Is It Okay for Christians to Skip Church?
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Sundays used to be one of the most peaceful days of the week. The mornings always seemed calm and there was no hustle and bustle associated with a typical weekday morning. Growing up in NYC, billed as the city that never sleeps, this was no small feat. For us, Sunday morning meant one thing: we were going to church. Back then, our church was on Staten Island, so Sunday meant rising early so we could be out of the house by 8:15 to make that drive. Despite the commute, it was rare that we would miss a Sunday at church.
It is amazing how times have shifted over the years and going to church on Sunday has fallen off the priority list. A recent Barna study revealed that the average person attends church 1.6 times per month; but surprisingly that 1.6 number is trending up. However, it means people still miss more Sundays than they attend. While I guess it’s good that number is moving upward, there is still cause for concern.
With people absent from church at this rate, is it okay for Christians to skip church? And beyond that, what are we missing? As you ponder that question, let me give you a reminder of why we go (or are supposed to go) to church.
Why Should Christians Go to Church?
Here is a passage that defines why Christians should not skip church.
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need” (Acts 2:42-45).
Based on this passage, there are four primary reasons we should go to church regularly.
1. Discipleship
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching…”
One big reason we go to church is for instruction, which is part of discipleship. The purpose of preaching and teaching is to exhort, encourage, and correct so that we learn how to apply Biblical truth in our lives every day. Granted, not all discipleship happens on a Sunday morning, but if done properly, these moments can be a catalyst to inspire your walk with the Lord throughout the week.
2. Fellowship
“…and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread…”
Part of the reason for gathering was to spend time with each other. Sharing food and spending time together were key elements to building the community of the church. That remains true today. If you look at any church that is thriving, chances are food, fellowship, and discipleship are a part of that community.
3. Worship
“…and to prayer…”
One of the significant aspects of church is when the body of Christ gathers for corporate worship and corporate prayer. Some of the best moments in church happen when we all come together seeking God in prayer and entering his presence in worship. Doing this as one body invites the presence of the Lord, and often things can happen in your heart and life that may not happen when you pray on your own.
4. Stewardship
“…All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need…”
Another aspect of going to church is not just what you get out of it, but also what you give to it. God saved you and placed in you gifts, talents, and abilities that can benefit the body of Christ. Part of the reason you are there is to use those gifts to serve others. Stewardship is offering your time, talent, and treasure in service to build up the body of Christ.
Building relationships, receiving instruction, worshipping together, spending time with other believers, giving of your resources, and finding encouragement in your walk should all be at the top of our list of reasons we go to church.
Is It Okay for Christians to Skip Church?
The answer to this question lies in the reason(s) why you are skipping church. There are some valid ones and there are some questionable ones. Let’s look at both and see if any of these resonate with you.
Valid Reasons for Christians to Skip Church
Sickness or Disability
Some people skip church not because they don’t want to be there, but because they physically cannot make it. Their disability or sickness prevents them from going to church or sometimes any other social gatherings.
Work
Sundays are now workdays for many people and, depending on your profession, there is no guarantee you will be able to attend church because of your work schedule. Many times, when I skip church, it is because I am working and there is no way for me to do both.
Vacation
There may be times throughout the year when you go on vacation, and you skip church to do this. You should not feel guilty about this. It is important to get away and rest. That could mean spending time alone, maybe with friends, with your spouse if you are married, or with your family. In any of these scenarios, time away can do you good.
Transportation
Some people may have intentions of going to church but unfortunately their transportation to get there may not be dependable. If the car breaks down on Sunday morning, then there may not be another means of transportation available to get you there.
Questionable Reasons for Christians to Skip Church
These reasons for skipping church should cause you to ask yourself some questions, which is why they are questionable.
Fatigue
Fatigue and the need for rest are real. There are plenty of studies and even Scriptures that highlight the value of rest. However, it feels like when we need rest, we don’t cut out the other things in our lives, we just skip church. If you skip church because you are tired, but still do all the other things in your life, are you skipping church because of fatigue or is it something else?
Busyness
Many of us have extremely busy lives. We wear busyness as a badge of honor, and it seems like we marvel at those people who are extremely busy. Being busy is not always a good thing, especially when it interferes with other important aspects of your life. If your busy schedule causes you to skip church, then ask yourself, are you too busy?
Desire or Enthusiasm
There will be days you don’t want to go to church and skipping church feels like the desirable thing to do. There are some Sundays I just don’t feel like going. If this happens occasionally, then I see nothing wrong with that. However, if this becomes your norm, then you must ask yourself what is going on? Going to church does not make you a Christian, but if you have little to no desire to go, it could be an indicator of something else happening in your heart.
Other Priorities
For some, church just does not fall high on the priority list because there are other things we place above it. I cannot tell you whether these things are good or bad, but you must decide if they are helping or hindering your relationship with the Lord and especially with other believers.
I did a little research to discover some other reasons people were skipping church. Here are some of what I found.
- They don’t connect with the messages
- The messages don’t feel relevant
- Disagreement with the churches’ doctrinal, political, or social stances
- Not feeling welcome
- The people feel too judgmental
If the church you attend makes you feel this way, that may be a valid reason not to go back to that church. However, that doesn’t mean you abandon every church. Feelings like these mean it’s time to find a new church, not to skip church altogether.
The other reasons were a little more disturbing
- They view church as organized religion
- They don’t see the value of gathering in person so they watch online
These reasons speak more to a person’s perspective, perhaps more than anything else. They highlight that this person may not be grasping the reasons why we gather. In both cases, they have missed that the church is not the building or the denomination; the church is about the people. It’s about discipleship, fellowship, worship, and stewardship. If the church forgets these four things, then church can become nothing more than organized religion. If you forget them, then you miss out on aspects that can be crucial to your growth in Christ.
Final Verdict
Is it okay for Christians to skip church? It depends. I hope by now you conclude that the answer to that question lies in your why. So, let’s make this personal because this should not be about other Christians skipping church, it really is about you and me and if we skip church. When you define the reason you are skipping church, only then will you know if what you are doing is okay.
While going to church does not define whether you are a Christian, it can tell you some things about the condition of your walk with the Lord. Nevertheless, if you cannot find discipleship, fellowship, worship, and stewardship in the place you attend now, then find another church. There are plenty of good churches out there and I am confident in saying you can find one that meets your needs. None of them will be perfect, but they can be beneficial to you. When you find one, I can say confidently that it will lower your desire to skip church.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/AJ_Watt
