Time out from church...?

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Carpentson

Guest
#1
Hi. Me and my wife struggle about our involvement in our church. Helthissues makes it hard to go on sundays. Is it OK to take a time out.. Skip church for some time. My heart says no but my gut says yes.

Any thoughts out there?
 

santuzza

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2013
1,609
38
48
#2
Sure, I think a time-out is fine (just don't make it permanent!). But remember to try to get other Christian fellowship (meeting with friends for Bible study and prayer, etc.)

Perhaps you need to take this time to really pray and make sure it's God will that you are in the church you're currently in. Perhaps it's time for a change and God is setting that up for you right now.
 
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Carpentson

Guest
#3
Thanks for a kind and encouraging reply.
 

Sirk

Banned
Mar 2, 2016
8,896
112
0
#4
I'm with you. Sometimes a change of scenery gives a fresh perspective.
 
M

Miri

Guest
#5
Hi, I was in a similar position where I was very active in my church,
was part of the worship team and attended a few small groups.

Then life got in the way I had to drop out of most things to take care
of my elderly aunt. I did try to keep going for a while but working full
time while looking after my aunt's needs 24/7 and trying to
satisfy all my good intentioned friends who were inviting me to various
church meetings, just drove me to the brink of despair.

So after a while I decided I would go to church only when I had
the mental and physically energy to do so and not just to keep other
people happy. After all what's the point of going to church so tired that
you can't even remember the service later or concentrate on what is
being said.

Fast forward a couple of years, I still look after my aunt, I now work part
time. Life is still very busy and my days off are usually full of
phone calls, arranging things and dealing with medical visitors for my aunt.

So I still go only when I feel I can manage. Maybe a couple of time a month on
Sundays and maybe one small group meeting once a month.

Do I miss going 2-3 times a week - yes
Do I feel guilty about not going as much - not any more
Do I still have a relationship with God - yes
Do I still keep in contact with friends - yes
Has God zapped me for not going as much - no He understands :)
 
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Carpentson

Guest
#6
Yes...It's all good answers here and I do appreciate your help.
 
Dec 19, 2009
27,513
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#7
Hi. Me and my wife struggle about our involvement in our church. Helthissues makes it hard to go on sundays. Is it OK to take a time out.. Skip church for some time. My heart says no but my gut says yes.

Any thoughts out there?
Your health is the more important thing. If you have to miss church because of your health, that's okay.
 

Marcelo

Senior Member
Feb 4, 2016
2,359
859
113
72
#8
Hi. Me and my wife struggle about our involvement in our church. Helthissues makes it hard to go on sundays. Is it OK to take a time out.. Skip church for some time. My heart says no but my gut says yes.

Any thoughts out there?
I've been skipping church lately because our senior pastor passed away and the assistant pastor screams too much - my ears need a timeout. If you have a health issue, you're more excused than I am.
 

Demi777

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2014
6,877
1,949
113
Germany
#9
When you dont go to church watch live stream, thats usually what I do when I cant go to church.
 
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Tinuviel

Guest
#12
Is it ok to not go to church? Yeah. It is. Just make darn sure that you cut out dinner dates with friends or that trip to the mall first. My grandpa was one from the Old School, and his motto was, "if you can run everyday of the week, you can sure go to church on Sundays."

But if you're basically house-bound, I think God understands :) As others said, try a live stream when you can't go. But, don't make it a substitute :)
 
Feb 7, 2015
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#14
I actually miss it very much if I cannot go to be with my church family. Although I enjoy the services (we have one of the best preachers I have ever heard in all my 71 years) it is to be with the people that brings me to church. I'm pretty sure God doesn't have a cot in the back room behind the stage, so I don't have to go there to find Him.... except in the people.

A TV (video) presentation does next to nothing for me.
 
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Colt45Bullet

Guest
#15
We broadcast our service over the local radio station. Maybe you could listen to it at home. People do that all the time