Through the course of the past year, I've realized that I need to spend more time exploring my faith. Learning, praying, and spending time with other people exploring their faiths... this is important to me.
Helenina asked me if I think I have to go to church to be close to God. So that's our discussion for the moment...
What do YOU think:
Is church attendance vital? Why or why not?
2 comments:
I'll start us off.
I believe that church attendance is something that we naturally want to do. When we want to learn more about any subject, we join classes or clubs to find more about it. We chat with others who have a similar interest.
Church, to me, is the same thing... but is it essential? Mmm... I'm not sure. Isn't any time we gather with other people of faith, to chat about God, really a "church service?"
I believe that attending worship services with other believers strengthens our faith and also gives us opportunities to bring non-believers to a place of worshipping our Lord, a place that should be separate from "the World".
Personally, I know that our pastor regularly gives me some new points to ponder and I've gained a better insight to the Bible. That can only be a good thing. This is also why I would strongly urge Christians to flock to a church where the Bible is taught every service, at least a verse, rather than focusing on what the pastor wants to say about God at that time. My opinion. :-)
As far as needing only church to be close to God? I believe personal private time is essential, and a believer can have personal time communicating with God through the Spirit anywhere. Near our bedside, in the car, at the movies, at church. Even though church can be a gathering of two believers or thousands, communion with God is still intensely personal. Then, when you get to share the powerful sweetness with other people? I think the joy can also increase. I've seen that in our conversations with each other, Jana. :-) So, no, I don't think that going to a building for Sunday morning meetings will "get us to heaven", but yes, I do believe that attending church with the right attitude can be a tremendous help in bringing us closer to the Lord. It is vital.
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