Is church necessary?

[Mish2A]

[CPRAFAN]

Depends - some churches are run by manginas and throw the men under the bus. Mark Driscoll is one of the worst - he loves to insult the men in his congregation, from what I've heard. For more info on this, google "Dalrock blog" and read some of the info on the current church idiocy on "servant leadership" and complementiarian doctrine. I know a few preachers who look out for men in the land of divorce lawyers aka USA. They are willing to do no marriage license weddings, religious wedding only. If you want to get married, this is the best chance you have to avoid alimony and divorce rape by the high priced divorce lawyer$. If the priest or preacher demands you get a marriage license - leave ASAP. Watch "DivorceCorp trailer" on Youtube for more info. Try to find a church that doesn't treat men like toilet paper or insult you to your face and tell you to grovel to shrews and nagathas. Not easy to do.

Commenter Sam Obispo: "For post-wall women, church is where they exchange their expired "cock carousel season pass" for access to the "graduates" of the "beta-male provider academy. Men should be as attracted to "former" carousel riders as women are attracted to former millionaires. A woman would never forgive a potential mate for wasting his fortune (meaning: spending it on other women), so a man should not forgive a potential mate for wasting her virtue (on every other man.) "

[billvau]

Yes, it is AND it's the best place to work through this with the help of others. Being part of a church is so fundamental to New Testament Christianity that is assumed throughout. But, it's not only assumed but encouraged, commanded, etc. (e.g. Heb. 13:17; Heb 10:24-25; Ephesians 4:11-16, etc.).

I'd speak privately with your Pastor first and have him help you through this time- both personally and with your church. Breaking off an engagement is not sin and Christ wants to use other Christians to support you.

God bless,

[libertyordeath]

Yes, it is AND it's the best place to work through this with the help of others. Being part of a church is so fundamental to New Testament Christianity that is assumed throughout. But, it's not only assumed but encouraged, commanded, etc. (e.g. Heb. 13:17; Heb 10:24-25; Ephesians 4:11-16, etc.).

I'd speak privately with your Pastor first and have him help you through this time- both personally and with your church. Breaking off an engagement is not sin and Christ wants to use other Christians to support you.

God bless,

This, what I've Learned from my walk with God and teachings is that we don't only go to church to get fed but to help other brothers in tough times and share are trails and Victories to help grow. You can help and be helped by others going through and gone through the same trails.

So yes please continue going do not get cold because satan and his demons are ready to seize any opportunity.

[orangeusa]

It is up to you. Sounds like you need a break. Heck, you might want to go to another Church and let them know you are "available".

Little old Church ladies LOVE to set folks up...

[Garand Hunter]

Fellowship among other believers is my only reason for the " go to church " attitude I have interacted with all of my adult life. Searching the scriptures myself thru out my life as keep me abreast of the life force God puts within us as we walk with Him all thru our lives. Two years in the army in Ft Ord CA and in Germany while 22 and 23 yrs old showed my own desire to stay with my faith away from the home church. Fellowship was rare but I found it when I looked for it. Yes continue in fellowship where it works, where it has hangups consider looking for it as you pray over it.

Another thing I learned and recognized over time, pastors who worked regular jobs were much closer to life for real among the church goers in life issues. Of course when the church grows larger and larger that will change as needed.

Psalm 1

[Rizzo]

No, it is not necessary.
You do not have to be in church to " Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."
For some, sitting quietly at home with eyes closed and having a "conversation" with God (prayer) is more beneficial than in an environment (church) that is distracting with noisy people going on.

But, some folks make it a social event as well, so whatever makes you comfortable and helps you spiritually.
No "hard" rule there about "having" to go to church.

[RAMCLAP]

If you are a Christian you need to be in Church. God has given you gifts to share with with the brothers and sisters. Not to hoard for yourself. Being a Christian is a verb. Not a mental excercise.

Hebrews 10:25
not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

Hebrews 13:7
Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.


Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God

[CVShooter]

God never went to church. Jesus went to Synagogue. There was that time he went to temple but things didn't end so well after that. The disciples stopped going to synagogue and started their own thing. Some still went to the temple on occasion. The protestants quit going to mass at some point.

Religion MUST be done with a community of people in some way, shape or form. I wouldn't get too hung up on how that is done so much as that it is done. Church is just an easy, pre-packaged way to do that. Just plug and play rather than constantly checking schedules with a handful of friends.

[RAMCLAP]

Jesus said "My Church". He has a Church. If you are His you should be there. Tha Apostles had Church. No, it wasn't a specific building but it was Church. And since they were given the "Binding, and Loosing" clause and said we're doing Church, Christians should do church. It is an order.

[billvau]

God never went to church. Jesus went to Synagogue. There was that time he went to temple but things didn't end so well after that. The disciples stopped going to synagogue and started their own thing. Some still went to the temple on occasion. The protestants quit going to mass at some point.

Religion MUST be done with a community of people in some way, shape or form. I wouldn't get too hung up on how that is done so much as that it is done. Church is just an easy, pre-packaged way to do that. Just plug and play rather than constantly checking schedules with a handful of friends.

[Wordupmybrotha]

Is going to church necessary for a Christian if you are still fellowshipping with people?
Recently broke off my engagement and I don’t want to talk about it with people at church. So I’ve been considering taking a break from church for a while. What are some thoughts?

Yes, go to church.
And don't be a wuss. If you don't want to talk about it, then don't talk about it.

[CVShooter]

Pastor, you know chapter and verse very well. But you miss the obvious. Did Jesus have a church when he spent a month in the wilderness? What about John when he was exiled? Did the Jews have a synagogue while exiled in Persia or Babylon? How about Paul as he wandered around trying to convert Gentiles? When Paul and Barnabus sat in prison, who was the pastor? What about the conflicts between Paul and the original disciples that led them to that prison in the first place -- was Paul operating outside the operational boundaries of the "real" church?

OP - beware conflicts of interest. An insurance salesman will always tell you that you need insurance.

One of the best Christians I know spent his free time helping people and testifying to how much his faith meant to him. He lived the faith better than anybody I've ever met who didn't earn a living from it. He quit going to church years before we met because, as he looked around Jerusalem, he didn't see a single church that LIVED the faith by actually helping others, rather than just doing church stuff (ceremony, reading the Bible, etc.). So he devoted his spare time to helping people rather than showing up for church. Best darned Christian I've ever met.

But that's a lot of hard work that few people have the patience and time for. Church is easy. But don't ever let church get in the way of your faith. And if you need a break from church, take one.

[WASR10]

[RAMCLAP]

Pastor, you know chapter and verse very well. But you miss the obvious. Did Jesus have a church when he spent a month in the wilderness? What about John when he was exiled? Did the Jews have a synagogue while exiled in Persia or Babylon? How about Paul as he wandered around trying to convert Gentiles? When Paul and Barnabus sat in prison, who was the pastor? What about the conflicts between Paul and the original disciples that led them to that prison in the first place -- was Paul operating outside the operational boundaries of the "real" church?

OP - beware conflicts of interest. An insurance salesman will always tell you that you need insurance.

One of the best Christians I know spent his free time helping people and testifying to how much his faith meant to him. He lived the faith better than anybody I've ever met who didn't earn a living from it. He quit going to church years before we met because, as he looked around Jerusalem, he didn't see a single church that LIVED the faith by actually helping others, rather than just doing church stuff (ceremony, reading the Bible, etc.). So he devoted his spare time to helping people rather than showing up for church. Best darned Christian I've ever met.

But that's a lot of hard work that few people have the patience and time for. Church is easy. But don't ever let church get in the way of your faith. And if you need a break from church, take one.

Yes, the Jews had synagogs while in captivity in Babylon and the Persian Empire. And the Greek, and Roman Empires. It's why Paul could be a Pharisee from Tarsus. Jesus did indeed speak in all of the synagogs throuout the Decapolis. That includes Damascus. So, yes. Church.