How often do you attend church in person?

[PastorMatt]

The point of this topic is NOT to criticize those attending or not attending in person services, but rather to see where our culture is currently at.

How are you currently attending church services?

[Bouncing Bill]

The church I attend and am a member of has not met in the church since March 2020. Thus, I have not attended church in the 'church' for over a year. However, I attend our worship service each Sunday via Zoom and usually our Prayer and Share service via Zoom on Thursday evenings.

[SureWord]

Usually Sunday School and Sunday morning service unless I'm out of town visiting my mother. My church is just too far away to attend twice on Sunday but I'm thinking of attending Wednesday service once school lets out.

[PastorMatt]

1 hour ago, SureWord said:

Usually Sunday School and Sunday morning service unless I'm out of town visiting my mother. My church is just too far away to attend twice on Sunday but I'm thinking of attending Wednesday service once school lets out.

Just out of curiosity, how far of a drive is it to your church?

[Ukulelemike]

Every time the doors are open...of course, I OPEN those doors, soooo.....

[SureWord]

2 hours ago, PastorMatt said:

Just out of curiosity, how far of a drive is it to your church?

About 30 miles so around 60 miles total. I only have one old car and live with my father who I take care of so I can't be running the car into the ground.

[PastorMatt]

Thank you. I have always respected those that are willing (if capable) to travel a distance to church.

[Salyan]

Every service, including the ones we aren’t open, if we’re live streaming music from the church. I’m the only organist.

[BrotherTony]

My wife and I usually attend only Sunday School and the Sunday morning service. Our church no longer has evening services or small groups on Sunday except for the youth. They have had Wednesday evenings, but we seldom make those since my wife doesn't make it home from work until right around the time the service starts. We usually get up at 2 AM or     3 AM, depending on how she is scheduled. She gets off work between 4 & 5 PM, and it usually ends up running late getting off. Services start at 6 PM on Wednesday. My wife isn't home until around that time or later, driving one way to an from work, the travel time being between 1 hr to 1 1/2 hrs depending on the traffic. UGH! We'd LOVE to be able to go to evening services if we could. I do get to attend a men's Bible study group on Tuesday evenings with the Cowpunchers Cowboy Church of Shelbyville, TN. Great group of men who have been a great help in my recovery.

[SureWord]

I've often wondered, based on Hebrews 10:25, if churches should be meeting more often than what they have traditionally. As the day gets close, i.e. the Rapture, we are supposed to be assembling more often because the temptation to fall away becomes greater and greater. 

[Martyr_4_FutureJoy]

2 hours ago, SureWord said:

I've often wondered, based on Hebrews 10:25, if churches should be meeting more often than what they have traditionally. As the day gets close, i.e. the Rapture, we are supposed to be assembling more often because the temptation to fall away becomes greater and greater. 

'Wondered',  good?  Did the wondering lead to questioning, asking and keep asking,  seek and keep seeking,  knock and keep knocking,

until God Provides the Light ? (Answers)

 

"Traditionally" in Christendom is mostly demonic. i.e. what the world see traditionally turns them away from Christendom,  since it is harmful and not helpful, right?   (remembering or noting that there's over 2,000,000 (billion?) serving the demnons in religion,  and only a remnant,  only a few,  serving Jesus)

Of course ,  or rather if you mean something other by 'traditionally',  than the world /Christendom/ does and sees,  then perhaps better.

'Traditionally',  those who every day obey Jesus,  live as one every day,  serving one another in Christ,  daily laying down our lives for one another, everywhere.  Not just one day or two days,  for an hour.

[Salyan]

3 hours ago, jeff_student_of_Jesus said:

'Wondered',  good?  Did the wondering lead to questioning, asking and keep asking,  seek and keep seeking,  knock and keep knocking,

until God Provides the Light ? (Answers)

 

"Traditionally" in Christendom is mostly demonic. i.e. what the world see traditionally turns them away from Christendom,  since it is harmful and not helpful, right?   (remembering or noting that there's over 2,000,000 (billion?) serving the demnons in religion,  and only a remnant,  only a few,  serving Jesus)

Of course ,  or rather if you mean something other by 'traditionally',  than the world /Christendom/ does and sees,  then perhaps better.

'Traditionally',  those who every day obey Jesus,  live as one every day,  serving one another in Christ,  daily laying down our lives for one another, everywhere.  Not just one day or two days,  for an hour.

This is the most useless response I’ve seen in a while. Could you please talk like a normal human being with proper use of English grammar? 

[SureWord]

By traditionally I don't mean li

6 hours ago, jeff_student_of_Jesus said:

'Wondered',  good?  Did the wondering lead to questioning, asking and keep asking,  seek and keep seeking,  knock and keep knocking,

until God Provides the Light ? (Answers)

 

"Traditionally" in Christendom is mostly demonic. i.e. what the world see traditionally turns them away from Christendom,  since it is harmful and not helpful, right?   (remembering or noting that there's over 2,000,000 (billion?) serving the demnons in religion,  and only a remnant,  only a few,  serving Jesus)

Of course ,  or rather if you mean something other by 'traditionally',  than the world /Christendom/ does and sees,  then perhaps better.

'Traditionally',  those who every day obey Jesus,  live as one every day,  serving one another in Christ,  daily laying down our lives for one another, everywhere.  Not just one day or two days,  for an hour.

By tradition I don't mean the commandments of men just the way most churches in the United States have been holding services for a long time. Monday, Wednesday or Thursday and Sunday. 

"Wondered" is a figure of speech I use a lot which is another way of me saying "I've thought about, meditated upon, considered". 

 

 

Edited June 11, 2021 by SureWord

[1Timothy115]

When I'm away from my local church traveling I don't attend Sunday and/or Wednesday services...unless I'm visiting with folks who do go when the doors are open and then I go to their morning and evening services.

[Corinne]

 

Don't get me wrong, It's good to attend if you're a woman with family or have kids, but if you're a single older man/woman it's pointless to attend, most sermons aren't oriented or directed at you, you just don't exist as a believer if you don't have a family or kids. Especially older woman, the sermons are only addressed to wives or young girls.

Visit if you have a friend or partner to introduce you to people, stay away if you're a newcomer to the assembly. Worship by yourself if you can't gain anything from attending.

Also, I know this will be unpopular but expecting people to attend ALL services is ridiculous. PEOPLE ARE EXHAUSTED after working for hours, they need to relax. I'm saying it's enough 1 day or 1 time during week. 

I'm convinced pastors fill up the week with useless stuff to attend so that they appear 'busy for the Lord' in front of their crowd or community. People have lives and stressful duties to attend to, they don't need scolding and criticism for missing services. 

 

Edited June 27, 2021 by Corinne

[SureWord]

5 hours ago, Corinne said:

 

Don't get me wrong, It's good to attend if you're a woman with family or have kids, but if you're a single older man/woman it's pointless to attend, most sermons aren't oriented or directed at you, you just don't exist as a believer if you don't have a family or kids. Especially older woman, the sermons are only addressed to wives or young girls.

Visit if you have a friend or partner to introduce you to people, stay away if you're a newcomer to the assembly. Worship by yourself if you can't gain anything from attending.

Also, I know this will be unpopular but expecting people to attend ALL services is ridiculous. PEOPLE ARE EXHAUSTED after working for hours, they need to relax. I'm saying it's enough 1 day or 1 time during week. 

I'm convinced pastors fill up the week with useless stuff to attend so that they appear 'busy for the Lord' in front of their crowd or community. People have lives and stressful duties to attend to, they don't need scolding and criticism for missing services. 

 

Yes, there is a lot of truth to what you say. A single man such as myself usually is on the outside a bit. I think many within the church might think something is strange with you if you have never been married. I still go to church but I really keep pretty much to myself other than a quick chat with the pastor who seems to like me and one other member, an elderly widow. The rest avoid me even if I try to initiate a conversation.

A number of years ago up in Syracuse, NY I attended a Baptist Church that was made up of single males. Outside of the pastor there was only one man over 40. The church would do a lot of street preaching within a rough section of the city. The pastor was also a black belt and taught karate to anyone who wanted to learn. Anytime one of the guys got a wife she would demand he'd leave the church and join a typical modern day entertainment church with Awana, Patch the Pirate, church picnics, Women's Bible Study Group (no such group for the men), Christmas pageants, softball games, etc.

I really miss that church.

[Corinne]

Just now, SureWord said:

Anytime one of the guys got a wife she would demand he'd leave the church and join a typical modern day entertainment church with Awana, Patch the Pirate, church picnics, Women's Bible Study Group (no such group for the men), Christmas pageants, softball games, etc.

I really miss that church.

   Finding one sound in doctrine is also difficult. As mentioned previously, I only wish for more catering to single adults, but I understand if it doesn't happen. It's a rare thing to see older people being single. But you talked about men groups, I also find that important. The speeches are targeting mostly husbands and fathers, but single men also need encouragement, especially when they face temptations and different problems.

  The wives are very cautious when befriending single women, especially younger ones. I honestly don't blame them. There have been numerous scandals and breaking up of families when one's spouse wasn't guarded properly. I think families definitely enjoy interacting with other families.

[Salyan]

I definitely understand the feeling that church activities are more pointed to families than singles. A lot of churches don't seem to know what to do with older singles! Which is a shame, because the singles are, at least in our church, what keep things going. Let me see... if this particular 38-year-old single were not here, they would need a new organist, alternate pianist, church treasurer, clerk, decorator, gardener, librarian, master organizer, children's ministry helper...    "I speak as a man", but the truth is that we need both in a church - singles & families. Both are necessary for the Body to work well. 

Sometimes I really wish the families would invite me over - they do once in a blue moon, but it is so much easier for them to add one person to a gathering than for me to invite 8 people over! But they are individually welcoming & friendly, and I can go up to pretty much anyone and star t a conversation if I want to (or many will start it with me).  And God has given me a couple families that I can pretty much invite myself over anytime I need to see someone.   ("He setteth the solitary in families.")

What you describe, Corinne - that sounds really nasty and unhealthy. If the churches hold personal purity so loosely, no wonder there are so many affairs!  There is something seriously wrong in those assemblies.

My experience with attending all services is simply this - there is no better way (in a good church) to grow spiritually and grow together as a church family. No, you don't have to, but when you can, it is beneficial. That being said, what Corinne describes is probably not a church that's going to happen in. 

17 hours ago, SureWord said:

A number of years ago up in Syracuse, NY I attended a Baptist Church that was made up of single males. Outside of the pastor there was only one man over 40.

I remember you mentioning that church before! I still want to find it. 

[SureWord]

2 hours ago, Salyan said:

 

 

I remember you mentioning that church before! I still want to find it. 

The pastor passed away back in 2015. I think his son may taken over as pastor I'm not sure. 

3 hours ago, Corinne said:

   Finding one sound in doctrine is also difficult. As mentioned previously, I only wish for more catering to single adults, but I understand if it doesn't happen. It's a rare thing to see older people being single. But you talked about men groups, I also find that important. The speeches are targeting mostly husbands and fathers, but single men also need encouragement, especially when they face temptations and different problems.

  The wives are very cautious when befriending single women, especially younger ones. I honestly don't blame them. There have been numerous scandals and breaking up of families when one's spouse wasn't guarded properly. I think families definitely enjoy interacting with other families.

53 year old single man here. Its not quite as bad as it was in my 20s and 30s but I still feel on the outside at times.

[Ukulelemike]

On 6/27/2021 at 9:41 AM, Corinne said:

 

Don't get me wrong, It's good to attend if you're a woman with family or have kids, but if you're a single older man/woman it's pointless to attend, most sermons aren't oriented or directed at you, you just don't exist as a believer if you don't have a family or kids. Especially older woman, the sermons are only addressed to wives or young girls.

Visit if you have a friend or partner to introduce you to people, stay away if you're a newcomer to the assembly. Worship by yourself if you can't gain anything from attending.

Also, I know this will be unpopular but expecting people to attend ALL services is ridiculous. PEOPLE ARE EXHAUSTED after working for hours, they need to relax. I'm saying it's enough 1 day or 1 time during week. 

I'm convinced pastors fill up the week with useless stuff to attend so that they appear 'busy for the Lord' in front of their crowd or community. People have lives and stressful duties to attend to, they don't need scolding and criticism for missing services. 

 

 

22 hours ago, SureWord said:

Yes, there is a lot of truth to what you say. A single man such as myself usually is on the outside a bit. I think many within the church might think something is strange with you if you have never been married. I still go to church but I really keep pretty much to myself other than a quick chat with the pastor who seems to like me and one other member, an elderly widow. The rest avoid me even if I try to initiate a conversation.

A number of years ago up in Syracuse, NY I attended a Baptist Church that was made up of single males. Outside of the pastor there was only one man over 40. The church would do a lot of street preaching within a rough section of the city. The pastor was also a black belt and taught karate to anyone who wanted to learn. Anytime one of the guys got a wife she would demand he'd leave the church and join a typical modern day entertainment church with Awana, Patch the Pirate, church picnics, Women's Bible Study Group (no such group for the men), Christmas pageants, softball games, etc.

I really miss that church.

Man, I don't know where you all go to church, or what kinds of churches you attend, but this has never been my experience. I spent ten years single after my first wife passed, and never had any issues with anything being taaght specifically for any age group. Now I am a pastor, and I started out single, and am now single again, (as my second wife passed away 3 weeks ago), and I have always taught doctrine that is for everyone individually. I mean, yes, I teaching some things geared toward those married, or youth, etc, but that's because there are teachings in scripture specifically geared toward those married, or toward young people, or old people, but most doctrine is written for everyone. I couldn't imagine a church that just teaches for group a or group b, and everyone else is excluded. You need to find better churches.