I am often ‘chastised’ by well-meaning brothers and sisters for not attending church.  So I thought it would be wise to lay out my reasons for not doing so.

1.    I can see no Biblical mandate for regular church attendance at what we call in America a "church.”  The only Bible verse that people can use to try to persuade me is Hebrews 10:25, which reads “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.”

But this verse does not indicate that we are required to attend “services.”  Rather, it is a command to gather together with believers.  That does not need to take place in a modern church assembly.  This is done in homes and studies, or wherever you can gather with brothers and sisters for exhortation, encouragement, wise rebuke, and care.  I regularly fellowship with believers every week, so I do not see myself in violation of this, and “church attendance,” is not specifically required here.

2.    I have never felt the Lord leading me, or commanding me, into a church.  Granted, we should not rely on “feelings,” (Scriptures alone are our authority) but I have a very personal and intimate walk with God.  I know when He wants me to do something and when He doesn’t.  For He prompts me and overwhelms my conscience with the things He desires of me.  He consistently guides me in the ways I should go, and I have never felt compelled to attend.

3.    I believe that modern American churches are filled with non-believers, and we are commanded to have no fellowship with them. (2nd Corinthians 6:14-18)

4.    I believe that modern American churches are filled with false teaching, and we are commanded in numerous spots to have nothing to do with it. (Rom. 16:17; 1^st Tim. 6:1-5; 2^nd Tim. 2:14-19; Titus3:9-11; 2^nd John 1:7-11)

Some might say, “So what if there are unbelievers there?  Jesus sat with the sinners and the prostitutes.”  Yes, but Jesus went for ministry, not for fellowship.  He went to bring the Gospel to those people, not to worship and build each other up!  You cannot do the things of the Body with those who are not of the Body.  We go and “sit” with the sinners in order to proclaim the Gospel to them, not to have fellowship with them!  So, if you were going to church in an effort to reach the lost, than amen!  I think that is what every Pastor does (along with providing encouragement for the sheep).

Others might say, “You’re being judgmental.  How do YOU know that there are unbelievers there?  Maybe they are just immature Christians.”  We are told that we can KNOW a tree by it’s fruit.  Good trees, produce good fruit.  And bad trees, produce bad fruit.  REAL born-again Christians have EVIDENCE (fruit) of being born-again.  FAKE Christians lack that evidence and produce evidence of being fake.

Many, many, many people SAY they are Christians, and chances are the vast majority of them in the “church” pews make that claim.  But many of them show NO evidence of being born again. 

A.   Do they LOVE Jesus?  Not just in word, but in a way that shows itself.  Do they have Jesus on their heart and mind all the time?  Do they talk about Jesus?  Do they marvel about His works?  Do they praise His Character?  Or do they just say, “Yeah, I’m a Christian.  I love Jesus.”

B.   Do they LOVE His Word?  Are they passionate about it?  Do they recognize it as their life-line?  Do they read it regularly?  Do they talk about it?  Do they study it?  Or do they just own a Bible and occasionally look at it?

C.   Do they HATE their sin?  Do they hate every false way?  For all sin and all lies dishonor the King and lead souls to hell.  How can they actively participate in and celebrate their sin if they really love Jesus Christ?!  Or do they just “feel bad” when confronted?

D.   Do they LOVE other born-again believers?  You can "sense" Christ on them and desire to be in their presence, and vice-versa.  You care for one another, correct one another, and keep one another.  Is this evident on them, or are they just playing “nice?”

E.   Do they HATE to see people perish (eternally)?  Do they show evidence that they cannot stand the thought of people going to hell (even those who hate and persecute them)?  Are they compelled to warn them in some fashion, regardless the cost?  Or do they have an attitude of “whatever works for them is fine with me?”

F.    Do they exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in their daily lives?  Not just when people are looking, but when they are in their natural and comfortable settings, just being themselves?  Do they exhibit love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance?  Or, when they are just “being themselves,” do they have fornication, uncleanness, hatred, drunkenness, partying, and heresies on their lips and in their actions?  Do they cuss and swear and drink and talk of sex?  HOW CAN THEY BE HIS and not be condemned in their consciences with such language?!

If the “church” is full of people who act like the latter group in their daily lives, HOW can we associate with them and have fellowship with them?  NO!  We should treat them like unbelievers and evangelize them, but not worship and pray with them!  It is for these reasons that I do not attend regular “church” service.

*HOWEVER, if you DO attend, I am in NO WAY condemning you or looking down my nose at you.  These are merely my convictions.  If you are there to serve and to reach out to others and to minister, or if you have a great group of TRUE believers that you enjoy worshiping and praying with, then by all means GO TO CHURCH.  But is this not an issue that we have freedom on?  Like eating meats or celebrating holidays?  And in the spirit of Romans 14, let us not judge or hate one another.  We each answer to the Master for ourselves.  If He has compelled you to go to church, then DO IT!  And if He has not compelled me, don’t try to add that unnecessary weight to me.  

One additional thought:  When brothers and I are on the streets evangelizing, inevitably, someone asks what church we are with.  Immediately I can sense that they have preconceived prejudices and are just looking for an opportunity to unleash those.  They have some sort of argument or bias in mind to dismiss us.  When I tell them I am not affiliated with any particular church, their defenses immediately drop and I can see in their countenance that I have essentially "disarmed" them for a moment (they usually immediately find another bias to latch onto, but nonetheless...).  I am not saying that not being affiliated with a church is better than being affiliated with one, perhaps each has it's benefits when evangelizing, but this is one of the benefits that I wanted to mention here.