Can I Be a Christian and Not Attend Church?
Share
Obviously, you would hope the church makes this easy to do and the people are friendly and willing. As humans, we are communal people, not designed to live in isolation, which means we need genuine connection and church should be a place to find that. Some of my longest and most enduring relationships that started in church.
2. Developing Gifts
I know people often attend church to meet their own needs, but I also believe you are in that church to meet a need that the church has.
When I was 17, there was a group of 12-year-old students who were so bad they forced the Sunday School teacher to quit. The church looked for a replacement and could not find one, so I volunteered to teach that class. I had never taught before, but there was a need, and I filled it. What I discovered in that process was that I had a gift for teaching, which I have since developed and continue to use today. However, had that opportunity never arisen, I don’t know if or when I would have discovered that gift.
As much as church is about receiving, it is also about giving and growing. God has placed gifts and talents within you, and often the local church is a wonderful place to identify and grow those gifts you have.
3. Developing Others
One aspect often overlooked by people who stop going to church is the opportunity to develop others. Have you ever stopped to think that there are things God has placed in you that can use to encourage and build other people up? Your story, your experiences, your knowledge, your wisdom are things other people can benefit from.
When you choose not to go to church, then you forfeit the opportunity to help people on their journey with Jesus. As much as attending church should benefit you, you are also there to be a benefit to others.
Let me put this in another context. You are part of the body of Christ, and there is a church that needs you. Your life matters, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to lift someone else up along the way.
While yes, you can be a Christian and not attend church, there is a bigger truth for many that we must come to grips with. If you are not attending church, there is a reason. It is vital that you don’t overlook the reason but take the time to identify it.
If you are uninterested, disengaged, too busy, or whatever the reason, you need to dig a little deeper. A good friend of mine says this: “People do what they want to do.” Please don’t take this the wrong way because it is not meant to be judgmental but honest. Ultimately, if you don’t go to church, it’s because you choose not to. It is the reason you are choosing not to that I want you to discover. It could be covering something deeper that you have not effectively addressed, and you should.
I fully understand that churches are imperfect organizations, as I have been in them all my life. I have had moments where I did not want to go. There were times I could not go because of work and sickness. None of this meant I wasn’t a Christian. I have been hurt by the church before, been in churches that had bad or divisive doctrine, even part of a church that sued and went to court (I was in the courtroom) to get the pastor removed from the church. I have been disappointed by church, disillusioned by church, and disgusted with church so I know how you may feel.
Despite all this, I recognize that a church is a group of imperfect people hopefully doing their best to live out the perfect commission God has given us. So if you are away from church, thinking you don’t need it, what I know is you probably need it more than you realize.
What you need is not the building, but a community of authentic people who love each other, who can encourage you to grow in Christ, who provide opportunities to use your gifts and talents, and a place you can call home. I know finding this can feel overwhelming, but it exists, and remember they need you as much as you need them.
So while you can be a Christian and not go to church, I would recommend that you don’t do that. You are missing out on the opportunity to bless others and be blessed yourself.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Borup Foto
He is the author of The Pursuit of Purpose, which helps readers understand how God leads them into his will, and the author of The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. Clarence is also committed to helping 10,000 people learn how to study the Bible and has released his first course, Bible Study Basics, to achieve that goal. To learn more about his ministry and resources, please visit clarencehaynes.com.