I haven’t been to church in a long time.

[Rylan Moffitt]

And because of that, I feel guilty. Should I be guilty?

 

[prism]

And because of that, I feel guilty. Should I be guilty?

Feeling guilty and being guilty are not necessarily the same. You may 'feel' guilty for not attending Church in a long time, but if you are in Christ your status is 'not guilty' and that should make you want to go to Church whether you feel guilty or not.

 

[Deborah_]

And because of that, I feel guilty. Should I be guilty?

It depends on the reason why you haven't been to church.
There are some perfectly legitimate reasons for not attending a church:
1) There is a lockdown and the churches aren't open (but most of them are doing something online - are you taking part?)
2) I am confined to my house by illness or disability (but are you connected to other local Christians who can help you and pray for you?)
3) There is no meeting at a time that I can attend because of work or other commitments (so consider changing your timetable)

There are also some 'bad' reasons:
1) There is no local church good enough for me
2) There is no local church whose doctrinal teaching perfectly matches my beliefs
3) Someone at my last church upset or abused me (abuse is a good reason for leaving a church - but no excuse for not eventually finding another one)

 

[mjrhealth]

And because of that, I feel guilty. Should I be guilty?

Nope, thats from the enemy Himself, he would rather you be religious than pursue after the one that is the truth Jesus Christ, the more you chase after Jesus the more he will fight you. Look at Job.

 

[marksman]

And because of that, I feel guilty. Should I be guilty?

First, you have to define what you mean by church? In today's understanding or what is in scripture. So let me give you a clue. In scripture, it says where two or three are gathered together in my name there I am in the midst. That is a basic church approved by God. In today's understanding it means going to a meeting every Sunday morning to sing a few songs, have what is called communion, and listen to someone tell you what he thinks is a good sermon. In scripture, they met every day in some form or another. Today we usually meet once a week. In scripture, they get down to the nitty-gritty of living. Today we say "how are you" and the person replies "fine." like two ships passing in the night.

So ask yourself, which one you are referring to and which one you would like to be part of?

 

[mjrhealth]

In today's understanding it means going to a meeting every Sunday morning to sing a few songs, have what is called communion, and listen to someone tell you what he thinks is a good sermon. In scripture, they met every day in some form or another. Today we usually meet once a week. In scripture, they get down to the nitty-gritty of living. Today we say "how are you" and the person replies "fine." like two ships passing in the night.

Thats christan misunderstanding, can be anywhere talking to anyone about Christ and HE will be there, Christ is all we need.

 

[2 Chr. 34:19]

And because of that, I feel guilty. Should I be guilty?

Me neither. Maybe it’s for our benefit, if the teaching is dodgy. I’m a guilty person, but don’t feel guilty about this. I do miss church though

 

[theophilus]

All believers are members of one body and each of us is given spiritual gifts that are to be used for the benefit of the whole body. We can't help other members of the body or received the help we need from then without contact. That is we are commanded to assemble together. In Acts, wherever Paul preached the gospels he established churches so his converts could meet together and act as a single body. For some it might be impossible to find a good church to have fellowship with other Christians, but if you can attend a good church you must do so.

 

[2 Chr. 34:19]

It depends on the reason why you haven't been to church.
There are some perfectly legitimate reasons for not attending a church:
1) There is a lockdown and the churches aren't open (but most of them are doing something online - are you taking part?)
2) I am confined to my house by illness or disability (but are you connected to other local Christians who can help you and pray for you?)
3) There is no meeting at a time that I can attend because of work or other commitments (so consider changing your timetable)

There are also some 'bad' reasons:
1) There is no local church good enough for me
2) There is no local church whose doctrinal teaching perfectly matches my beliefs
3) Someone at my last church upset or abused me (abuse is a good reason for leaving a church - but no excuse for not eventually finding another one)

What if the doctrine contradicts the early church of The Bible? What if the leaders are lying to the laity, procuring tithes under false pretense (Ananias & Saphira) having extra-marital affairs-leading youth astray? What if we give our resources & time to that church-are we accountable to The Lord when we allow ourselves to be deceived? Rant over :)

 

[historyb]

And because of that, I feel guilty. Should I be guilty?

Naw, now you are under orders from God as are all Christians to go, now you may have to do it online though I don't know if where you lie allows Church or not.

 

[theophilus]

What if the doctrine contradicts the early church of The Bible? What if the leaders are lying to the laity, procuring tithes under false pretense (Ananias & Saphira) having extra-marital affairs-leading youth astray? What if we give our resources & time to that church-are we accountable to The Lord when we allow ourselves to be deceived? Rant over :)

These are good reasons for not attending a specific church but we are commanded to attend church if it is possible for us to do so. We also need to keep in mind that no church is perfect.

 

[mjrhealth]

commanded to attend church i

Jesus never demanded any one attend church all He ever did was ask men to follow Him and so few are willing.

 

[Josho]

It depends on the reason why you haven't been to church.
There are some perfectly legitimate reasons for not attending a church:
1) There is a lockdown and the churches aren't open (but most of them are doing something online - are you taking part?)
2) I am confined to my house by illness or disability (but are you connected to other local Christians who can help you and pray for you?)
3) There is no meeting at a time that I can attend because of work or other commitments (so consider changing your timetable)

There are also some 'bad' reasons:
1) There is no local church good enough for me
2) There is no local church whose doctrinal teaching perfectly matches my beliefs
3) Someone at my last church upset or abused me (abuse is a good reason for leaving a church - but no excuse for not eventually finding another one)

Local Churches.

There was a time when we traveled 1 and a half hours to get to Church, and that wasn't too far.

@marksman would know all about local Churches in Australia, in Australia sometimes you gotta travel long distances to go to the place you are meant to go to.

Coober Pedy was just up the road for my dad, back when we were living in Stirling North near Port Augusta while I was a toddler , I have been to an underground Aussie Church, very exciting.

 

[Prayer Warrior]

And because of that, I feel guilty. Should I be guilty?

It depends on what you mean by going to church. The modern version of this, which is going to a building we call a church every Sunday morning and doing certain things (usually singing and hearing a sermon preached) is not what the New Testament believers did. Someone mentioned that they met daily in people's houses. They even broke bread together daily. I'm not condemning the practice of "going to church" on Sundays if God directs you to do this, but it's not the only way to do church.

I believe that the key is to meet with other believers regularly and have fellowship. If you're a young Christian, it's a good idea to meet with more mature Christians who are well-versed in the Bible. Also, I believe that all of the gifts of the Spirit are still valid today, and God uses these gifts as we fellowship together in order to bless us and edify us....

As far as feeling guilty, I pray that God will give you wisdom about this. The main thing you need to do is find out what God wants you to do (whether to attend a specific church) and then do what he shows you. There is such a thing as false guilt, which is really condemnation from the devil. We are told in Romans 8 that there is "no condemnation for those who are in Christi Jesus." The way that I tell the difference is that true guilt or conviction of the Holy Spirit is very specific and doesn't feel hopeless because He shows me what to do about it. Condemnation is a more general feeling and to me feels hopeless, like I can't do anything about it....
.

 

[Josho]

@Rylan Moffitt

No need to feel guilty Rylan, I see your profile says you are from Tennessee, my dad, grandpa, grandma, great grandpas, great grandmas, great greats, were born in Tennessee on dad's side of the family, great grandpa was a Methodist circuit preacher.

Anyway I am sure you will find something there in the Bible belt state of Tennessee.

 

[bbyrd009]

And because of that, I feel guilty. Should I be guilty?

your gatherings do more harm than good

so imo "no"

 

[2 Chr. 34:19]

These are good reasons for not attending a specific church but we are commanded to attend church if it is possible for us to do so. We also need to keep in mind that no church is perfect.

The early church was, that’s why The Lord added to their number daily. (Until The hierarchies ruined it). I reckon it lasted approx. 10 years :). That’s what I’m looking for, nothing less will do. Wasted too much time in churches that live and practice a lie (as I did)

 

[marksman]

Local Churches.

There was a time when we traveled 1 and a half hours to get to Church, and that wasn't too far.

@marksman would know all about local Churches in Australia, in Australia sometimes you gotta travel long distances to go to the place you are meant to go to.

Coober Pedy was just up the road for my dad, back when we were living in Stirling North near Port Augusta while I was a toddler , I have been to an underground Aussie Church, very exciting.

Lucky you.

 

[marksman]

What if the doctrine contradicts the early church of The Bible? What if the leaders are lying to the laity, procuring tithes under false pretense (Ananias & Saphira) having extra-marital affairs-leading youth astray? What if we give our resources & time to that church-are we accountable to The Lord when we allow ourselves to be deceived? Rant over :)

I enjoyed your rant because it is mostly true.

 

[marksman]

your gatherings do more harm than good

so imo "no"

I wonder if church meetings do anything other than reinforcing the status quo which generally achieves nothing other than making people feel that they have done their bit and therefore they do not need to put any effort into changing the world.