The temptation to miss church. A lot. (long post, my apologies)

[ArtsieSteph]

---If you want to get right to the point I suggest looking at the bottom---

As a young adult, we all have things going on in our lives. Often times I myself work on Sundays, and recently I've been a bit ill back and forth. The problem is when I really get down to it, sometimes I just use excuses not to go to church.

I'm honestly shocked to hear this from myself. You're Christian, why would you NOT want to go to church. I can tell you truthfully..... I think it's pride. Honestly. Like I'm not judging you guys out there, we can't be at church 24/7 but I'm just talking to me here in my situation.

Ok, I'm going to try and follow the verse that says we're supposed to confess our sins to others too. It's normal for us not to want to go to church all the time, but sometimes I use excuses not to. I don't feel good. I just got off work. I need to go to bed early.

But I think the biggest one, where the pride comes in for me, is this: they won't me leave me alone. Let me elaborate. I go to church, everyone is happy to see me, I get a little nervous, but the one thing they do is say things like, "We miss you, you need to come up and sing!" or "You gotta make sure you get here!" Granted my home congregation is mostly retirees that don't work, but it's just that feeling. Pressure. I cannot guarantee I will be there like I used to, and when they do that I feel backed up in a corner and awkward. I refuse to promise them I will, just to not.

Again with the pride: I think it's making me oversensitive to that. I'm a sensitive person as is, and so when a situation like that arises I kinda hike up my back and smile nervously like a cat.

I think that if I was maybe supplementing with more Bible reading and prayer that would be fine, but I'm not. I only pray in spurts now a days, and maybe read a verse a day.... I just....*sigh*....

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I guess the point is, it's really easy to fall into it. And it's really hard to get out of it. It affects how you interact with people, but also often times can affect how much (at least for me) you pray and stay in the word. Best thing to do I think (other than to go to church) is if you can't maybe do your own personal devotion. Or just always pray for more hunger for Him. I haven't, and it's really hurt me spiritually I think. There's a verse somewhere that says not to abandon the gathering of yourselves together like some have. And it's right.

 

[dalconn]

Thanks for being so candid. I don't think our relationship with Jesus is suppose to be burdensome or regimented. I think we so pray all day long as prompted by His Spirit and read when you feel hungry.
The whole church life is part of our spiritual growth, ministry and sacrifice as well as for our spiritual health and safety.


To God be the Glory

 

[Roh_Chris]

First of all, this is NOT a long post. Do you want to know what a long post is? *hint - seoulsearch*

Now, to respond to your post -

I do not think you must feel guilty about giving yourself excuses to go to church. Here are my reasons why -
1. You have been working late into the night on Saturdays and you need your rest. I have a 6-day work week and I never like to get up (again) at 7:00 am on Sunday, go to church and spend another 4-6 hours there.
2. You are constantly pressurised into doing something. This can be stressful for anybody, and more so if you have had to struggle to pull yourself to church in the first place.

However, I am not implying that you should not do anything about it and let the feelings stay. You could do something about it -
1. Tip-toe into the rear bench and slip out the moment the service is over
2. Try and attend a service when there is less crowd - how about during the week or on Sunday evening?
3. Find another church, a much larger one, where you can be oblivious and enjoy your time with God (on a lighter note, what about Blain's church )

I hope this helps you.

 

[1blessedmom]

i totally understand how your feeling because i too can relate.

 

[Bushido8000]

This is totally understandable. My wife and I are currently church hopping due to a disagreement with our former church's practices and involvements. My wife and I were heavily in the ministries there and I can't explain how good it feels to not be stressed out all the time, trying to remember lyrics for songs and worrying about small groups and whatnot. I still miss it though and can't wait to find our place in another church.

 

[breno785au]

You're not alone sis, I've struggled with this my whole walk really, even more so now with 2 young kids. I've been at this place wondering what church is supposed to be all about, for the equipping of the saints, yes but the way we go about it. Worship, if yoi can even call it that anymore, then preaching, a bit of light banter then home. Week in week out. Doesn't matter where I would go, it'd be the same routine.

Why people stress themselves to set up/ pack up etc. Just to follow this routine week in week out is beyond me, I used to do it being on the media team at another church years ago and I think now ugh..there's gotta be more to church than what we do but we don't have much of an alternative so just keep going...even though it feels like day care for us much of the time. So I commonly try to find excuses myself. Don't feel bad, keep praying in your spurts, read your word and love others as much as you are able.