Misunderstanding of God's Word
- Sadly ... most believers don't know God's Word. They think their doctorates and Bible teachings by man are correct. And I'm laughed to scorn when I tell them the Holy Spirit only taught me the Word. I, too, have been in countless churches which flat out corrupt God's Word. I love the fact that they throw Hebrews 10:25 in your face and say it's referring to "going to church" and your in sin when you don't. When, in fact, Hebrews 10:25 refers to Acts 2:42 ... um, no mention of any church there. Take the word "church" ... anyone really know what that word means? In the NT Jesus said to Peter in Matthew 16 "key to the church." The word church in the Greek is "called out," that's it, simple ... and it's the same Greek word in the whole NT. I can go on but in closing ... the believer IS the "church" or "called out." You can have church in your house or just in the park. Remember, Jesus says "when 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, I am there in the midst." Bottomline ... after 200 AD, man put the world's system in the church.
- —Guest Phil Mac
Why We Don't "Attend" Church
- We have attended church in the past, but we feel like we don't "fit" anywhere. We prefer simple fellowship and informal connection and prayer with other friends who are biblical believers. It has not been an attempt to separate ourselves - it is a season in our life knowing that going to a building once or twice a week does not constitute the organic New Testament fellowship. Millions are in this place in their lives right now.
- —Guest D
No Edification
- We are to edify one another. When you have taught Sunday School for nine years, you know it is time to move on up to an adult class, or even bring a message, but you are told to stay put because that’s where God wants you, then the pastor's daughter wants the Sunday School, and my days of teaching are over. I, not my pastor, knows what God has called me to do. I see no edification here at all, only discouragement.
- —Guest Tina
What Church Did Jesus Go To?
- I understand peoples traditions and how they were raised, and if they want to attend church and be sincere, I can respect that. But busy bodies and trouble makers that cause problems are another problem. Basing going to church on one verse, Hebrews 10:25, is dogmatic to me, very narrow minded. God instructs people in different ways. We all differ. Jesus himself said the traditions of man void the power of God. I'm wrong about things as we all are, but I've come to see church the way I've been treated by members. It's an over exaggerated social event. Stop trying to fit in. Jesus never fit in. He threatened the jobs of the religious leaders with the truth, and they didn't like it. I don't get into mindless arguments because there's no point in arguing with people that are narrow minded.
- —Guest adam
We Are the Body
- We are all made up of one body. I have been to many different churches but never have felt as comfortable and spiritual as the one I have in my own home every Wednesday night! My husband and I invite people into our home and if no one shows up then we still have service with our children. We pay our tithes and rejoice in his name every single day. We also witness and encourage others to follow Christ. The Lord has brought together two very spiritual people (my husband and I), and now we proclaim it to the world as we are meant to do. Amen.
- —Guest ashley
Pain and Hurt
- Too much hurt. Pastors that are in adultery, no depth, no leadership, no humility...stand in the pulpit and tell you they are humble -- really? They are involved in ministry without support, carrying burdens with no support, why go? I don't need this. I pray, worship, listen to Christian radio teaching, study the Bible.
- —Guest ChristFollower
Strike Me Dead
- The day the pastor preached that his buddy left the church and then died of a heart attack two weeks later, is the day I left the church. To preach such a ridiculous thing is manipulation. Well I've been gone for five years now serving the Lord where He directs and I'm not dead yet.
- —Guest Georgio
Money
- Churches demand a tithe. Funny I've never been led to tithe anything to a church. But to my son's grade school, I give generously to the breakfast program as led by the Lord.
- —Guest Cathy
I Can Serve the Lord Anywhere
- I've been caught up in the "bless the Lord, I'd better be at church every Sunday morning or the guilt will kick in" scenario way too many times. I have come to realize that church has been made into a golf and country club membership style. If you don't do this or that then you don't belong, and you better have the money to give to be able to go. If you don't....shame on you. I am quite happy to announce that I am serving our Lord everyday where he leads me and that could be out in the middle of the street during a snowstorm if it meant I would be helping someone. This Christian is truly blessed!
- —Guest Manda
Something is Wrong
- I don't go to church anymore because I believe there is too much corruption. I believe the gospel is true, but it's evident that something is wrong with the way the church is doing things: pastors using witchcraft to control people, abusing kids, others power hungry, greedy for fans and money.
- —Guest Kelly
Jesus Didn't Go to Church
- Isn't the church us? And where does it say we have to go to church? Jesus did not go to church. He did not have a church.
- —redladynay
Glaring Discrepancies or Omissions
- I don't fit in. I want the sacraments and the gifts, but have to be denied one or the other if I am to worship with others. Maybe it's because I have an undisciplined nature and don't get the importance of programs, fund raisers, bake sales and guilds. Or why they insist that women read shallow books in Sunday School that a 4 year old could understand. I can't reconcile myself to accepting church as a social club, I don't know where to draw the line. I want to worship God in the congregation of the church of the Firstborn. I think it's me but is it? It's all so confusing. I just cast my cares upon Jesus and pray His grace is sufficient for me. What else can I do? I'm so tired of looking. I don't belong. Am I rejected in the eyes of God since I don't fit into any churches I can find? Jesus healed the blind beggar, perhaps he'll heal me too.
- —Guest M.R.
Lousy Leadership
- I don't like the leadership at my church: my pastor is a coward who isn't on fire for Christ, so he gives boring, drawn-out, literally pointless (or at least I don't get it) sermons that neither convict nor encourage me, and my Sunday School teacher is a simpleton with half the IQ (or is it wisdom?) of my wife and I, and he hates it if we interject with observations on the lesson that are more insightful than his own. My brethren at the church are great, but the leadership is lousy. It's *very* difficult for me to get myself up early on Sunday mornings (I already have to do that for *work*) just to go listen to superficial blather. I hear better preaching and teaching on Christian radio.
- —Guest TheKnowerseeker
Put Off By Idolatry
- I spent most of adult life as a Quaker and find peace in the simplicity of meeting. However, I feel neglected when in crisis, and feel like many who attend meetings do not reach out in a human fashion to others in the meeting. I have looked for a church, but it seems so much focus in on biblical study and participation in mindless ritual that inner Christian life, including struggles with one's own prejudices and imperfection, is lost. I want to sing for joy and sadness, I want to frown at ritual, I want to work with like-minded persons to better the community and provide support for each other. What church meets those requirements? I haven't found one and will continue to look.
- —Guest Karine
I Have to Work
- I work in the pharmacy and I love my job very much. My problem is we are open Monday to Sunday. On Sunday we close at 13H, and my church starts at 11H and goes to 13H. I only get the weekend off once in a month.
- —Guest kelebogile
