I Do Not Like Going To Church

I do not feel close to God in church. To me, it is a waste of time. I feel close to God when I pray alone to him. When I pray to Him, I feel like we are having a conversation. But when I am in church, I feel annoyed and basically...just in a gigantic room of people. I know it sounds like a bad thing that I don't like church...but isn't it true that some people prefer to have a close and private relationship with God?

Is there something wrong with me? My mom says its "evil" that I don't like church. I told her everything I said here, and she said I sound evil. Those words hurt. Am I evil?

I have tried listening to everything our pastor says, I listen intently, I do. I don't just sit there staring off into space. I try, I really do! But no matter what, church just feels like an hour-long lecture.
 
I do not feel close to God in church. To me, it is a waste of time. I feel close to God when I pray alone to him. When I pray to Him, I feel like we are having a conversation. But when I am in church, I feel annoyed and basically...just in a gigantic room of people. I know it sounds like a bad thing that I don't like church...but isn't it true that some people prefer to have a close and private relationship with God?

Is there something wrong with me? My mom says its "evil" that I don't like church. I told her everything I said here, and she said I sound evil. Those words hurt. Am I evil?

I have tried listening to everything our pastor says, I listen intently, I do. I don't just sit there staring off into space. I try, I really do! But no matter what, church just feels like an hour-long lecture.
Do you feel close to God when reading Bible?
 
Yes, when I pray to him and tell him how thankful I am that he gave us our son. I tell him how grateful i am that he loves us so
 
I do not feel comfortable around so many people. I have problems with anxiety, and in crowds, even though church doesnt seem like a crowd...i get nervous. And i like praying and talking to God myself, not listening to someone talk for an hour. I am a good listener, but I find it very difficult for me to sit there still for an hour.
 
I do not feel comfortable around so many people. I have problems with anxiety, and in crowds, even though church doesnt seem like a crowd...i get nervous. And i like praying and talking to God myself, not listening to someone talk for an hour. I am a good listener, but I find it very difficult for me to sit there still for an hour.
Unless the Church is treating you not well, you might have to change your perspective on Church.. Remember, Church is a body of believers.. Jesus brings together the Church for edification of its members.. For anxiety problems, it is better to reach to them more and more.. I will remember you in my prayers.. There could be people who can give better advice.. But I will pray for you
 
OP - First of all, I hope you know it is not 'evil' to feel the way you do about being in church.

Secondly, why don't you try to find online sermons to listen to. While there are quacks out there who have posted their messages online, there are many Godly men out there. Try blueletterbible.com or growingchristians.org. These 2 sites are rock solid in their theology.

Maybe you could consider taking some sort of anti-anxiety medicine. Medicine is not always the answer, but it can help.

God bless. Ask Him to help with your anxiety! :D
 
Thank you! I will check those two sites out. If i could replace going to church with some alone time, relaxing with a hot cup of tea while listening to a sermon...that would help me out a lot. :)
 
Thank you! I will check those two sites out. If i could replace going to church with some alone time, relaxing with a hot cup of tea while listening to a sermon...that would help me out a lot. :)
Well the point in church also is to have fellowship while you are around so many other believers in your community so I would say not going doesn't sound like a great idea. Are you friends with anyone in the church or involved in church activities outside of the services?
 
Yes, our family has friends in the church, but they are all adults with kids way younger than me. I used to be involved in sunday school every morning before the service, but they do not run sunday school in the summertime, and it was way too far below my maturity level. I am all for real, serious conversations...not crafts or playing games. I am a very mature person, I believe. Everyone I know says that.
 
Yes, our family has friends in the church, but they are all adults with kids way younger than me. I used to be involved in sunday school every morning before the service, but they do not run sunday school in the summertime, and it was way too far below my maturity level. I am all for real, serious conversations...not crafts or playing games. I am a very mature person, I believe. Everyone I know says that.
Your profile says you are 15, so if you get a car when you're 16 then maybe you could drive to a different church with a stronger youth group? In the meantime you could volunteer and teach the younger kids or something at your church? That could be a very rewarding experience. I suggest talking to your pastor about your situation too, he might be able to tell you of good Christian high-school groups nearby or something.
 
I feel close to God when I pray alone to him. When I pray to Him, I feel like we are having a conversation. .

Approved by The King.

Matthew 6:6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
 
I had this problem too but not so much for anxiety reasons about being around so many people, but just the feeling of the preacher not making God's Word interesting enough for me. I also felt that the majority of people who went to Church just go there to go, having no intention of trying to change their lives and let the Spirit take control if they were in fact saved at all (I was filled with pride and judgment). My outlook on Church has done a complete 180. Church provides fellowship which is extremely important in our walk and growth in the Lord. Fellowship keeps us humble and allows us to ask for help from fellow brothers and sisters in our times of need as well as doing the same for them. Also keep in mind Matthew 18:20 - "for wherever two or three people join in my name, I am there among them".
 
I do not feel close to God in church. To me, it is a waste of time. I feel close to God when I pray alone to him. When I pray to Him, I feel like we are having a conversation. But when I am in church, I feel annoyed and basically...just in a gigantic room of people. I know it sounds like a bad thing that I don't like church...but isn't it true that some people prefer to have a close and private relationship with God?

Jesus Christ is in you & is with you always. FYI

Matthew 28:20..............lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

That is what Jesus Christ had meant when answering that Samaritan woman at the well that believers will not need to go to the mountains or to the Temple at Jerusalem to worship God for once they have been saved by Jesus Christ, we can come to God the Father in worship of Him by honouring & glorifying the Son in worship any where we want for He is with us always.

1 Corinthians 1:9God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Is there something wrong with me? My mom says its "evil" that I don't like church. I told her everything I said here, and she said I sound evil. Those words hurt. Am I evil?

No. You are not evil. Some may see that as forsaking the assembly, but that is considered as a manner of some, not an evil.

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 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 if the church is involved in practising iniquity or not reproving iniquity, leave the assembly.

Ephesians 5:11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

1 John 1:6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

I have tried listening to everything our pastor says, I listen intently, I do. I don't just sit there staring off into space. I try, I really do! But no matter what, church just feels like an hour-long lecture.

That happens to alot of believers, I suspect. You can always hold a Bible Study & fellowship group with your peers in your home as per your parents' permission, of course.

As it is, lean on Jesus Christ as your Good Shepherd in discerning every message that the preacher is giving. Not every message given is Biblical. Pastors can make mistakes too. It is the job of the elders to correct him, but they may be daydreaming too.

With his help, prove everything by the scripture as kept by those that loved Him & His words in the King James Bible provided at this link.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/

Make sure it is set at King James Version ( KJV ) as sometimes the computer may reset that to the NIV at Bible Gateway.

You can trust Jesus Christ as your Good Shepherd to guide you just as you have trusted Jesus Christ as your Saviour that He has saved you.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. 23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 25 Brethren, pray for us.

2 Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Ephesians 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. 8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
 
I do not feel close to God in church. To me, it is a waste of time. I feel close to God when I pray alone to him. When I pray to Him, I feel like we are having a conversation. But when I am in church, I feel annoyed and basically...just in a gigantic room of people. I know it sounds like a bad thing that I don't like church...but isn't it true that some people prefer to have a close and private relationship with God?

Is there something wrong with me? My mom says its "evil" that I don't like church. I told her everything I said here, and she said I sound evil. Those words hurt. Am I evil?

I have tried listening to everything our pastor says, I listen intently, I do. I don't just sit there staring off into space. I try, I really do! But no matter what, church just feels like an hour-long lecture.
I feel distracted in church as well. I really don't like the preaching atmosphere.

I wouldn't be all that concerned about it. Try to find a Bible study group instead. That may be more to your liking.
 
I do not feel close to God in church. To me, it is a waste of time. I feel close to God when I pray alone to him. When I pray to Him, I feel like we are having a conversation. But when I am in church, I feel annoyed and basically...just in a gigantic room of people. I know it sounds like a bad thing that I don't like church...but isn't it true that some people prefer to have a close and private relationship with God?

Don't discount that God may be drawing YOU to learn how to find the right place for YOU......
The right place for you NOW may not be the right place for you when you are 40 and have a family......

When I was younger - I was involved with the youth group in our church... Loved it, and got LOTS out of it... but the actual "Church" itself was a total waste of time.....

Then - I went to College... I was involved with a very active Christian group... Loved it... Got lots out of it.... but it took me a LONG time to find a Church I actually liked and got something out of....

So.... Here's the thing...
Find a "Place" where You can
Worship God
Be active in fellowship with fellow believers
Hear the Word of God
Be active in service helping others...

You might find out that NONE of that happens inside Sunday Morning Church.....
You might end up at a local Small Group Bible Study to get fed by the word....
You might end up at a local Outreach organization to worship....
You might end up at a local Homeless shelter to Serve.....

BUT... You ARE "Doing" Church..... You just aren't sitting a pew, rotting into the cushions....

Thanks
 
Your feelings are not unusual and you are not 'evil'. A church is for Christian fellowship, and to build up and support the Christian community. I encourage you to look around and experience the churches in your area to find one you are comfortable with, and one that helps you grow in your faith. My wife and I, including our children (now ages 16 and 20) have attended five different churches within two different denominations, in our 24 years of marriage. Keep searching and keep the faith - I will pray for you. :)
 
I feel distracted in church as well. I really don't like the preaching atmosphere.

I wouldn't be all that concerned about it. Try to find a Bible study group instead. That may be more to your liking.
I get more fellowship out of this forum and gatherings in homes than any building solely dedicated to the idea.

The King did the same, going out to people and into their homes to teach and fellowship.
 
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