Why I Find Church Frustrating

Frankly, I find going to church pretty frustrating.  I didn’t go anywhere for four years after the church we attended melted down.  Just couldn’t motivate myself to go back.

I find most churches seem irrelevant.

Either the paid “Holy Man” is making all the real connection with God.

Or they’re talking about social issues that are disconnected from my everyday life.

Or they’re giving tips that come from the latest self help books.

Or they put on a slick performance to entice us to give and come back.

I simply don’t find much guidance or comfort for the challenges I face every day.

And I really don’t think it’s as much about style as focus.

Paul writes, “He is the one who holds the whole building together and makes it grow into a sacred temple dedicated to the Lord. In union with him you too are being built together with all the others into a place where God lives through his Spirit.”  (Ephesians 2: 21-22 GNT)

Here’s the news flash.  God doesn’t live in buildings anymore.  He hasn’t dwelt in a temple for a long time.  So why do we keep pretending that we go to a building to meet God?

What would happen if we accepted that as we simply ask him to come into our lives his Spirit dwells in us?  Each of us.  No holy man needed to intervene for us.

And when he dwells in us we receive all the blessings that used to occur in the temple.

• Forgiveness

• Guidance

• Presence

• Peace

• Acceptance

• Eternal life

• Power

There are reasons to meet with other believers—support, fellowship, encouragement.

So going to church should be about loving and helping each other not receiving God’s power.  We already have that.

What has been your experience in attending church?