Not Attending Church

Lord's Prayer!
First word is "Our" as in one person speaking collectively for the group.

The word "Amen"....a statement of agreement said by people that you agree with the person voicing the prayer.

And that can't happen if you don't have corporate prayers.

Pray by yourself and God is not there. Because when 2 or 3 are gathered then God shows up. Just saying the scriptures.

Seriously? You believe that I've got a bridge you might like.

As I said in another thread: I wonder if "church attendance" questions mostly arise from those who profit from the offering plate or from those who get their identity from maintaining the building.

Just a thought.

The issue being discussed, I believe, is not whether a Christian attends a big church group.... it is whether that person just decides to be "an island" and not have any interaction with anyone as a group of believers.

There has been a movement over the past couple of decades of forming "small groups" within larger churches. This helps like-minded believers find and fellowship with each other. The larger group is for "corporate" worship and business dealings, such as benevolent work, etc, but the fellowship is more in the small groups.

Some churches are so large as to make "getting to know" brothers and sisters a daunting endeavor... there are only so many people you can have a close, personal relationship with.

This, in my mind is likely more like the first century church, where there were many "house churches" in a city, but still the larger body of believers..... the church at Ephesus, the church in Rome, etc....

As I stated in another thread.... I find it almost impossible to believe that a person cannot find 3 or 4 (or even 7 or 8) like-minded believers to meet with, fellowship with, to "be the body" with. I think it is more an issue of laziness, complacency, arrogance, whatever.. that keeps a person from seeking personal, face to face fellowship with other believers. In my opinion, that attitude is a perfect example of the "falling away".

Is that not scripture?

It is my opinion that separated christians cannot be in the will of God because they can't minister to others, neither can they be ministered to.
We can't be a part of the body while in separate pieces.

1Cor 12:18But now God has arranged the parts, each one of them in the body, just as He desired. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20But now there are many parts, but one body. 21And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again, the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22On the contrary, [p]it is much truer that the parts of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23and those parts of the body which we [q]consider less honorable, [r]on these we bestow greater honor, and our less presentable parts become much more presentable, 24whereas our more presentable parts have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked, 25so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same care for one another. 26And if one part of the body suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if a part is [t]honored, all the parts rejoice with it.

I haave derived this from Daniel.

Breeches are riding trousers.
You pronounce them 'britches'. 🙃
Greetings. 🌹

I dont get 1 red cent from my or any other church.

Also I dont believe the "tithe" is still in place.

I only have one question. What about Roman Catholics? What about LDS? What about Muslims? What about JWs? They meet together, they worship together, they minister to others. Your whole definition of a "church" seems to be based on the idea that as long as they fellowship and worship together they're a church. Great, I'll become a Mormon then; they seem to have a lot better benefits. I mean as long as they're all churches, why not?

Looks like this year we're not seeing a lot of Halloween and Christmas threads but more Church threads.
@Lynx what's your opinion on this phenomenon?

I never said you're the bad guy, never even implied it. You should come back and read my post again tomorrow after you've had a chance to cool down. The idea that I'm blaming you for anything is delusional. You say "everyone" would feel better when we both know you mean "you" would feel better.

I'm simply pointing out the fallacy in your logic. If you have a reasonable answer to my points let's hear it. Otherwise, take a chill pill and relax. Or put me back on ignore; that seemed to work pretty good while it lasted.

Apart from the hyperbolic nature of this response... the answer would be.... if those churches have beliefs you agree with, then you should fellowship with them.
God's plan is for us to be a part of a Bible-teaching and believing body of believers. That is where we belong.
This does not mean that everyone in that church believes exactly the same way you do.... that will never happen.
The body of believers is made up of flawed humans who are each at a different point in their understanding and walk with God.
That is the PURPOSE of being part of the body.... you have unique qualities and abilities that you bring to the group to help make it "whole"..... others have the same thing... unique abilities (gifts of the Spirit) that contribute to making the body "whole".

If you choose to separate yourself from that, it's the same as cutting off an arm or leg.... the body will never be whole, and the severed limb will wither and die.

And what does Matthew 6:6 say?

"But you, whenever you pray, go into your room, and having shut the door pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will repay you openly." Matthew 6:6

Thanks ResidentAlien.. I was wanting Johndb to answer. I'm trying to understand what he meant about praying alone and God not hearing.

I'd like to know that as well.