together”…because everyone knows this Scripture means: “Do not stop going to a church service every Sunday morning”...
The truth is that most of my life I have not enjoyed going nor have I felt comfortable in church. There, I said it. Yet for various reasons, I have always gone, and perhaps I always will. I am in no way trying to discount the importance of the church as we know it today, nor do I discourage anyone from going to "church".
I am not one to nitpick the church and everything that has gone wrong over time; I do believe it is intended for good and despite it's flaws the Lord has been able to use it and move through it. We have been given a wonderful opportunity through the church as we know it to grow and meet corporately for prayer, praise and teaching. So it is not that I disagree with it entirely.
I just long for so much more.
I have heard it said that often when the gospel is presented to an indigenous group of people, and not laid out in a westernized system, these people will make the gospel their own, and it is beautiful and real, and rarely looks anything like we in America know church to look like. It makes me wonder why the church as we know it is the only way accepted by Christians in America, and what it could possibly look like if we didn't have the previous knowledge that we do of how to do a church service. But perhaps it is the fear that there will be no order, no solid time of meeting in America's busy lifestyle, or fear of getting off-base that we stick to what we know. But does that mean it is the best or only way?
For me personally, I know that the times I have grown the most in fellowship with other believers, been encouraged through the Word and felt the presence of the Lord, is often through a simple meal or a good conversation shared with other believers, or through praying with a friend, or even during the fellowship time before or after church. I'm not saying I haven't benefited from the church, but I know it is not where I have grown the most.
I still want to meet with other believers, I still want someone in my life teaching me and helping me grow, I still want the opportunity to pray and praise our Father corporately with other believers –
But does that really mean being a member of a specific church and going every Sunday?
Comments (117)
Sometimes I wonder if it even matters if Christians "enjoy" going to church. I mean, why do we think that we have to like it? I tend to think that it's even MORE important to go when we don't like it. If we only go when we like it, what kind of sacrifice is that?
@hubbaduh@xanga - I agree we should go, but I don't think it's God's best for us to hate it, either.
I don't like church either. Such a shame 'cause I think its important you should like going to church.I just don't see the point in going when you don't like church. Who are you kidding when God knows you are checking the time till your escape every five minutes at church? Its a huge hurdle to overcome but its important to concentrate on building your faith in other ways although not forgetting the importance of church .
I don't like church either, but I go because I know the Bible tells us to meet with other Christians. I believe that as God continues to heal my hurts, this will improve as well.
God wants us to enjoy spending time worshiping him. Our happiness is very important to Him, as can be seen all throughout the Bible. I don't think that the assembly of believers we are not to forsake means a church, per se. Often, when people have heard it paraphrased as "Jesus said 'Go to church'" then that is what they have substituted in their head as what God actually said. I don't think this is true. If your growth benefits more from meeting in homes over meals, or from praying with a close group of friends, I'd say go for it. Praying about it would probably also be a good idea..
i guess i'd just recommend trying different churches til you find one that fits...ask God to lead you to the right one for you...save a little time... ;D
@death_by_chocolat@xanga - Can you give us a few verses that actually says that God cares about our happiness of wants us to be happy? Because I honestly can't think of a single verse that actually says that.
I think you are misunderstanding something important about what church is. Imagine if you were an Israelite who had been commanded by God to show up at Mount Sinai. You heard that He was going to speak to Israel there. You heard that He was going to make a formal agreement with you, a "covenant".
It would likely never enter your head to think about whether you enjoyed it or not. The fact would be, that is where you are commanded to be at that time, and that is where you go. The King has summoned you, and not so you can enjoy yourself. Indeed, you should be a bit uncomfortable. God Himself is going to do business with you. Now, we do not do the sacrifice thing today to renew the covenant when we present ourselves before Him. Instead, if are in faithful churches, we renew the Covenant weekly by partaking of the shed blood and broken Body of His Son, the Sacrificial Lamb. The Scripture tells us that every time we do this, we proclaim the Good News until He comes. We are agreeing to the terms, one again, that God requires of the sinners that we are.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you shouldn't or can't enjoy it. I'm just saying that you are starting in the wrong place-- that if you start out with awed obedience, and add understanding to what is going on, and faith in the fact that something supernatural yet very real is happening, you will come to a place where 'enjoyment' seems a poor thing indeed to strive after. God is extending His hand to you to renew the Covenant. He is telling you once again what he has done for you and your forefathers in the faith. You will know the JOY of accepting His hand, and saying Yes once more, to confessing your sin and acknowledging your need for the owrk of Christ. I hope that this will be true of you this Sunday.
@hubbaduh@xanga - Ok, ok, my mistake, not happiness, I mean joy. God wishes us to be joyful. The first verse that pops into my head would be Proverbs 17:22, "A joyful heart is like good medicine." Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 relates slightly, as well Eccl. 3:12-13, 5:19, and 9:9. Summarized, these verses say "Happiness is a gift from God."
Another reason I believe God wants us to be happy/joyful/whatever we'd like to call it would be simply to take a look at the world around us. Isn't it beautiful? Doesn't it give us joy to take a hike on a majestic mountain, or to swim in a clear, blue lake? It's not only beautiful, it's refreshing.
If church is not a refreshing place to be, I don't think it's a good, helpful tool. Church, the way it has been Westernized, is not necessarily biblical.
I dunno, just my uneducated two cents.
Reminder: we are "the Church," the Body of Christ, and Christ Himself is the Head. The true Church is a living organism not an organization but too often we structure it and run it like an organization. And that's when the Church begins to resemble the NT Church (e.g.-see Acts 2:42-47) less and less.
But that's no excuse not to go and not to be involved regularly with a group of believers. The Bible tells us to forsake not the assembling together (Heb. 10:25). The early church continued steadfastly together; they met daily (see the Acts passage). When we check out of church, it's like we're saying to Jesus, "I don't want any part of You or Your brothers and sisters." When we think of it that way, it gives a much different perspective on church!
Mrs. Lily-If you are really discouraged with where you are at, you can prayerfully consider these options: 1) to work within your present church to make it look more like the NT church, or 2) to look for another church where you can plug in and grow and thrive. God wants us to be engaged and involved in the Church. It's part of His means of grace to us to sustain us in our faith and if we aren't involved and using the gifts God has given us, we aren't living out who we are in Christ and are not being good stewards. (How can the Body be whole and healthy without an eye, foot, and so on, i.e.-without YOU?)
I think part of the problem is people who go to church looking for "the church" to do something FOR them. Make them happy, lift their spirits, entertain them. Then when that doesn't happen they decide they don't "like" church, many become "church hoppers", looking for that "magic" church that is going to fill all their needs. Whatever happened to going to church to serve others and to worship our Lord? As you make the effort to do that, you will be blessed in many ways.
I don't think that it's necessarily required that one attend church EVERY Sunday. I think it is VERY important to have that fellowship with other believers (and not just a dinner or lunch, but engaged conversation about the Lord). I think that we do need to sometimes hear the word from others rather than just read it for ourselves (though this is definitely also important and many don't read it, just go to church, I think a combo of both is important). Now, I don't think that the only one to do this is by going to church. There are other ways, too. Talking with a friend, for example.
I do not think church-hopping is good though, either. I think it's good to get involved with a group of believers, an easy way to do this is through the church.
Though, perhaps it's the church you go to that you just don't like. They're really not all the same. Try some others?
i have the same qualms about church even though i understand that going is not about satisfying me, but God. I just feel like I can find joy in the Lord in other ways. And not just joy, but be fed the Word by God outside of church too.
still on the fence about it
I'm a Christian and haven't gone to church regularly in years. There's a big difference between spirituality and organized religion. I am very spiritual. I am a recovered alcholic and attend AA Meetings regularly and that's where I go on Sunday mornings and I've felt God's presence there more times than I ever did in a church.
@hubbaduh@xanga - Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. (Amplified)
This is a favorite verse of mine. When I experience God's presence, I am more happy and joyful and peaceful than anywhere else. The pleasure I feel is off the charts; I can't describe it.
Do I believe God wants us to be happy? Absolutely! Why? Because His greatest goal is for us to be just like Him, and He is the most joyful being in the universe!
That doesn't mean I don't think we should do the right thing, even if it doesn't make us happy. I do think, though, that God's goal is to change us inside so that the things He asks us to do will bring us joy.
Hi Mrs Lily
Just wanted to share a bit of what my year's been like. I haven't enjoyed going to church in the past.....year or 2?....Anyway, there has a period over this year I've wanted to change chuch. I actually took a 3 month leave from my current church ministries. I needed to go to another church and re-focus...figure out what's missing, why I haven't enjoyed going to church and why I haven't been growing.
I"ve decided to stay with my home church. What's keeping me there is, like others have said, I AM part of the church. I need to work at it and do my part to rebuild the church and serve the people that God has intended this church to serve.
God had intended for church to be when Christians gather together to worship Him....I can't think of anything else that can be more enjoyable than that!....but sometimes, I guess we find it impossible because of things around us....these things block our sight of God.
I'm not good at putting thoughts together, but I guess I just want to encourage you to keep going to church...whether is this one or another one. God has plans for each of us. He places/leads us to each church congregation for a reason. Apart from worshipping Him, we grow through serving Him and fellow brothers and sisters too!
I hope you'll find your place soon.
@hubbaduh@xanga --Like @death_by_chocolat@xanga I'd call it happy, joy, blessed, whatever. Check out the beatitudes. "Blessed..." Although this happiness/joy doesn't mean a superficial, pasted-on happy face, but a deep abiding joy from knowing the Lord of the Universe has given His Son for us and will also freely give us all things. It also doesn't mean prosperity gospel, for we do find that throughout the Bible God's people will be sorrowful and will suffer.
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. John 15:11.
Rejoice in the Lord always.
John Piper's Christian hedonism: Glorify God by enjoying Him forever.
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13.
i definitely struggle with the same thing, esp. since i am currently in a new location and church-hopping gets old fast. however, i think part of being a part of a church is serving in it and exercising this amazing part God has given us in a body of Christ. I have had great experiences just being a Sunday school teacher or a welcoming committee member, or just doing audiovisual/media stuff. Church is not only a great place to worship God, but to see the body of Christ in unity, praying, worship, fellowshipping, serving, all together perfectly unified in our unique and critical roles. I think that brings glory to Him, and that alone is pretty amazing!
Maybe it's a matter of finding the right church. I went 2 years going to a different church practically every Sunday and for the most part didn't enjoy it. I'm now in a church I really enjoy going to. So, don't give up.
Bah, I'm just glad I'm a Catholic and don't have to worry about this crap. Twice a year is all you need.
@hubbaduh@xanga - Can you give us a few verses that actually
says that God cares about our happiness of wants us to be happy?
Because I honestly can't think of a single verse that actually says
that.
Do you think that joy and happiness are not the same? If we have joy, are we not happy? Do you believe God doesn't want us to be joyful?
I don't believe the life of a Christian is always joyful as there are times of mourning. But I believe God wants us to be joyful.
@eclipse_the_dawn@xanga - There's many Catholics that also don't enjoy going to church. Don't try to act like catholics don't also have that problem.
@musterion99@xanga - Are you kidding me? If I had to go more than twice a year, I'd commit seppuku. As far as I know, that's also true of the majority of Catholics.
Oh yeah, and reread my comment. Think you missed a bit. Oh, hi, I remember you. Still feisty.
@eclipse_the_dawn@xanga - Ok, so you're not what would be considered a good Catholic.