What are some of the reasons people don’t like going to church buildings or institutionalized churches?

[bdavidc]

I’ve been thinking lately about why a lot of people don’t like going to church buildings or being part of big, organized churches. The Bible talks about staying connected with other believers (Hebrews 10:24-25), but it also warns about false teachers and churches being more about money and show than real worship (2 Peter 2:1-3, Matthew 21:12-13). Do you think things like constant fundraising, big building projects, and entertainment-focused services are turning people away? What other reasons do you think people have? Curious to hear what everyone thinks — and if any Scripture comes to mind too!

 

[dad]

I’ve been thinking lately about why a lot of people don’t like going to church buildings or being part of big, organized churches. The Bible talks about staying connected with other believers (Hebrews 10:24-25), but it also warns about false teachers and churches being more about money and show than real worship (2 Peter 2:1-3, Matthew 21:12-13). Do you think things like constant fundraising, big building projects, and entertainment-focused services are turning people away? What other reasons do you think people have? Curious to hear what everyone thinks — and if any Scripture comes to mind too!

I find it a bit like watching the same movie over and over. I also don't like the focus on a building as far as a financial priority. I also do not like churches accepting the government support via tax breaks and etc that have been used as an excuse to close churches in the covid scamdemic. The bible is directly opposed to the woke policies of many western governments. I think 'churches' should go underground and worry more about pleasing God than governments.

 

[Stumpmaster]

I’ve been thinking lately about why a lot of people don’t like going to church buildings or being part of big, organized churches. The Bible talks about staying connected with other believers (Hebrews 10:24-25), but it also warns about false teachers and churches being more about money and show than real worship (2 Peter 2:1-3, Matthew 21:12-13). Do you think things like constant fundraising, big building projects, and entertainment-focused services are turning people away? What other reasons do you think people have? Curious to hear what everyone thinks — and if any Scripture comes to mind too!

Heb 10:24-25 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (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.

Having a building is beneficial for those who like to assemble for programmed presentations and performances.

These days those tasked with preparing and producing service agendas require layers of audio-visual tech, which gets a high approval rating from a certain demographic.

I'm not going to make the mistake Uzzah did when he tried to steady the wobbly "ark of the covenant" being carried by man-made means, or attempt to act to remedy something that is none of my business.

1. Uzzah: He is known for his role in the tragic incident involving the Ark of the Covenant. When the Ark was being transported, Uzzah touched it to steady it, which was against God's command. As a result, he was struck down by God. This event is recorded in 2 Samuel 6:6-7 and 1 Chronicles 13:9-10. The story highlights the importance of reverence and obedience to God's instructions.
2. Uzziah: Also known as Azariah, he was a king of Judah who reigned for 52 years. Uzziah was initially a faithful and successful king, but later in life, his pride led him to unlawfully enter the temple to burn incense, a duty reserved for priests. As a consequence, he was struck with leprosy and lived in isolation until his death. His story is detailed in 2 Kings 15:1-7 and 2 Chronicles 26.
   

Both these Bible characters are reminders of the consequences of disobedience and the need for humility before God, so unless He supplies me a viable alternative, I'm stuck where He has required me to fellowship, with a community that has a building, and a following that tests my love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, longsuffering, faith, meekness, and temperance (fruit of the Spirit).

 

[Rockerduck]

When I started church in the 1980's, It was congregational worship, the way it should be. The choir dressed in Choir robes; the worship leader picked the hymns, and we had hymn books. The choir and the congregation sang together and worshiped together. The preacher preached and had an alter call. On Tuesdays we visited homes of new visitors, and church members. Now, no alter call, no visitations, no choir robes. The purpose of the choir robes was to stand apart from the world. Now, on stage, singers dress like the world and musicians dress like the world. It has turned into a loud, entertainment service instead of the worship services of times past. The singers are trying for recording contracts and musicians are paid. So why would someone who went to Church in the 60"s, 70's, and 80's go to a service that is so far removed from the worship services in the past.

 

[Jericho]

I think there are valid criticisms of churches becoming too flashy and seeker-friendly. At the same time, I feel some people expect churches to be perfect. They get easily offended by something the pastor says or by someone else at the church. Church is made up of imperfect people. Things are not always going to be smooth sailing, and you have to accept the good with the bad.

 

[bdavidc]

I'm stuck where He has required me to fellowship, with a community that has a building, and a following that tests my love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, longsuffering, faith, meekness, and temperance (fruit of the Spirit).

Just so I know, where does it say in the bible where God said this, "He has required me to fellowship, with a community that has a building"

 

[bdavidc]

I think there are valid criticisms of churches becoming too flashy and seeker-friendly. At the same time, I feel some people expect churches to be perfect. They get easily offended by something the pastor says or by someone else at the church. Church is made up of imperfect people. Things are not always going to be smooth sailing, and you have to accept the good with the bad.

Hey, I hear what you’re saying, and I agree, no church is perfect. We’re all flawed people growing in Christ, and we do need grace with one another. But let me ask you this, what should we do when the “bad” isn’t just personal shortcomings, but actual teachings that go against what’s written in Scripture? Like when traditions or man-made ideas start replacing what God’s Word says? Jesus warned about that in Matthew 15:9, saying people worship in vain when they teach man’s commandments as doctrine. And Paul told us in Romans 16:17 to watch out for those who bring teachings that go against sound doctrine and to avoid them. I’m just thinking, shouldn’t we be careful not to excuse serious error in the name of “accepting the bad”? It’s not about being picky, it’s about making sure we’re holding to the truth God gave us. What do you think?

 

[dad]

Heb 10:24-25 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (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.

Having a building is beneficial for those who like to assemble for programmed presentations and performances.

Yes and having a lot of things could be beneficial as well. The problem is do you need to sell out to get them? How could any church go along with the biblically criminal actions of governments lately? If the government is killing millions of babies, and pushing Satanic teaching and practices in schools, and has closed churches and forbade preaching and even gathering and you exist as a 'church' on their dime, what does that say?

Both these Bible characters are reminders of the consequences of disobedience and the need for humility before God, so unless He supplies me a viable alternative, I'm stuck where He has required me to fellowship, with a community that has a building, and a following that tests my love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, longsuffering, faith, meekness, and temperance (fruit of the Spirit).

I can see why some people call that stuck

 

[dad]

Just so I know, where does it say in the bible where God said this, "He has required me to fellowship, with a community that has a building"

Good question

 

[Stumpmaster]

Just so I know, where does it say in the bible where God said this, "He has required me to fellowship, with a community that has a building"

Hebrews 10:25 haunts me.

 

[Stumpmaster]

Yes and having a lot of things could be beneficial as well. The problem is do you need to sell out to get them? How could any church go along with the biblically criminal actions of governments lately? If the government is killing millions of babies, and pushing Satanic teaching and practices in schools, and has closed churches and forbade preaching and even gathering and you exist as a 'church' on their dime, what does that say?

I can see why some people call that stuck

I'm very low in the pecking order. Right down the bottom, which is fine. I been in House Churches. What a mess.

 

[dad]

Hebrews 10:25 haunts me.

Why? It did not say all believers must meet every week in a multi million dollar building.

 

[dad]

I'm very low in the pecking order. Right down the bottom, which is fine. I been in House Churches. What a mess.

So why would one need to have a 'house church' to meet sometimes? What I see as a mess is the Catholic and other church systems. I see it as a mess when some 'church' puts out a rainbow flag etc.

 

[NotTheRock]

Many churches are businesses posing as churches.

I also dislike listening to preachers spewing false doctrines such as the one about Jesus running a forever torture chamber.

There's no commandment to attend a church although Paul encouraged members of his fledgling churches to get together.

If I was a young, single, guy I would join a church(es) to find a seriously Christian young lady.

All in all I think the right church can be good for making friends with other Christians. Beyond that there is no point for me to attend.

 

[NotTheRock]

I think twwww. W wa X sssssss sssss XXLhere are valid criticisms of churches becoming too flashy and seeker-friendly. At the same time, I feel some people expect churches to be perfect. They get easily offended by something the pastor says or by someone else at the church. Church is made up of imperfect people. Things are not always going to be smooth sailing, and you have to accept the good with the bad.

There are probably some quality churches that avoid all of the dogma and focus on the basics that all Christians can agree upon, such as following Jesus through our choices and not just our words.

 

[bdavidc]

Hebrews 10:25 haunts me.

Hebrews 10:25 commands believers not to forsake assembling together, but it does not say this must happen in a church building. The focus is on the gathering of believers for mutual encouragement, worship, and exhortation as the return of Christ approaches. In the New Testament, believers often met in homes (Romans 16:5, Acts 2:46, Colossians 4:15, Philemon 1:2) and sometimes in public places (Acts 5:42, Acts 20:20). The “church” in the Bible refers to the people, not a specific building (1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 2:19–22). Nowhere are Christians commanded to build or attend a specific type of structure. What is commanded is that believers gather regularly for the teaching of the Word, breaking of bread, prayer, and fellowship (Acts 2:42). So while assembling is biblical and essential, the idea that it must occur in a designated church building is not found in Scripture.

 

[bdavidc]

I’ve noticed a lot of people are taught that once you join a local church, you’re expected to stay there long-term, even made to feel guilty if you visit other groups or fellowships. But I’m not finding that in Scripture.

The early church met in houses (Romans 16:5, Colossians 4:15), from house to house (Acts 2:46), and gathered wherever believers were walking in the truth. Hebrews 10:25 says we should assemble, but not that we’re limited to one building or leader. Paul actually warned against dividing ourselves under names like “I follow Paul” or “I follow Apollos” (1 Corinthians 1:12–13).

So I want to ask the group: Is the idea of “sticking to one church” truly biblical, or has it become more about tradition, loyalty, or even control?

I’d really appreciate your biblical insights on this.

 

[JohnDB]

Pointing a finger at Church and saying "They do fill in blank wrong is no different from Adam blame shifting to Eve.

The real truth is that you do not love what God loves, you dont hate what God hates, and your "faith" is one-half step away from dying out completely because you can't be bothered with putting in any effort to find a church or get up on Sundays.

There's the real truth. It's so much easier to find excuses not to go than to get dressed up and go and make friends.

If there was a trial with the accusation of being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you with a guilty verdict?

(And no, a Bible stolen from a hotel room ain't enough....especially with the amount of dust covering it)

 

[marks]

I’ve noticed a lot of people are taught that once you join a local church, you’re expected to stay there long-term, even made to feel guilty if you visit other groups or fellowships. But I’m not finding that in Scripture.

The early church met in houses (Romans 16:5, Colossians 4:15), from house to house (Acts 2:46), and gathered wherever believers were walking in the truth. Hebrews 10:25 says we should assemble, but not that we’re limited to one building or leader. Paul actually warned against dividing ourselves under names like “I follow Paul” or “I follow Apollos” (1 Corinthians 1:12–13).

So I want to ask the group: Is the idea of “sticking to one church” truly biblical, or has it become more about tradition, loyalty, or even control?

I’d really appreciate your biblical insights on this.

Liberty, brother! But the more consistency you have with the same people, the more likely you are to form deeper relationships. IMO.

Much love!

 

[NotTheRock]

...and your "faith" is one-half step away from dying out completely because you can't be bothered with putting in any effort to find a church or get up on Sundays.

John, there is no expectation or requirement to attend a church. Our only "work" is to believe in Jesus, according to Jesus.

John 6:29
Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”