I need some clarity.. Is church attendance a requirement? I mean if a person believes in God and accept Jesus Christ as thier savior, what is the importance of going to church? I'm only asking because I have visited several churches and have not had very good experiences. Some of the people in the churches i visited were very nasty and honestly I left out feeling just a crappy as I did when I walked in. Is Church more of a "man made" form of worship or does God really want us to go to church?
Jesus said, where two or more are gathered in my name, I am in the midst of them. This is what we are all looking for.... His Presence.
I too, have had many unpleasant experiences, in church, to say the least.
When I first got saved, I thought I had arrived in Heaven.... Wow... was I in for a let down!!!
Listen to the Spriit within. You have come to Jesus. You have the Holy Spirit dwelling within. The bible says, that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. It also says, that we need no man to teach us, that Christ, once we come to him, is our teacher, thru the power of the Holy spirit, and that he will lead us into all truth.
It says to forsake not, the assembling of yourselves together, to me, this means we need regular times of fellowship and worship, as there is a corporate annointing that rests upon the fellowship.
Given the scriptures above, I see nothing wrong with praying and asking God where he wants you, and when, then following his leading.
Many put the empathis on staying in one place for a lifetime, for me, the empathis is on finding and following the will of my Lord, and I see that he moved his disciples all around.
The bible says that it is impossible to walk together, unless there is agreement. I would rather be in the presence of God, with one believer, and be in agreement than to be in the middle of any congreation, where there is diagreement and discord. I simply can't bear it. God has moved me out of chaos into his marvelouis peace, and I do whatever I must, in order to keep it, it is that precious to me.
I also refuse to stay, where I cannot feel the spirit.