Why Do You Go/or not go to Church?

  • Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.

    You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Mayflower

Well-Known Member
Jul 14, 2018
7,820
11,768
113
Bluffton
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
I have been going through a searching series called "Have You Forgotten the Why?" Basically why we go to church. I have been a bit torn lately and unsure if Ive made the best decision just going to this new church for now.

His teaching has been that we go to church for the Word of God/to renew our minds, so that we can stand strong against the enemy. I completely agree with this. And they are amazing teachers.

But I realize, like they don't have Sunday night service. And though I studied at home, still have felt a bit down. I guess it is because I've never missed. But I am just going to one for now.

So I am wondering if church is for more then just the Word. Otherwise, why go. Here are thoughts on top of my head.

We go to church for:

1. Accountability to remain walking in the Spirit

2. I want to say music, the Word of God is also sharing through the Worship and I am drawn more to hymns/Gospel type with some contemporary like my current church home rather then the band/newer songs I don't really know at the new church.

3. Doctrine- I think my main question in my mind is on the gifts of the Spirit and how important it is to go to a church that teaches and practices tongues as a prayer language, prophecy, words of wisdom/knowledge.

4. The church body-fellowship among believers/etc. It is hard to measure this after years at the my current one right now.

5. Where I can best serve God.

So why do you go to church? Is there a wrong answer if the church believes God's Word.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bbyrd009 and Nancy

farouk

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2009
30,790
19,230
113
North America
I have been going through a searching series called "Have You Forgotten the Why?" Basically why we go to church. I have been a bit torn lately and unsure if Ive made the best decision just going to this new church for now.

His teaching has been that we go to church for the Word of God/to renew our minds, so that we can stand strong against the enemy. I completely agree with this. And they are amazing teachers.

But I realize, like they don't have Sunday night service. And though I studied at home, still have felt a bit down. I guess it is because I've never missed. But I am just going to one for now.

So I am wondering if church is for more then just the Word. Otherwise, why go. Here are thoughts on top of my head.

We go to church for:

1. Accountability to remain walking in the Spirit

2. I want to say music, the Word of God is also sharing through the Worship and I am drawn more to hymns/Gospel type with some contemporary like my current church home rather then the band/newer songs I don't really know at the new church.

3. Doctrine- I think my main question in my mind is on the gifts of the Spirit and how important it is to go to a church that teaches and practices tongues as a prayer language, prophecy, words of wisdom/knowledge.

4. The church body-fellowship among believers/etc. It is hard to measure this after years at the my current one right now.

5. Where I can best serve God.

So why do you go to church? Is there a wrong answer if the church believes God's Word.
Acts 2.41-42.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mayflower
B

brakelite

Guest
I grew up Catholic... Spent 20 years after receiving Christ in Pentecostal churches... The last 22 years as an Adventist. All 3 'do church' completely different .
For Adventists, it isn't so much about the meeting. It's the day. The meeting is an important aspect of the day, but only takes up a few hours of an entire day, sunset to sunset, that is set aside for focusing on the things of God, and fellowship with one another. Often also is included service to the community, visiting the aged etc.
The meeting itself is unique to Adventism. And I try not to miss it. The first hour is Bible study. It's interactive, and done in small groups. All participate, and anywhere you go in the world to any Adventist church, whatever country and whatever language, they are studying the same topic. This quarterly subject is entitled "the least of these"... Each weekly study has its own emphasis, this week deals with God's purpose in making the world a better place through establishing a peculiar people to serve Him in being a blessing to others... Which follows the first weeks study on creation, and how human beings through sin disturbed the natural order by introducing selfishness as opposed to love. Creation was designed as an interdependent whole... Sin marred this plan.... God purpose is to re-establish that purpose through His people.
So after Bible study, the main service with song prayer, and the main message... Which comes from a roster of church members and guests.
 

quietthinker

Well-Known Member
May 4, 2018
11,542
7,581
113
FNQ
Faith
Christian
Country
Australia
My history is checkered. I have gone in the past as a young person. They where good years. Lots of study and discussions and learning.
Of recent not so much, in fact rarely and the reason being I find it all a bit rote and no-one seems seriously interested in expanding or exploring and I'm done with pushing it against peoples will. Basically, I'm not interested in playing Church.
I read at home, sing or whistle on the beach and talk with God at any hour however I do miss meaningful human interaction.
 

Deborah_

Well-Known Member
Jun 7, 2015
901
855
93
Swansea, Wales
Faith
Christian
Country
United Kingdom
1) To learn

2) To share (fellowship, encouragement, money... this list could be a long one)

3) To serve as a member of the Body

I've been a Christian for 45 years. At the beginning, (1) was the dominant reason for being in a church; these days I learn relatively little, but I have much more to contribute.

Needless to say, it's impossible to do any of these things properly 'on one's own'. OK, you can listen to sermons and talks online, but that's only part of the learning process. You can't really learn prayer, giving, hospitality, etc from books and websites - you need to observe other Christians dong these things.
It's very difficult to help and share with other people without social contact.
And we are supposed to be 'organs' in a body. A row of separate organs on a shelf (heart, lungs, left leg, right arm) doesn't make a body - and on their own they can't function anyway.
 

Windmillcharge

Well-Known Member
Dec 21, 2017
2,934
1,823
113
68
London
Faith
Christian
Country
United Kingdom
The church meeting should be a safe area behind the frontline where Christians can be recreated and prepared for there entry into the world of front line service.
 
  • Like
Reactions: marks and Mayflower

amadeus

Well-Known Member
Jan 26, 2008
22,394
31,446
113
80
Oklahoma
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Most of my life has been spent involved in regular attendance at some designated place with others as "people of God". My longest uninterrupted period of such involvement began in about 2002 and ended in October of last year. It has troubled me some, this period of separation, but I also know that God has been in this separation thing for me.

Others here have already given some good reasons for participation in such regular attendance, but this for me is a first of serving God without such a connection. [My two previous times without such a connection I was going it alone, or trying to, without God. That is to say, I backslid.]

Now I attend here in this forum and at one other Christian Internet forum. Offline I meet regularly with two people besides my wife for prayer, fellowship and Bible studies.

I would have been content to stay in attendance where I was until last October if there had been no trouble, but God had other things in mind for me... To me, this is the most important thing: To be where God wants me to be and so here I am on the outside of those places but moving closer to God.

,
 

Pearl

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Encounter Team
Apr 9, 2019
11,341
17,174
113
Lancashire
Faith
Christian
Country
United Kingdom
I used to enjoy the worship when it seemed to be meaningful but when they started to use modern stuff that I didn't know and just couldn't get into, it didn't feel like worship any more and I couldn't join in wholeheartedly. Also there came a point when I felt we were just going through the motions each week and that there was a lack of real praise, thanksgiving and reverence. I hadn't been for a couple of years but I did go twice earlier this year and felt out of place.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mayflower

farouk

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2009
30,790
19,230
113
North America
I used to enjoy the worship when it seemed to be meaningful but when they started to use modern stuff that I didn't know and just couldn't get into, it didn't feel like worship any more and I couldn't join in wholeheartedly. Also there came a point when I felt we were just going through the motions each week and that there was a lack of real praise, thanksgiving and reverence. I hadn't been for a couple of years but I did go twice earlier this year and felt out of place.
A pity when the environment ceases to be that of worship 'in spirit and in truth' (John 4).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mayflower

Jane_Doe22

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2018
5,241
3,442
113
116
Mid-west USA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
So why do you go to church? Is there a wrong answer if the church believes God's Word.
Ideally it's a time/place to focus on God in a meaningful way. Realistically, that doesn't always happen (especially with kids). But it is still very important to go, commune with other believers (for everyone's benefit) and partake in the Lord's Supper.

I would say that it is good to go to be fed, but also ideally we don't want to just be baby birds opening their mouth and that be the end of it. Ideally we also help out, and bring in all the goodness we learned studying/praying/meditating with God that week.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mayflower
B

Butterfly

Guest
I haven't been to church for about five years now, I started to see through all the man made rules and basically started to question ' why ' I was going. I started to dislike the denominational labels - I think for me , the final straw came when I was in a depression following my mums death, I shared with a few leaders, the pastor and a couple of other members that I was struggling, I had missed about six weeks of going there- no one offered to pray with me, no one rang, and in the end the only email advice I got was to go to the doctors - isn't the church suppose to be the answer !!
I had got through a depression before with prayer. Anyway I left - then I got the job in a care home and have to work nearly every Sunday - so I connect online or watch ' church without walls ' on revelations tv.
I am not opposed to going back to church, but not while I am working where I am, and I would most certainly pick a church that was pro active !
Rita
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hidden In Him

farouk

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2009
30,790
19,230
113
North America
I haven't been to church for about five years now, I started to see through all the man made rules and basically started to question ' why ' I was going. I started to dislike the denominational labels - I think for me , the final straw came when I was in a depression following my mums death, I shared with a few leaders, the pastor and a couple of other members that I was struggling, I had missed about six weeks of going there- no one offered to pray with me, no one rang, and in the end the only email advice I got was to go to the doctors - isn't the church suppose to be the answer !!
I had got through a depression before with prayer. Anyway I left - then I got the job in a care home and have to work nearly every Sunday - so I connect online or watch ' church without walls ' on revelations tv.
I am not opposed to going back to church, but not while I am working where I am, and I would most certainly pick a church that was pro active !
Rita
Prayer and the Scriptures are the best of foundations to build on if one is going to meet in due course with those who are like-minded, aren't they?
 

Mayflower

Well-Known Member
Jul 14, 2018
7,820
11,768
113
Bluffton
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Ideally it's a time/place to focus on God in a meaningful way. Realistically, that doesn't always happen (especially with kids). But it is still very important to go, commune with other believers (for everyone's benefit) and partake in the Lord's Supper.

I would say that it is good to go to be fed, but also ideally we don't want to just be baby birds opening their mouth and that be the end of it. Ideally we also help out, and bring in all the goodness we learned studying/praying/meditating with God that week.

Both churches have talked about how usually it is only about 20% of the church that helps out. I am definitely one of those 20%. Onr of the pastors said I came in like a firecracker. Haha. But I get burned out really easy. Like literally mind block for creative ideas with the kids/ tired in general. I sum it up to spiritual warfare. But for the longest time I was the only one with the kids until our florida family moved back home. Then sort of stepped back. Now Ive been a bit bored not being with the kids. Our new pastor has a heart of gold like is father in law. But his sermons focus a lot on repentance. Important subject, but the church I visit seems to really have focus and vision for their church, thought provoking sermons, and has me excited about studying at home again.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jane_Doe22

farouk

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2009
30,790
19,230
113
North America
Both churches have talked about how usually it is only about 20% of the church that helps out. I am definitely one of those 20%. Onr of the pastors said I came in like a firecracker. Haha. But I get burned out really easy. Like literally mind block for creative ideas with the kids/ tired in general. I sum it up to spiritual warfare. But for the longest time I was the only one with the kids until our florida family moved back home. Then sort of stepped back. Now Ive been a bit bored not being with the kids. Our new pastor has a heart of gold like is father in law. But his sermons focus a lot on repentance. Important subject, but the church I visit seems to really have focus and vision for their church, thought provoking sermons, and has me excited about studying at home again.
If fellowship provokes us to prayer and the Scriptures - and vice versa - then this is really good. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mayflower
B

Butterfly

Guest
Both churches have talked about how usually it is only about 20% of the church that helps out. I am definitely one of those 20%. Onr of the pastors said I came in like a firecracker. Haha. But I get burned out really easy. Like literally mind block for creative ideas with the kids/ tired in general. I sum it up to spiritual warfare. But for the longest time I was the only one with the kids until our florida family moved back home. Then sort of stepped back. Now Ive been a bit bored not being with the kids. Our new pastor has a heart of gold like is father in law. But his sermons focus a lot on repentance. Important subject, but the church I visit seems to really have focus and vision for their church, thought provoking sermons, and has me excited about studying at home again.
Hi Mayflower-I was heavily involved with children's work in a number of churches I went to , but I am intrigued that the church you visit excites you and inspires you to study. The first church you are giving out , but not recieving , hence why you perhaps feel burned out.The latter sounds as if it has the potential to ' feed you, to take in ' which In turn will enable you to give out. We need the balance of both things. Xx
Rita
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mayflower and Pearl

Nancy

Well-Known Member
Apr 30, 2018
16,761
25,324
113
Buffalo, Ny
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
I grew up Catholic... Spent 20 years after receiving Christ in Pentecostal churches... The last 22 years as an Adventist. All 3 'do church' completely different .
For Adventists, it isn't so much about the meeting. It's the day. The meeting is an important aspect of the day, but only takes up a few hours of an entire day, sunset to sunset, that is set aside for focusing on the things of God, and fellowship with one another. Often also is included service to the community, visiting the aged etc.
The meeting itself is unique to Adventism. And I try not to miss it. The first hour is Bible study. It's interactive, and done in small groups. All participate, and anywhere you go in the world to any Adventist church, whatever country and whatever language, they are studying the same topic. This quarterly subject is entitled "the least of these"... Each weekly study has its own emphasis, this week deals with God's purpose in making the world a better place through establishing a peculiar people to serve Him in being a blessing to others... Which follows the first weeks study on creation, and how human beings through sin disturbed the natural order by introducing selfishness as opposed to love. Creation was designed as an interdependent whole... Sin marred this plan.... God purpose is to re-establish that purpose through His people.
So after Bible study, the main service with song prayer, and the main message... Which comes from a roster of church members and guests.

Quite structured! Keeps the unity I suppose, always gives you something to talk about if you run into another Adventist, on a plane or a bus anywhere you go in the world! :)
 

Nancy

Well-Known Member
Apr 30, 2018
16,761
25,324
113
Buffalo, Ny
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
A consolidated, designated church building is the only practical way for several hundred people to come together and meet in one place.
Sure, if you have like, 25 smaller groups in the "several hundred". I don't see that happening around me anytime soon, lol.
 
B

brakelite

Guest
I have looked into many online sites, not necessarily to find a denominational bias, but just good sound simple Christian teaching. A NZ compatriot (Hamilton) of mine who I have met a couple of times and had in my home here in Melbourne is the head honcho of award winning https://www.itiswritten.com/ based in Chattanooga. Sure, it is Adventist, but doesn't focus on Adventist doctrine alone, but covers all aspects of Christian living. For those unable or unprepared for a local church, I do absolutely recommend him... John Bradshaw. Worth a look.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mayflower

Mayflower

Well-Known Member
Jul 14, 2018
7,820
11,768
113
Bluffton
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Hi Mayflower-I was heavily involved with children's work in a number of churches I went to , but I am intrigued that the church you visit excites you and inspires you to study. The first church you are giving out , but not recieving , hence why you perhaps feel burned out.The latter sounds as if it has the potential to ' feed you, to take in ' which In turn will enable you to give out. We need the balance of both things. Xx
Rita

I would love to just serve at one and take in at the other...but I am unsure if I would be allowed now. Afraid to ask...even just to sit in the children's class and learn how to be an effective teacher. Help where I can. I have a heart for ministry. But I need to take in 10 times as much as I give out of God's Word.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Heart2Soul