Does going to Church mean anything anymore?
444069
What is with the mile long answer? Is the answerer actually reading all that?\n\nYou do not need to be religious at all. But you are spiritual. You are the church, your body is. You are the house. God is in you.\n\nWhat does God want to do today?
97383
I think it's great to go to several churches. It's also great to find one that you consider your home church. You can do this without turning your back on other denominations. The church needs more people like you who are not only willing, but excited to cross the denominational lines. Afterall, unity is so important!
19262
I'm sorry your parents force you do something you don't want to do. I'm sure they mean well, but understand God himself is not like that. Just hang in there fo the time being. Soon you will be old enough that you will be able to go or not and do what you want to do. But please understand, again, God is not that way. Don't write Him off because you don't like your church or religion. It doesn't matter to him if you ever set foot in a church again, but He does love you and He wants a personal relationship with you. My husband actually went through the same thing. His parents forced him to go to church, so by the time he grew up, he wnated nothing to do with it at all. It wasn't until he was an adult that he actually met God. It turns out God had nothing to do with his parents' church or religion. But God did become real to him and it changed his (my husband's) life forever. So for now just understand church and religion are one thing, but God himself is another.
873024
I go to Temple Baptist Church, meaning im a born-agian Christian, but you probably didnt mean that. Either way, I go to church every Sunday.
1085336
Right now, this instant.  Worship is not only limited to going to church; it is feeding the poor, giving charity, greeting your brother with a smile, and planning to make a positive impact in the world, amongst other things.  Remember, there shall be a day which you will not complete--today could be that day! Strive in a way which is pleasing to God before it is too late!
665149
just staying true. staying close to God and in His will, all this stuff about going to church EVERY week AND midweek service and never thinking bad thoughts and all that...well its good but not imperative. whats important is your walk. if your in His will your in a good place. (= good luck!
60063
Take your church with you, in your deepest heart...it is but the manifestation of your seeking and finding the truth of you.  You are loved unconditionally whether you enter a church, or not.
1067947
Think about your motivation. Are you scared of something?\n\nGoing to church does NOT make you a better human, not even a better believer. You rather take positive actions in your life.
124428
If you are a student or have a job working around lots of people, or if you have lots of friends in that area, I'd ask them.  Anytime I've needed to find out about going to church, word of mouth was the best incentive for me.  I would talk to people about whether or not they found the services to be moving or not, and then I would just go on their word.  I mean, they go there regularly, right?  I would hope they'd be able to make an informed judgement about something like that.  \n\nGood luck, in your search for church!  (Hey, that rhymed!)
52085
Church should be a place where people FORGIVE one another and ARE FORGIVEN by each other. Sounds like that's not happening where you're at right now ... spend some time asking yourself where the dysfunction is, and how to heal it.\n\nRemember that there's a difference between HEALING and AVOIDING.
1064959
Hey, I know the world doesnt seem fair at times but you can never lose sight of hope.  While I am a Christian, hope is an individual thing that takes some faith and trust that things will work out the best for you.\nDon't know when the last time you went to church, but offer, pray, and believe, and it will perform miracles for you.
1179631
If you don't want to go, don't. Going to church doesn't make you a better person! It's how you live you life and the values and morals you have that make you who you are. I don't go to church either and have no doubt that I live a good life.
339547
God doesn't care what you are wearing on the outside. It is the inside He is concerned about. Where I go to church, no one is concerned about what you are wearing. They are just happy to see you there. Find a good church that feels the same way. Good luck and God Bless!
1078918
The only thing that matters is my personal relationship with Jesus Christ; the only place I "go" to worship on any day, is to Him in Prayer.\n\nGod Bless.  He's a lot nicer God than that one we grew up with!
623525
I would drive to wherever I was led to attend no matter the distance.  \n\nAnd to the person who answered that you don't need to attend church to worship... While that is true The Bible tells us 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." (Hebrews 10:25)
1100251
Sometimes, but you have to make sure that its not just church you have in common. And sometimes- one can act like a spiritual person and be far from it, so as with people outside church- you have to really get to know the person. Church sometimes helps you meet good moral people- but then sometimes they are FAR from moral- so sometimes yes sometimes no. Depends on the person and the church I guess.
837063
Absolutely not. The less you apply to the baptism, the better. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change. it is a public testimony of your new faith in Christ. It is the first step of obedience to God.Christ is what saves, not baptism. And I'm a Baptist!