Can I Be a Christian and NOT Attend a Local Church?

[aliciastoaks]

Reasons why I am a Christian who does not attend to a church. A few I have been to in my lifetime are like being in High School all over again. If you don't fit in meaning you don't dress like them, you don't look like them, you don't have money like them, then you're just a heathen damned to hell. God's Church is suppose to be a house of healing for those who are broken and seek redeemtion. Not a country club for self-righteous saints. How I talk to God is by reading my Bible and devoting my time with him through prayer daily. I don't just read for myself, but I also have fellowship with other believers, but not in a church. The Real Church of God is in the Heart of an individual.

[jessica_fairbairn]

I don:t go to church and I NEVER will because I don't trust them. However, I still have a relationship with God that is stronger than a lot of people in this world. In my heart, I know that I have been saved by Jesus Christ and I don't go to church. It's an unpopular opinion that will get lots of hate but I firmly stand by what I have said. If people choose to go to church and feel it is the right path for them then that is truly amazing and I don't have anything against them at all. However, just because some of us choose not to go to church doesn't mean that we are bad people or haven't been saved by christ, and it is most definetly NOT A SIN. I know this, but I just wanted to say it for people like me who have a really strong instinct not to go to church but are confused because they still feel like they have a connection to God, and think that they are wrong.

[demetricefrench]

Pastor Matt,
Keep sharing, I'm inspired by this and someone else's exhortation to plug in again. I know for my own benefit & I pray for those I connect with.
Blessings

[razback]

I think people are sick of the politics of church. The big money. Celebrity pastors. The entertainment factor. Loud music. Light shows. Fog machines. Slick overheads. The seeker friendly attitude that will go to no end to get butts in the pews. False teaching. Shallow worship.Lavish buildings. The list goes on and on. I'll be leaving my church soon. I'm planning on starting a home care group. A small group of believers who bring authenticity to the table. A small group who breaks bread together and cares for each other. A group that's not dictated by an egotistical pastor and power hungry deacons and elders. How refreshing it's going to be.

[lancemarchetti]

I have grown so much more in Christ after spending more time on Sundays alone with Him...like on the beach or in the park. His Spirit teaches me afresh and helped me to unlearn the many lies that come packaged with organized churchianity. I'm not looking for the perfect church...just a genuine one. I'm tired of the one-man, one-woman shows. The priesthood of ALL believers is hardly evident in our gatherings. A fact that no-one wants to talk about...

[dgh]

People are thinking when bible says church, that its talking about a building but its talking about people.

[MrVarela]

I found the perfect church! and the head of that church is our Lord Jesus Christ, his church is led by the spirit of God and it is not a building led by a pastor. it is spiritual and they only follow Jesus and keep his word if we fall short we fall on our face and ask for forgiveness and continue following him. he does a good work in us, he gets the glory.
He purifies us and Sanctifies us, and makes us Holy .
John 10:2-5
2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
John 10:14-15

14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and they know me.


15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

We only assemble with those who follow our master in all his way, and manifest the fruits of the Spirit
and share the gospel, there are not many of us, but God is with us. because we do not only proffess with our mouth
but follow him with all our heart, mind, and strength. THAT IS THE CHURCH. It is not a building made by hands or man, But God.
If ye are led by the Spirit ye are Sons of God.

[marcusvonmaximus]

I have been to several different churches and denominations. And they all have their inner circles and outer circles. If you're on the inner circle then you feel like you're a member of the church if you're on the other circle you're just a button to pew and an offering in the plate. And every church that I've went to within a period of time ends up splitting because somebody's opinions differ from other people's or there's a power struggle. Anymore I'd rather just find a good sermon on the internet rather than going through the household of trying to find a church home and then watch it fall apart.

[mayacharrat]

I can’t find a church where they preach repentance, holiness or salvation

[shannonsundby]

The Bible does not say one must attend a 501c3 organization....the Bible says that believers should assemble with other believers. We should be mutually serving, edifying, encouraging and building each other up. Church is not the Americanized view of a Sunday morning worship service. Church is the living body of Christ.
The Bible also says to biblically separate from those teaching false doctrine. If you can't find a local assembly teaching right doctrine, we can still biblically be the Church by finding others to fellowship together with...not just socialize but fellowship with. That can be as small as one other person.
As Christians we need to study in God's Word what IS and IS NOT "Church ". It may challenge many people's expectations.
While it is true that you will never find a perfect gathering of any people, there have been many people truly hurt by religious organizations. We need to separate church from the business model we have experienced.
It is also extremely unloving to tell someone who has experienced harm, religious trauma and spiritual abuse...to just get over it. It doesn't work that way.
I have been more apart of Church since leaving my former 501c3 model of "Church " (I was there almost 3 decades) than all the years I'd been there.

[jeff]

Many people don't go to what's called denominational 'churches' because they don't like the pastor, are don't get on with some people, they don't go because the true gospel etc is not taught there. Especially now that we are in the last of the last days. Also because today it has left the meaning and practice of the church fellowship. Acts 2:41-46. 1st Corinthians 14:26- where everyone shared. Now it's a one man sharing. Yes as you say it's wise to fellowship even in a house with other believers.Hebrews 10:25. This is what the early believer's did. Then went out witnessing.

[victoriavass]

Your videos are so inspiring. Thank you.

[northwind]

This is such an American question. And it views the church far too much as an organization. A better question would be: Am I living a life of accountability/leadership with the Christians who God has put in my life regardless of whether there is a doctrinally sound organized church in my area.

[stevenleabon]

That's beautiful to visit a hospital, this is graceful to understand people's needs, not being able to be with people. Church can be house, but yes I agree we need one another loving God will help us love ourselves and others. 😊Jess x

[JesusIsAlphaOmega]

Acts 7:48-49
48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

[comelordjesus]

The church is not a building. The church is the body of Christ - the Christians. Anyone who believes into the Triune God and is a Christian is part of the Church. The places where the brothers and sisters meet are and should be called meeting places, not churches.

[trevino]

Church membership is not a biblical requirement and that is what you are actually addressing. Fellowship is always welcomed by all Christians, whether they attend a church or not but church membership and Christian fellowship are two different things. Those who propose Christians need to be in a church do so by confusing and interchanging the same word to mean the same things while it being different things. The context of Hebrews 10:25 has nothing to do with church gathering as a requirement but more on not forsaking the Gospel of Christ, as some already have, by not gathering with the saints. The focal point of the context before and after verse 25 is remaining within the Gospel and not returning to Judaism. This has nothing to do with church attendance as a requirement. However, many have successfully created a church doctrine from half a verse. John the Baptist and Paul were loners in their journey and at no time was their spiritual life hindered. Church membership and attendance is nothing more then the law being placed on the shoulders of many, in the same way Jews required the gentiles to be circumcised and follow the law to b true Christians....sorry but you are wrong and using your title as "pastor" would only further your cause in promoting the church system as a requirement.

Not sure if you are going to see this, where this is an old video - but as much as there is no perfect church, I’m from a part of Canada where all of the churches (particularly Presbyterian ones, I was baptized [Canadian] Presbyterian) are highly liberalized. Can they really be thought of as less than perfect in measured sense you implied/is there use to attendee those churches?

[JPMM]

What if the majority of local congregations in your area are either liberal or prosperity oriented? And the only decent ones are inaccessible because of transportation issues?

[kvelez]

1:01
Never thought of that case before.

2:57
I'm not from the US, would you pray with me that I may find a church soon?