Is it still necessary to attend church since we can receive the gospel online?

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amadeus

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Are we filled with and following the Holy Spirit? Are we all being led along precisely the same pathway to precisely the same place?
 

marks

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What say you?
Should you go to the supermarket, buy fresh natural foods, and prepare nutritious meals at home, OR is it OK to just go to McDonald's?

What say you?

Much love!
 

Jane_Doe22

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What say you?
A lesson covid has taught: physical in-person interaction is important, and does indeed foster relationship that online can only mimic.

Having those physical interactions with other believers is indeed important and you should indeed attend in-person church (under normal circumstances). Obviously the pandemic does complicate the logestical side of things right now.
 

marks

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A lesson covid has taught: physical in-person interaction is important, and does indeed foster relationship that online can only mimic.

Having those physical interactions with other believers is indeed important and you should indeed attend in-person church (under normal circumstances). Obviously the pandemic does complicate the logestical side of things right now.
Does it ever!!

I thank God for the online fellowship I have here. It's not like being with people. But still this helps me a lot. I also thank God for a Godly wife!

Much love!
 
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Pearl

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I miss the hugs and the fellowship and the communal worship and sharing when I don't go to church. It is lovely to 'meet' on here but not as good as a real meeting with everybody enjoying God in real time.
 
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CharismaticLady

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Ditto...I will not be going back to the country club. Even though I do believe the pastors are sincere...I get no fellowship and all there is, is milk.

Yes, when the sign out front of the church says, "Go Titans", and never a word about Jesus, who can even tell it is a church? It saddens my heart. :(
 
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Nancy

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Yes, when the sign out front of the church says, "Go Titans", and never a word about Jesus, who can even tell it is a church? It saddens my heart. :(

Saddens my heart also. Makes it way tougher to find true fellowship too. They come, listen and sing songs for an hour then...poof, they are gone, just like that. The Church I had been attending pre-covid is quite sound in their teachings, yet...there is SO MUCH MORE to the bible than the same things over and over again. We get our teaching from the Holy Spirit anyway. I just do not like forsaking the gathering but, looking at the back of people's heads (those who you will probably never even know!) And, being dismissed from the service is not fellowship or gathering of the brethren.
 
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historyb

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What say you?

For evangelicals, non denoms, and other such no. For those who partake of the Holy Eucharist Church is essential to life itself. The Eucharist is not just breaking bread, it is Christ Himself and that cannot be had at home ever
 
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JohnDB

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Something about praying with others earnestly...

And the sound of a few thousand people all singing a song perfectly together very happily...

Can't find that anywhere else.
 

Ziggy

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I've never been a social person. You might say I'm a hermit.
I've been to churches of different denominations from time to time, but never a member of a particular one.
I was born a Catholic and became a Baptist when I was around 17.
I guess you could say I've been sprinkled and dunked.
My church are the people who Believe Jesus is our Lord.
I suppose that includes a lot of different ideoligies.
But then again the body is made up of many members.
Not all are the hand or the foot or the ear or the eye.
Having said that..
I see a time in the near future where our faith is going to be extremely tried.
People are being persecuted here and around the world for their beliefs.
And it's much easier to be attacked if your in a party of 1.
Paul told us not to forske the assembling of ourselves together as we see the day approaching,
because there is more security and power in numbers.
For me thats a difficult thing to do.
So I find solace and friendship in gatherings in places like this.
Even though in some aspects I feel physical numbers are important,
I believe the spiritual connection from whatever corner of the earth your on is much more powerful.
So on this question I would have to say I'm on both sides of the fence.
The Lord knows what each of us need and will direct us in whatever way is best for each individual and circumstance.
Even though Paul was in prison for many years of his ministry he always felt that spiritual connection to the church.
Hugs
 
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BeauJangles

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For evangelicals, non denoms, and other such no. For those who partake of the Holy Eucharist Church is essential to life itself. The Eucharist is not just breaking bread, it is Christ Himself and that cannot be had at home ever
Just a quick comment and I'll quietly slip away. When gatherings established during the first century, groups often joined in smaller congregational settings such as individual follower's home dwellings. I would surmise they also felt the leading of the Holy Spirit and numbers grew to consider themselves a permanent church. Perhaps elsewhere besides homes then, but there were times when these meetings had to remain hidden from persecution.

Roman oppression was still evident and these Christians did suffer immensely for their faith in Jesus. The more outspoken such as the ones ministering the streets were easily spotted and often arrested on the spot. It certainly wasn't an easy time to find salvation, much less live an open life for Christ. I don't envy this time period but for the dynamic way the Spirit was moving during these early years. Holy Communion was held in such places as they were able.

That being said, I personally feel those who cannot attend a traditional church and congregational setting must do so where it is available to them. Living in a nursing facility such as I have had to do during the present for recuperation, have those willing to bring the sacraments come to us from the traditional places to partake of it. I have asked our sisters who had been commissioned by a monsenior in the representation of the church to administer them to me.

Though not of the Catholic faith, they were willing to do so simply because it was not available to me any other way. Do I understand the concepts of the doctrine? Yes, absolutely, but I do not adhere to Catholocism. Yet I received it. I was told none truly believing in Jesus as Saviour and Lord are turned away if they request this of them. I was very grateful to them and it was bestowed upon me a blessing. I found this to be an edifying experience to have been accepted by them.
 
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historyb

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Though not of the Catholic faith, they were willing to do so simply because it was not available to me any other way. Do I understand the concepts of the doctrine? Yes, absolutely, but I do not adhere to Catholocism. Yet I received it. I was told none truly believing in Jesus as Saviour and Lord are turned away if they request this of them. I was very grateful to them and it was bestowed upon me a blessing. I found this to be an editing experience to have been accepted by them.

That is nice. I am not Catholic either
 

dev553344

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What say you?

I've been in counseling for decades now because of a condition I have. My counselor, who is a conservative Christian, would definitely say Church attendance is a good thing that can help people with social skills. It's important for people not to isolate socially, and I'm not sure forums can take the place of in-person socializing.

I attended church for 10 years, and then got hurt and left church, and got online and found that I still needed church. So now I'm re-connecting, although the COVID problem is kinda in the way right now.
 
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