I believe that religion is a very personal thing, and that you don't need to assemble with strangers once a week on a particular day to have Him in your heart.

 

If you can't find a church yer comfy with, start your own Bible study every Sunday at home. There are tons and tons of reference materials, archeology, vids, etc out there to keep you learning for the remainder of your life. I've been a church goer since my childhood days about 60 years ago. I got involved with a video series that is put out by Focus on the Family. It is a gentleman by the name of Ray Vander Laan and he takes you in the DVD series where Jesus walked and taught. He shows you the "river" Jordan where in some places you can jump across. The different Roman cities where Jesus walked, the hiways where people traveled, where Christians hide from persecution, churches of the day, how the cities were built, why some areas are important, the different Tels, just an amazing presentation of things you always read about in the bible but if you've never been there, you really don't know anything about. Some of the towns you have read about are so close to each other, you can see them across the small valley and it's just a few hours walk. It's an amazing series of Faith Lessons. If you get the church series, it comes with a study guide and discussion materials. You can also get the vid "In search of the real Mt Sinai". This is two guys, one a stockbroker and the other a cop, take the Bible for the literal travels of the Jews out of Egypt. What they find is that the place we call Mt Sinai isn't it at all. They find where the Jews crossed the Red Sea and how God had this ready for them in advance. The wells that kept them alive, to the rock that Moses split open for the water and the resulting lake for the millions. It's all there and the people that live in the area KNOW that the real Mt Sinai isn't where we place it on the map. There are a ton of vids out there and you can start your own Bible study at home. Do you like the research aspect of the Bible? Are you aware of the mag called Biblical Archeology? It deals with all religions and all aspects of the latest archeological finds. Loads of info out there and you aren't going to find this in most churches. Form your own home study of the Bible, you might just start finding friends at the house every Sunday.

Here's a start for you:
http://family.christianbook.com/Chri...&Go.y=11&Go=Go

I have them all and it's the best video series I've ever had. There are also thousands of other vids at this site as well. Do you know the name Har Meggido and why it is so important and what it is? Have you ever heard the name Armageddon? They have a lot in common. Vander Laan takes you there and tells why you should know about it.

 

I see you have got a bunch of replies already, but ill give you some advice. I was raised in church and im thankful for that, but ive also stumbled a time or two. My dad is a Baptist preacher, so i know whats up. I think you need to pray about your decisions instead of choosing what you want. Like i said i grew up in church, but it was a small country church. Now i go to a much larger place, but they preach the Bible, and thats what is important. Especially for your little baby. There are sooo many awesome things your kids can get into at a more "business like" place. Not all big churches are like that, you just need to go to them and see for yourself... The sooner you get plugged in somewhere everything else will fall into place for you, as well as your wife. So the moral of the story...pray and trust God to put you where you need to be. If you need to have a good idea of what Bible teaching churches are....I go to Abundant Life Baptist Church in Lees Summit, MO. There is also Kansas City Baptist Temple here and they have sister churches in different places in the country. Anyway, sorry for the book, and good luck to you.

 

Our church started in a home with about a dozen people eight years ago. It was a spirit filled group of believers who just wanted to learn and worship together. Now we have around 1200 regular attenders. The focus is still on teaching and encouraging home based groups.

The point I would make here is that if the church is Spirit led, and teaching the whole Bible, it will naturally grow. Therefore, if it seems large, don't write it off right away. Look into it, and make an educated decision as to whether it is right for you. And remember - it is still a group of humans. Any group of peope will have some issues. The difference is in how they handle those issues when they arise. Also, don't go looking for a church to find out what you can get out of it. Look for a church to find a good place where you can learn and serve. What you get out of it will depend on how much you learn, and how much you serve.

Don't give up bro!

 

NOPE... never, and I need NOT reveal any more justification than that!



Nemi

 

I've always had luck with a Church of Christ. They all seem to be on the smaller side. Great lessons. I could go on and on. But you have to find one that is good for you. Going to church isn't about proving that you believe though. It is about learning the word of GOD, rejoicing, etc..... I don't go to church b/c I feel I have to. I go b/c I want to. I want to learn more and better myself. I feel GOD has blessed me, and helps me when I am in need. Why wouldn't I want to go praise him.
Your believes are your choices. There are churches out there that aren't run the best way. And it seems to turn people away. Keep trying, and you'll find one. There is nothing wrong with leaving a church to find one that you believe teaches the Word more than the hype. You will find preachers turning into more of a motivational speaker, wandering farther away from the Bible. That is the hype I am talking about.

Good luck in your search. It will never hurt to pray, and ask GOD for help in finding a church. He knows more then us about which church is best for you.

 

that makes so much sense

 

I grew up in small churches and I can tell you that I'm tired of church politics! I was always involved in one way or another, from being an usher, organizing the youth sales and sunday lunch sales to preaching and being a youth leader. Somebody already got it right, a personal relationship with our Lord is more important than what church you choose. God will always be with you even when you feel alone. I was heavily involved in 3 small churches and started looking for a new church last april. God led me to a bible preaching church in Gardena Ca. I went online and went through the church website and made sure I agreed with their doctrine. I started attending Calvary Chapel Southbay. The pastor even has a radio show. I love this church and I'm very happy with how organized the church is and I go to church to praise God and hear His word, not to hear gossip or get involved with politics. When I broke my foot I could even watch the services online. Check their sites out and maybe you can find a church like this one in your area. http://www.ccsouthbay.org/home.cfm http://www.lightoftheword.org/
Hope this is a blessing for you!!

 

Spoken like a bible-thumping, close-minded sheep.

Intolerant

- NCSU

 

I was searching for Matthew 18:20 when I found this, it might help you.


Throughout the bible, we read that the Jews went to worship God at a set place, at a set time, once per week. In the New Testament, we have several instances of the apostles meeting and worshipping on every first day of the week - Sundays.

The bible says in Hebrews 10:25:

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

Since the appostles and first believers of the new church gathered regularly together with unbelievers, and we are commanded to, in Hebrews 10:25, I'd say that's plenty of scriptural authority on going to church.

The bible says that iron sharpens iron. That, worshipping God, and studying the bible are the purposes of church. However, it needs to be a bible believing church, not one of the many counterfeits that seemingly run rampant these days.

The scripture of the hypocrite praying in public, is this:

"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." Matthew 6:5-6

The above scripture has to do with your heart. Hypocrites pray in public, not to honor God, but to honor themselves. They're essentially trying to say "look how religious I am! I'm praying, and you're not. Aint I grand?!"

A person who prays where no one sees them, is praying to God, and not being a show off, hence not a hypocrite.

The scripture about two or more gathered together is this:

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20

The context of this verse actually goes back to your church question. When two or more believers are gathered together in Jesus' name, then Jesus is there with them.

The hypocrite scripture is about a non-believer, pretending to be a believer, and showing off. The two or more gathered scripture is for believers who are worshipping together.

 

Forget it...

 

Don't let bad churches end your faith. There are good ones out there you just have to find one. You will feel a lot better after you find a church that meets your needs and start attending again.

 

I second the comment by JNC. Church of Christ abide strictly by the Bible and that will eliminate a lot of the issues that you don't like in the church.

 

Lol shows how much you know. I have not stepped foot in a church since I was a kid

 

I gotcha I guess sometimes I think like a what was it again...oh yeah "bible-thumping, close-minded sheep"

Anyway no offense meant