**I don't mean to offend anyone with this question**
What do you ladies think about someone who doesn't attend church? They're strong in their faith and worship in others ways but not in church. This person feels she has a stronger connection to Him when alone vs in a room with others.
She asked my opinion but I honestly didn't know what to say other than, it's her personal choice on where to worship.
Good question LHCF2009,
There are lots of reasons why someone may not be attending church or have a church home at the present time. Some are legit some are not. I will quote a passage I'm sure you are very familiar with and then follow up with a few comments on some things God has shown me concerning church fellowship.
Hebrews 10:25
25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Romans 10:14
14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
1 Corinthians 14:40
40But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
I have a good friend who asked me the very question you stated in your post. He is an athlete. When Jesus was here he often used examples his audience could relate to to help them understand kingdom concepts. Because he is the same yesterday, today, and forever he still uses illustrations (parables) today that we can relate to. What he had me explain to my friend was this, a kid with natural athletic abilities and a certain amount of intelligence could read books on how to play a sport. They could study plays. They could go through drills and invest in equipment for personal use. It would be safe to assume they would learn basics about the sport this way. If however, that same kid suited up and hit the courts and started to play in an active game without ever having interacted with a coach he is probably in for the shock of a lifetime.
God is like a head coach. He has the game plans. The pastor is God's assistant but functions like the top assistant coach instructing and training us on our roles in this life. Likewise, an intelligent child let's say a 10 year old, who read books on driving cars is not ready to put the book down and get behind the wheel. In both scenarios there are smart people involved but there are important aspects of being prepared missing. Aspects like time and teachers. You get my point. When it comes to a soul and where it will spend eternity God has carefully, specifically laid out a master plan.
Unfortunately, people have mixed in their own ideas and or allowed someone else to dictate to them what 'thus saith the Lord' and haven't bothered to pray and ask God what he said or study the word.
2 Timothy 2:15
15
Study to shew
thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.
You see, my pastor loves God. He teaches us. Challenges us. I can see growth all around me. Then I get before God and read for myself what has been said. God by his spirit shows me if what I've been told is consistent with what is in the bible. God's word does not change.
Mark 13:31
31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
1 John 4
1Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
So, if we are not evangelists or apostles or some other person in a form of ministry where God has instructed us to be outside the physical church busy doing his work- we need to get there. We have a
responsibility to 'test the spirit by the Holy spirit to make sure we are in a good bible based church but we need to get there. You can be saved and make it into heaven but you will not fulfill the call on your life nor will you have many victories b/c you will be weak spiritually
. Fellowship is our spiritual food.
Keep in mind
church first and foremost but it is also vital in your spiritual walk to assemble in small groups outside of the church. Yet under the authority of the church for growth and accountability. Women's groups, parenting groups, marital groups, singles group, whatever composed of spiritually diverse people is essential for growth. This is important fellowship too but should come after the order of regular church attendance.
It is your friend's personal choice but the question is does she want to be in obedience to God? Does she want to experience the abundant life now and in the next life?
Know this, there is tremendous strength and wisdom in numbers and unified praise.
HTH,
Prudent1
