Great point! I must admit I have been pretty irregular with my chuch attendance (ie not been in a few months) of late so I am both pot and kettle with these comments.
Some of the statements people have said to you are clearly poor theology (God loving us "more" or "less"? Hardly worth addressing- especially if these people are going to chuch and listening to any sermon!) but maybe the motivation is what is interesting...
It seems to me (from my own experience) that people have a couple of different motive when someone seems to leave a church. I think firstly people are forced to confront their own faith and reasons for attending structured church when a Christian no longer faithfully attends church. Many people probably are afraid to admit to a little jealousy as well!
I think you are right in saying we are not Christians by attending or not, and that non-Christian are found in church and spiritually alive Christian can survive without a church service, but how many?
I think our society relies on the prompting of others, a majority of Australians lack internal drive-that's why we are obese, lazy, and need (want) a government to save for us (superannuation) pay our way and generally take away our responsibilities. This laziness extends to the church and our own spiritual walks. People worry that without a pastor prompting you how can you remember to have quiet times and live a good life? I think this drives people's fear And anxiety of leaving the flock.
Then I must ask myself: why am I not at church? Is it that I am disallusioned by the whole thing? Have I lost my faith? Is it a combination? Personally I did grow tired of people's attitudes at church but in the fleeting moments of self reflection I think I let my own faith grow cold, I was caught up in the task of church and forgot to nurture my relationship with Christ. To quote the band All Together Separate, I grew tired of "wearing His cross around my neck and not have the peace in my heart". I began to feel like Homer in the episode if the Simpsons when he decided that he no longer needed church. In the end he was right in a way, we don't need to attend church but we do need to be surrounded by His people.
I find it hard to nail down my motivation for going/not going to church. Do I need church? Does church need me? Do I feel guilty for leaving "abondoning" church? If so, SHOULD I feel guilty? Writing this blog leads me to deeper questions, do I still have faith? If so, do I care or will I take my chances and willingly let my already lax spiritual life fall by the wayside in the pretense of not needing church. Will my journey to a closer relationship with Christ be easier in or out of church? Maybe neither, since I should be centred on Christ come what may.
For those who read this article an have made their way this far I hope you can see I am confused and a little lost. I became a lost sheep physically separated from the church a few months ago, but maybe I wondered from the flock sometime before then without even realising. If I manage to find my way home I wonder if that will lead me to the doors or the church? I wonder if I'd be there to join the flock or help the lost sheep realise you don't have to leave the building to leave the church. Maybe I'll just realise it doesn't matter where I am so long as God knows where I am. I might even feel comfortable in church knowing I didn't need to be there anymore.
Maybe not.
Christopher
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