if you’re going according to the Word, it says to not forsake assembling together with other Believers i.e. church, cause there is strength gained from a corporate setting of faith and power that comes when you gather together to fellowship that way. with that being said, i think the face of church as usual is changing though. i think God is moving in ways in addition to traditional church settings as well. the church is moving from the four walls to things like the internet, in home groups and other types of gatherings. as Christians we are the church. the thing is to understand the concept of church and differentiate between the corporate gathering as a means to learn, fellowship, and get taught the Word vs. BEING the church or the Body of Christ, which operates in the power. the five-fold ministry was established for a reason, so we do need to come together to be taught the Word, edified, corrected, etc. but then you have to take that knowledge out of the four walls and allow it to impact the world. that’s what real church is.

reasons i think people don’t attend church:
1- judgmenatalism – not feeling loved at church, it being cold
2- all religious show and no power
3- feeling disconnected from what percieve Christianity to be
4 – not understanding the value in attending church as part of spiritual growth
5 – not getting any understanding about how to apply the Bible to their lives so why go?
6 – the church has become entertainment rather than something people actually get something out of
7 – most churches don’t address the real issues people go through and how to get out of their situations

Suz, what do you say to people who believe that God is in them and they don’t need another person to teach them? Just wondering…

I attend church, not because I feel obligated to, but because it always keeps my head on straight and brings life into perspective for me. I do understand, however, the stigma that is attached to church and Christians. The idea that most Christians are fake and judemental. That they are quick to create a set of rules of people that they themselves aren’t willing to follow.

But like you said, Suz…I totally think that there comes a time when people in the church stop focusing on the church name, denomination, the building, the pastor, etc…and realize that WE ARE THE CHURCH. And the true test of your faith begins when you leave the walls of the church and conduct everyday life.

I think church is neccessary…..however..like you said TPrissy the congregation makes the “chruch” and ministry should not be limited to just the inside of the building. I think that many people have been turned off from going to church because they see how things should be in the church and they hear the word during the service, but when they go outside the church and they encounter the same people who they look to as leaders in the church….they see that they are not living according to what was taught in the church.

Fab – I couldn’t agree more. Having grown up in the church while also having many friends that do not attend church, sometimes it leaves me asking “why”? It was like, back in the day your parents (well mine) made you go to church. You coukdn’t go out nowhere and then talk about you not going to church. That was unheard of. Nowadays it’s more common that people don’t go to church than do, it’s like the significance of God and His word has been lost.

What can the church do to bring more people into the fold?

me personally, you really don’t need to attend church to be closer to got. church is just a place where you can worship with others. you also have to have a relationship with god

because most are starting to realize that church is a big business and they can learn what they need themselves at home

@priss- to answer the question, I would say to presume that u don’t need someone to teach u is prideful at the very least. None of us know it all. learning spiritual things is like learning natural things. Otherwise, why go to school? We all need to learn in order to grow to the next level. That’s the purpose of the pastor, teacher, etc…

Church was design for mankind to be on 1 accord with God, since biblical day’s people went to temples to offer sacrifices to the (priest) now in time is the pastor for forgivness or blessings. The element is you are the only 1 who can ask God for his help are forgivness, people now are being mislead by false prophets . Some have been run off by the judgemental saints of christ, first of all people come to church looking for that spiritual guidance not to be critizied about there faults. Money is being discussed too much in church which leds people to believe this might be a scam are another institute set up to take my money. We all know churchs are tax free and truth be told is a multi million dollar industry. To be christ like is to lead by example and when people come to church looking for that alot of cases they don’t see that, so for them it’s hard to believe this is real. We suppose to go to church for the leadership and guidance to become like christ, once this example is followed more will see God is real but it start’s at the church…keep that in mind don’t let people see you in the club saturday but talking about praise the lord sunday…smh…what ashame how far we feel from the graces of God.

@priss – to answer your other question, the answer to bringing more people into the fold is simple – be like Jesus. not what we think He is, what He REALLY is. Christians need to master that. Love is powerful and attractive..

You ask why don’t people attend church? I think sometimes because they’ve heard it all before. If the pastor has “exhausted” the revelation he has I think folks get bored. I also think people are tired of going “to church”. They want to “be the church.” If your local congregation doesn’t allow for that folks are deceived into going it alone. I’ve had phases in my life where i had “church” with just a few close friends studying my bible and praying A LOT. Looking back it represents some of the greatest moments of spiritual growth I’ve ever experienced. The bottom line is God tells us to assemble for a reason. There is much to be said for a corporate experience and a sense of community and support. So many other reasons too: Hypocrisy, whack music…etc. etc.

Cinematix – I completely agree. Some people think that the mere act of attending church will make them righteous and that they “earn points” with God by doing do. Sooooooo far from the truth. And the adverse effect of this mentality is that when you don’t go to church, you in turn feel that God doesn’t love you and is not pleased with you. Church for me has little to do with me feeling like God is pleased with me for going, but more about attending to receive wisdom and understanding greater than that which I already have.

Nireb – I agree that church can definitely be big business. But in one sense, that’s to be expected especially with the sizes ministries have grown to now, this becomes an issue when the leaders of those ministries abuse the fact. But Jesus was in big business. Judas was his treasurer. Not sure of anybody without a business that has a treasurer. But his business was about getting the word and salvation of God out to as many people as possible. Jesus taught, but more importantly he was taught. Even he sat in the synagaugues and learned from the priests of that day. Who are we to think we’re above it?

Ty – I totally agree that we go to church for leadership and guidnace. It’s a way of remaining humble and somewhat admitting that we don’t know it all. People these days think that just because they can find an article on the internet or because they go to school and get degrees, that all of a sudden they don’t have to submit to higher spiritual authorities and information.

Suz – Great point. Why is it okay to go to school to learn natural principles for operating in specific crafts, but its not okay to go to church to learn spiritual principles for operating according to the Kingdom of God??

PurpleSky – Agreed. A lot of people get tired of doing stuff in church without real understand and spiritual perception for why it is being done. And a lot of churches do stuff out of habit and religion vs. doing things a certain way b/c that’s the way God told them to do it. Because I grew up in church I’ve gone through the “i’m over church” phase a few times. Sometimes you get tired of the performing and you just want a genuine connection with God that only comes from personal relationship and experience.

People do not attend church because they don’t have a full understanding of what the church is for. The image of Christianity and religion has been tainted so much that people really feel they can do it on their own. They don’t want a stealing, cheating, nasty preacher telling them what to do. And they don’t want to deal with hypocritical church folks judging them. If people get in their minds that the church is for edifying, correction, uplifting, teaching, and totally about relationship they will get their minds off of the people and stuff that goes on. Some good some bad but peoples focus is not on God so any excuse will be used to not go. If your heart is involved you will want to go, and you will want to serve and be with the people in fellowship.

I think people feel it’s okay to go to school to learn, but attending church is different, is because of one simple but major difference. Language, Math and Science are all tangible and conclusive disciplines. English is English no matter where you go. Math is math and is universal. Science is Science.

There are about 20 different major religions in the world and those can be broken up into hundreds of other subsets just based off of varying denominations and interpretations. I mean, on any given Sunday, every church in Atlanta could be teaching the same topic and all would have their own spin or interpretation of it. So, one could say that after you’ve learned the basics of the Bible in Christianity, everything else is just one particular minister’s or churches’ interpretation of some part of the Bible. So, there wouldn’t be any “new” acquired knowledge in that sense. You’d just be hearing that church’s interpretation of something.

And some people would rather seek their own interpretations as they feel God speaks to them, rather than sit through someone else’s that may or may not even be correct.

IMO, that’s the main reason.

The unfortunate thing about natural learning and education, even while conclusive, is that it represents fact but never truth. Not that anyone on the post alluded to the contrary, just a point. That said, while facts need to be learned, truth has to be learned in the same way. And in the same way you would go to someone appointed to learn facts, you would do the same regarding truth. Noone sits around and just comes up with facts and acts as if they are definitive (well, I’m sure there are some that do). But for the most part it is rooted in our understanding that when you want to learn more about a thing, you go to a more expereinced and knowledgeable person to do so.

The thing is, people don’t respect things they can’t see. People treat spiritual principles as if they are “lesser than”, and then as a result feel like they are superior to the rules that govern spirituality. The idea of “i don’t need a man to tell me ‘his’ interpretation of God, I can figure it out on my own” is a prime example and defies spiritual laws in the highest degree. Now, if you’re saying that you completely don’t beleive and God and the Bible…then I totally get it. But if you say you’re a Christian and believe in God, but yet defy the principles that govenr Christianity….that’s where things get sketchy for me.

I don’t judge people for the things that they do/don’t do…to each his own and when we have a highler level of understanding we do better.

Okay…this is a great question. Interesting points of view from everyone.
I definitely think church adds a balance to my life but its not my social fix. Being miles away from home I can honestly say I miss going to church. I think church is awesome. A word based church is a great place to go to get answers, to praise and worship God, healing, hope, encouragement, food and other resources. Its just that simple for me.

While I know that many people may feel, judged or its about your relationship with God. I def feel that as well but there are some great churches out there and sometimes they get a bad rap.

I was never really raised in the church. So as I an adult I never saw the reason to go to church.

I think people don’t attend church because they get tired of the “b.s.” excuse the expression. They get tired of going through the motions, doing things that they are being taught and not seeing any results. They are so used to right now and when they don’t see results right now, they get discouraged and they take that out on the church. Some people get tired of church because of hypocrites: people who say one thing and do something totally different. You hear walk in love or love your neighbor but SOME of those same people are quick to judge and distance themselves from that they don’t understand. People also get tired of going to church because they have been hurt. They have put the Pastor or his/her leaders on a pedestal and when that leader says something contrary to what they believe in or does something contrary or simply does something that’s human, they become disappointed. I’m not saying any of the reasons are right but I do feel like the members of the church / body of Christ should really be mindful of how they are treating other believers as well as unbelievers. Alot of people are hurting and looking for answers. And when they hear things like “get over it” or “you’re going to have to let God heal you of that hurt,” they retreat to the only place they call safe, home. There was a time when the church was a safe haven; a true refuge a place where people could go to find God or further their relationship with God. But now folks just try to work out their issues at home and hope that God’s grace can help get them through the issue/ emotional challenges they are struggling with.

o.k. i tried to read all the posts so i could respond with knowledge of all who spoke but somewhere in the middle between getting aggravated and pissed at the same time i skipped to my opportunity to speak….nobody wakes up and debates whether or not they should go to work or not once they have a job….the job serves the need of supplying sustenance for your substance that ultimately sustains your existence…..matter of fact you will catch it worse if you don’t go to work than if you do…church is no different1 problem is, so many people go with a gimmeee attitude vs. an equip me coach, captain, Pastor, warrior, please God speak to me so I can bless others….everybody shut up i’m getting instructions over here…..wow she’s been runnin’ around the dome for 8 years wit no results, o.k. don’t get distracted focus on Pastor attitude that church becomes chuuuch…..when you are dispensing all that you have and even what you don’t and trying to find more from other sources you can borrow from only to give that too…all in the name of love and service to man by serving God then you’re looking everywhere like a crackhead for anything you can use to SERVE…. to not want to go to church or even let the thought enter your mind only displays a neon flashing sign of “damaged goods with no intent to forgive or serve” flashing over your every move…get over it or him or her you are not that important until you become available to God for all that He’s put in you…translation: it’s all fun and games until someone gets their “I” put out and then it becomes real ministry because “U” after the “I” have become “1″ in service with the Lord…church is 6 step simple!: 1.GO 2.GET THE WORD 3.APPLY AND PRACTICE 4.SHARE 5.RELOAD 6.REPEAT…anything other than that is a selfish temper tantrum because you simply need a hug I don’t care if Pastor Dollar come out in a pimp suit smokin a blunt, as long as that Word is anointed i will be there soppin it up like cornbread, butter and syrup and prayin that he changes his clothes next bivl study…sorry TBird but this is the 1 pet peave that birthed my ministry so i refuse to use my anger management…..all”perfect christians feel free to insert judgement mmmmmm <>>

Yeez – Agreed. With a lot of crap going on all over the place, some people make generalizations and pin it all on the idea of church as a whole.

Rico – Do you still feel that there is no need to attend?

AZ – No need to apologize…let the passion flow!!!!! I love it!!!!

Well, I don’t think its necessary to go the church b/c I dont think is a sin not to go. Nor do I think you’ll go to jail either. However, I think its good to b/c its good to hear the word from the good book from another angle. Also gettin with prayer groups is always a good idea too..

Tarik – Agreed.

@asah zilla – i love the 6 step process! simple and easy to follow!

You post awsome articles. Bookmarked !