Faith

Nearly Half of Churchgoing Americans Say Church Doesn’t Have an Effect on Their Lives

Church is widely regarded as a regular action that can assist one in cultivating his or her faith, while subsequently experiencing personal benefits. While this characterization may hold validity for some, there’s a new study out that shows that, for nearly half of attendees, church isn‘t doing anything to impact or change individuals’ lives.

According to the Barna Group, an evangelical company that studies faith in America, nearly half (46 percent) of churchgoing Americans report that their lives have not changed at all as a result of attending church. While this is startling, 26 percent of individuals who reported having been to church before said that their lives had been changed or impacted “greatly” by the experience; 25 percent said that church was “somewhat” influential.

Church Experiences Are Lacking for Millions of American Christians | Barna Group

In addition to seeking changes in life, individuals also attend church so that they can connect with God. Most people do, indeed, feel like they have had “a real and personal connection” with the Almighty while sitting in the pews. Despite this majority find, nearly one-third of individuals report not having ever felt God’s presence while attending church. Barna has more:

One-third of all adults in the country report connecting with God at least monthly (35%) via a congregational setting. Among those who attend church every week, 44% said they experience God’s presence every week and 18% do so on a monthly basis.

There’s no doubt that Christians — like adherents of other faiths — go to church so that they can educate themselves on their faith, while building a relationship with God. One’s life, in the context of faith, likely won‘t change if he or she doesn’t better grasp the tenets of the system which they are a part of.

Church Experiences Are Lacking for Millions of American Christians | Barna Group

Considering the large portion of churchgoers who felt no impact on their lives as a result of attending, the fact that most people can‘t recall gaining new spiritual insights isn’t entirely surprising. Six-in-ten church attenders, when asked to recount their last visit to a house of worship, couldn’t remember any significant insight they gained related to their faith. Even more startling, among those who attended church in the past week, half said that they couldn’t recall any spiritual tidbits.

These results offer an overall picture that should concern pastors and faith leaders, but there were some positives. The majority of people feel connected to their church community. Additionally, people see their churches as caring for and being engaged with the poor — an important facet of Biblical teaching.

Barna Group president David Kinnaman reports that many Christians do, indeed, see the benefits that churches offer of connecting with God and other believers.

“Yet, the research results are also a reminder that faith leaders cannot take these things for granted,” Kinnaman said. “Millions of active participants find their church experiences to be lacking.”

(H/T: Huffington Post)

Comments (188)

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  • klevalt
    Posted on January 16, 2012 at 10:16am

    I realized some time ago that when I went to church, I was looking to “get filled up” and “ready for the week to come”. In other words, I looked to be a recipient… And though God does fill me up, it is NOT only on Sundays… I LOVE my church. I NOW go to Sunday Gatherings, and am in Church ALL week long. Church is the group of people who come together in the name of Christ… wherever they are, whenever they do it. We are people in the community, doing the work of the Lord that others may withness and come to Him because they saw Him through us, through the work, through the giving and through our example (as imperfect as we may be).

    Report Post » klevalt  
    • chicago76
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 10:57am

      God wants his Church to gather together. He does not expect us to leave our humanity at the door. If we could all be saints simply by walking in the door there would be no reason for the Church.

      Report Post »  
    • carbonyes
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:19am

      If Americans are going to church and it is not changing their lives, they are:

      1. Not in a real church.
      2. They are not listening and applying what they are hearing in a real church.
      3. They are in a real church, but they have yet to meet Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

      Report Post »  
    • Pigpen
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:41am

      Hmmmm, let us apply a dose of common sense to the thesis: Churchgoers get up early on their day off and most will have to dress up either as nice or nicer than they do on their average workday and sit on a wooden pew for at least an hour… Now, how exactly is Churchgoing NOT affecting their lives? They do this every Sunday they have off and it is NOT a real indicator of how much Religion is having an affect on the LIVES? I smell propaganda! Who did this study? OH, an EVANGELICAL COMPANY did this study! They “study” churches. Now I just BET that this company ALSO does CONSULTATIVE work for churches i.e. “…now for a nominal fee, we who did this helpful study will help you and your pastor make church much more memorable for your parishioners blah blah blah KACHING!”

      Report Post » Pigpen  
    • Vechorik
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:08pm

      Voters often choose presidential candidates based on religion, whether they admit it, or not:

      Breaking news: Karen Santorum Living with Abortion Doctor Before Rick

      http://inyourfaceradio.net/karen-santorum-living-with-abortion-doctor-before-rick/

       
    • memyselfandi
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:14pm

      I contend that the reason why the Church and Christianity as a whole is in the condition it is in is because Christians don’t understand the Bible, therefore, they don’t read it at all, and because of this they behave just like the non-believers do.

      The power to live the Christian life comes from understanding the doctrine of the indwelling Spirit of God and not from your own ability to be good. 90% of Christians don’t know this and they don’t know where in the Bible to find this teaching and they struggle with the “lust of the flesh” and that failure falls directly on Church leaders.

      Christianity is a spiritual growth process that parallels physical growth. Christians are “born again” as new born spiritual babies and must be fed “the sincere milk of the word”, but everyone knows that you can’t feed a new born child milk very long or it will be mal-nourished. The child’s eating habits change as they grow and after a period of time they begin to eat meat and vegetables and then WOW…do they ever grow!!! Christians aren’t eating solid food and their growth is underdeveloped as a result.

      If I ask the average Christian to give me a chapter by chapter overview of any book in the New Testament, let’s say…Romans or Ephesians or Colossians for example, I’ll bet that 99% of the Christians who read this post can’t do it.

      That is why the Church has become ineffective and irrelevant in the world today.

      Report Post »  
    • 4truth2all
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:33pm

      Yo Carbonyes:
      You quite simply covered it …quite simply usually does.

      Report Post »  
    • your sensei
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:54pm

      KLEVALT . . .”I realized some time ago that when I went to church, I was looking to “get filled up” ”

      Catholic, eh?

      Report Post » your sensei  
    • maccow
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 1:00pm

      @MemyselfandI
      I concur, and Carbonyes also nails it.
      I sit in a Church every Sunday and I hear the love of Jesus preached with no cavalry context witch is the bases for that love. In my opinion, much of today’s church is lukewarm and watered down so as not to offend or risk sounding judgmental. Few are the pastors with the courage and adeptness to preach sin, sin crucified, and then tie it up with faith by grace. Instead we get a God who doesn’t judge, a Holy Spirit that doesn’t convict, a social justice jesus, and an empty cross.
      Revivals and great awakenings aren’t sparked by happy, smiley, Christianees, but rather by true conviction straight from the Word of God.

      Report Post » maccow  
    • 00gabooga
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 1:21pm

      Like anything else, you get out of it what you put into it. Christmas and Easter Mass are my favorite annual events, but also my least favorite, only because church is PACKED with people who only go twice a year. I‘m glad they’re there, but we should be running out of room EVERY Sunday. I don‘t believe you NEED to go to church to receive God’s grace, but people who only go when it’s convenient, or even those who show up regularly only to go through the motions, are simply not ready to receive the benefits of worship.

      There‘s a reason there’s no drive thru window for the Eucharist!!

      Report Post » 00gabooga  
    • maccow
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 1:23pm

      @MemyselfandI
      I love how the Spirit works. For the last four days I have been working on a project that answers your challenge. This is what any Christian is capable of doing with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This is a short excerpt from the 14 pages I have come up with in just the last four days.
      I encourage all Christians to make God’s word your number one past time.The law convict us of sin
      Romans 2:15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves [their] thoughts accusing or else excusing them
      Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? [Is] the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”
      Romans 7:13 Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin …. so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful.
      The law cannot save
      Romans 3:20 because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.
      Hebrews 7: for the law made nothing perfect
      The law leaves us condemned
      Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
      (Continued)

      Report Post » maccow  
    • maccow
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 1:25pm

      (Continued)1 Timothy 1:8-9 But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners…
      Man as a sinner under the law
      Proverbs 10:16 The labor of the righteous [leads] to life, The wages of the wicked to sin.
      Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; ….
      Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
      Sin results in death
      Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin [is] death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
      God’s will judge sin
      Proverbs 11:4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death.
      Acts 17:30-31 “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness …
      Hebrews 10:31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
      Man’s need for a Savior
      Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
      John 3:19 “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
      (Continued)

      Report Post » maccow  
    • maccow
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 1:28pm

      (Continued)Jesus is Salvation
      Isaiah 53:5 But He [was] wounded for our transgressions, [He was] bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace [was] upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
      Galatians 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed [is] everyone who hangs on a tree”
      John 3:14-15 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.”
      Jesus is the only way
      John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
      2 John 1:9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.
      The Last Word
      Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

      For any who hate this kind of posting on a public forum, know that it is the Word of God who you are contending with and not men. So good luck with that.

      May you be blessed in Christ Jesus

      Report Post » maccow  
    • ASERVANTSHEART
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 1:33pm

      The church is not about attendance. The church is not about the numbers. The church is about teaching others to be servants of Christ.People do not want to serve, they want to be served. They do not want to practice, they want to be apart of something that makes them feel good. A lot of people come to church to get a feeling and they love the show. The church has unfortunately become a big time business with big time names. The church is a body of believers. I am a part of a group of all non-paid staff. I was told by someone that I need to be preaching more about faith, hope and love. I told this brother that this is the milk and honey of the word. The “church” is for teaching the Word, the meat, which comes down to how do we “obey” our risen Saviour. There are two types of Christians. Those who try to live like Christ (because He was perfect, we can try) and those don’t. Living like Christ means giving up the lusts of the flesh and following a narrow path. The church today looks to much like the world today. When we are finally willing to seperate ourselves from our selfish desires, and be servants at home, in the work place and at church, then, Christ will be glorified. Remember, sin is one thing only, not drugs, not alcohol, but complete selfishness. Adam said I want what Eve. Eve said I want what God has. Sin is selfishness. The total opposite of selfishness, is Gods perfect love, complete and utter unselfishness that He would give up His Son for us.

      Report Post »  
    • TiltingWindmills
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 1:35pm

      Thank you Klevalt for putting it so well.

      Report Post » TiltingWindmills  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 1:40pm

      You, all 3 of you got it right. At some point, you stop feeding a baby milk and give it the teaching of solid food. The more I learn about the Bible, the more I want to know. Read and pray for knowledge.

      Report Post »  
    • pavepaws
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 8:18pm

      @carbonyes,@klevalt,@chicago76. Thanks

      Report Post »  
    • TRUTHSENSE
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 10:12pm

      CARBONYES, You said what I was thinking, but in much fewer words. A large percentage of pastors and churches can’t offer anything of spiritual value because they have no relationship with God themselves. Some Christians are so worldly their hearing is dulled and yes, many others refuse to allow Jesus to be Lord and Savior of their lives, therefore they cannot have that personal relationship that God wants to have with them. Folks, He may be knocking on your door. Repent and invite Him in.

      Report Post » TRUTHSENSE  
    • closetotheedge
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 12:14pm

      “ My people perish for lack of wisdom” and everytime you get into reading His Word ,you will always be blessed. We know we’re in the end times as spoken ,people of all walks can’t miss the heavy spirit in the air and all the prophecies pointing to this time, time-line events simular to one anothers‘ beleifs’ But only in the Bible do we find the prophets to be batting 1,000% so far. The apostasy of the Laodesien church,time present,lukewarm,no need to lay so much on them,don’t talk about sin,but how you can feel better,hearing pleasent words easy to live with.No cross,no blood or torture . The Dead Sea Scrolls contained various books of the Bible and the Scroll of Isaiah when opened and read, was word-for-word with what we have today,and the prophecies in Issaiah for Israel,the time leading to Jesus birth,what He did,said,and most in His final 3 years to the Cross.If 2500yrs prior to Jesus, Issaiah was given these 100′s of things He fullfilled in His life, you can be very secure in the rest of the Word of God.Seek Him while He may be found. Mat 24 It’s here. Love and hug your wives and husbands, your children,all your family and turn to God, a humble and contrite heart He shall not cast away. It’s time. Shalom, A Christian Patriot

      Report Post »  
    • VII
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 7:56pm

      if Church doesn’t have an effect on their lives, many may want to try and study the bible for a few hours a day. Not just read but take notes and apply it to life.
      try to study the teachings of Jesus Christ search your heart, mind, and life for things he tells us not to do and fix them bit by bit. one thing i hear alot, “no one can be perfect”, or “you will always sin”. Does that mean we give up on trying to please our Father?
      as Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery
      john 8:11 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

      colossians 3:12-13 12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

      Report Post »  
  • cessna152
    Posted on January 16, 2012 at 10:14am

    99% of our relationship with God happens with our personal time with him. Reading his word, praying, learning. However, we need fellowship and accountability from others within the Church to keep us on track.

    Report Post » cessna152  
    • rdietz7
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:24am

      Listen to Praise music from Phil Wickham.

      Report Post » rdietz7  
    • GdHUs
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 2:22pm

      You got it right, CESSNA. When we do these things we send a message to God that we’re serious about truly following Him. And He is faithful to respond in kind because He promised us He would. We then receive God’s Holy Spirit which gives us the power to overcome the weaknesses our carnal nature never could. With this inner power a person is then able to live like a true Christian and going to church becomes real life changing experience.

      Report Post » GdHUs  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on January 16, 2012 at 10:13am

    If that 50% keeps coming and listening and reading their Bibles and asking God for help in effecting their lives, He will change their lives. My wife and I were in church yesterday at the traditional service in the sanctuary and a couple came in late and sat behind us, when the music started again they both popped the top on cans of coke. I’m guessing they were in the 50%.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • gperky
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 10:37am

      That’s one of the problems with church today; it has become a show like going to the movies. It must have big name muscians and specials to keep people motivated. It also has to be “Hip” and geared to attract the young crowd or else the parents will take their family somewhere else. Church is not what it used to be. My wife and I got so tired of seeing people walk in with shorts, flip flops and a Starbucks, that we quit going. We have been looking for a church that feeds the soul and allow you to contribute. I’m not sure they have those anymore!

      Report Post » gperky  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 10:38am

      Actually those were Bud Lites, and they were watching the NFL PLAYOFF game….. On their iphones !!!

      Report Post »  
    • SREGN
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 10:38am

      At least it wasn’t a Bud.

      Report Post »  
    • Mrs. Bowers
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 10:43am

      Amazing. I wonder how God feels about us at times. God must cry constantly.

      Report Post »  
    • Brooke Lorren
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 10:46am

      If you live in the East Valley in the Phoenix area, I do know of a couple of good churches. I also know of a good church in San Diego, CA.

      Report Post »  
    • your sensei
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:55pm

      BROKKE . . . Are they black churches? I only go to black churches. God feels real there.

      Report Post » your sensei  
    • sdavidson
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 3:18pm

      @your sensei. If you only go to black churches how do you know that God is not at a white church. Whatever any of that means anyway. I live in Washington State and I am now attending a Church that is very loving. The preaching is expository and the worship is a sermon in itself with the choice of songs. It happens to be a predominently white church. What would happen if you went to a black church and did not “feel” God. Would you then leave? If a person attends Church to only feel God then they may be missing out about learning who God is. A person can get so wrapped up in the music that they are on an emotional high and believe that they “feel” God.

      I am not sure the motive your your only attending black churches post but it sounds like a stereotype.

      Report Post »  
    • proud2bmom
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 4:27pm

      GPerky, I agree that a lack of reverence for God is a problem in many places. I disagree that young families, however, are shallow for leaving a church because they don’t like the music, etc. I grew the most (so far) in my relationship with God in one of those “performance” churches. It’s all about why they worship the way they do. The music was contemporary, the children’s classes were active, engaging and {gasp} fun. Additionally, the leadership was comprised of people who deeply loved God. The pastor sought God’s heart as he prepared messages and really fleshed out the Scriptures for us. There wasn‘t a single week that I didn’t feel like God had revealed something to me, whether it was a sin I needed to repent of, a new facet of His character, the depth of His love for me, etc.

      I now attend a traditional church that you would approve of. We have wooden pews, men wear suits, we sing the 1st, 2nd and 4th verses of the hymns with a few praise choruses included. Yet I can count on one hand the number of times I have felt God speaking to me through the worship service. Sermons wander all over the place and can be boiled down to “Do the right thing because it’s the right thing”. We pray for the sick, but be sure not to get too personal about anything else you really need prayer for. I‘m only there because God has revealed to me that it’s where He wants me now. His purpose hasn’t completely unfolded yet.

      Style is no indication of the depth of a ch

      Report Post »  
    • proud2bmom
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 4:31pm

      Please be patient with those who aren’t like you. Different styles are necessary because they reach different people. Those “performance” churches, if they are truly God-focused, are just speaking in the language of the typical younger family. The same way the “traditional” church speaks to you. Neither style is more Biblical than the other. Look beyond the surface.

      Report Post »  
    • Brooke Lorren
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 7:15pm

      No sorry, I go to a church with whites, blacks, Asians, and Hispanics. The church in San Diego that I know of is like that too.

      My mother-in-law and her husband go to a black church, but I‘m not sure that they’re very happy with it, and they’re pro-Obama. They’re also not really that happy with homeschooling – when I mentioned to someone at their church that I was homeschooling they had some negative comments to say about it.

      My mother-in-law’s husband may be moving to another church to preach though, in the East Valley, to be a preacher there. I don’t know what the name of it is though. They like the “black churches”, even though he’s white. I‘ve never been to the church that they’re thinking about moving to though. I just know that it’s pretty close to the one I go to.

      I love ours. Last quarter we had a paper drive where we got enough paper to distribute a million tracts for Mexico (we have a printing press). We also have a men‘s and women’s home to help people that have gotten into a mess and are trying to straighten out their lives. Our church just celebrated its 9th anniversary, and we already have started two other churches, and are working on starting a third.

      Report Post »  
  • willbedone
    Posted on January 16, 2012 at 10:03am

    I am not a member of any church, nor do I attend on a regular basis anywhere. To paraphrase Too many churches are “asleep at the pulpit”. If this is so, then that could be the reason so many people have no real experience with our Creator.

    Yahweh’s “called out ones” are in place to draw out those willing to return to the ancient paths. You will find these “called out ones” in all sorts of places, including apostate churches, social and entertainment facilites among many others. In short a “pew warmer” may not have a REAL experience with the Creator of the Universe, and a “Park Bench warmer” may.

    Shalom

    Report Post » willbedone  
    • HDYLMN
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 10:38am

      Attending church has more to do with worship of Christ rather than what it is now which is worship of self.

      “If we spend all of our time worshiping and fixated on the people, we start to feel superior to those around us. One of the seminal moments in my conversion was hearing a longtime friend and anti-Catholic say, “The reason I never go to church is because I have yet to find a church that is worthy of my presence.” Hearing that abject arrogance and pride – and then realizing that sentiment was actually my position too, only dared to be spoken aloud – was like getting punched in the stomach by Mike Tyson.” – Ann Barnhardt

      Go to Barnhardt.biz for the entire post.

      Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:57am

    Having been on the inside of the churches from the Pastoral position on down they have explained most reasons for me in this manner:

    1. Fear of losing their position for giving the ‘wrong message’ to their congregations.
    2. Social pressure to conform to the political correct messages.
    3. Using the churches to press their own positions in local politics.

    These are the MAIN reasons. They are among other reasons I became an indepedant preacher that will do as GOD wants, not what man wants unless the will of God and Man are one and the same – salvation and redemtion

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • thegrassroots
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 10:55am

      IF A Church Teaches Chapter and Verse Right Out Of The Bible, People Will Recognize Truth When They Hear It and They Will Come.

      Unfortunately, too many “churches” are abandoning Truth for cultural relevance and political correctness. Therefore, people are dropping in and out of churches like they’re just another fast food drive thru chain.

      People don’t need a church to connect with God. Jesus is just as near as our thoughts and He meets us right where we’re at. We also have the Bible, The Living Word Of God, easily available to everyone. Anyone wanting to know about Our Heavenly Father and The Son [Jesus] He Sent To Save Us only has to pick up a Bible and read.

      A lot of Christians are so fed up with “church,” they are forming home Bible studies, returning to how the early Christians met in homes, as talked about in the Book Of Acts.

      Be Aware People — just because an organization claims to be a “church,” that doesn’t mean it is rightly representing The Word Of God. If a “church” is saying that the Bible is “irrelevant” or is teaching anything that runs counter to Scripture — Walk Out And Don’t Look Back! Don’t Be Deceived!

      Report Post »  
    • MetalPatriot
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:25am

      @snowleapard

      You know, I really like my pastor‘s messages but he’s even said in a few of the messages that he has to be “careful” because some of the members write him nasty letters/emails or will yell at him. It’s interesting in that his messages are very conservative.

      It makes me wonder what type of person goes to church and gets angry but won’t change churches. There’s at least 5 within one mile of ours.

      About the artical: Be wary in that the actual demographics and numbers of the study group aren’t shown. Stats without facts. Makes a good lead line.

      Also: In my own experience, if you want to get something from church you can, if you don’t want to be there…you won’t. Guess we all just need to decide what we truly want. Yes, there’s people that are “better” than us materially and spiritually. It’s hard to overcome those inadequacy feelings, but it’s worth it to try.

      Not quite sure why this artical was posted or what was hoped to be gained by the original author.

      Report Post » MetalPatriot  
    • thegrassroots
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 1:09pm

      @metalpatriot

      If your pastor is choosing to please men rather than please God [Galatians1:8-12], he has no business calling himself a “pastor.” Maybe he should read thru Paul’s letters if he needs to know what a Christian looks like, what a pastor looks like.

      A lot of responsibility goes along with claiming to be a pastor / teacher. If he isn’t rightly representing The Word Of God, he’s a wolf-in-sheeps’-clothing. Nothing good is said, in the Bible, about those fake teachers.

      If he continues on, he needs to keep in mind that he will be standing before Jesus someday and explaining how he cowered under “nasty” letters, rather than speaking only God’s Truth, letting the chips fall where they will. Wouldn‘t want to be in that guy’s shoes!

      Report Post »  
    • MetalPatriot
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:59pm

      It’s not as bad as all that. He doesn’t compromise on the Gospel or the Old Testament. He just feels restrained about some of the political issues. He’s patriotic & there might be a few that don’t want that in church. He gets the point across albeit subtlely. I didn’t mean to misrepresent our pastor. He’s conservative & it shows yet he tries not to alienate the few liberals that attend. That’s all I meant to say. Sorry for any confusion.

      Report Post » MetalPatriot  
  • SREGN
    Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:56am

    Many view church as just part of the weekly checklist, like another chore. The fact that they endured the hour makes them view themselves as somehow pious. They will seek out a church that accomodates that. There are many. What saves is a personal relationship with Christ, not attendence or the performance of rituals. Once one has a personal relationship, a good church provides a support network, a place to grow, and some like-minded friends.

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  • Raisingmy3boysright
    Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:50am

    Jesus never said to go to church, He said to BE the church. God should be a part of your life DAILY, not just on Sunday for the hour in church. Plus, I hate to say it, but I have looked into different churches to find the right fit and it is very hard to find. I wish more Pastors would be more of a fire and brimstone type church rather than the warm, fill your heart with joy type church. Unfortunately, they feel if they tell the truth they will lose their tax exemptions that they get. Many churches I have been to seems more of a meeting place to see friends/family than to go to church and learn. Last night I did notice a few cell phones going off during the service and people playing with their smart phones.

    Report Post » Raisingmy3boysright  
    • usaywhat
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 10:22am

      I’m following supermom.(you) Love your pic. You must have asked for wisdom, and got it. Good for you, and good for us. We are to “BE” the church. What I like about the examples written in the book of Acts, is they got together once a week in someone’s home, had a good meal, prayed over each other and did supernatural healings and miracles. Some non-Christian scholars of the time, said there were so many healings from these gatherings, that non-believers were drawn to the church for the miracles and healings. Now, That is “being” the church. Walk’n the walk, not talk.

      Report Post »  
    • rdietz7
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:34am

      That’s Wonder Woman, not Supergirl! LOL So she would be Wonder Mom.

      Report Post » rdietz7  
  • lajari
    Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:47am

    I would expect that many of those polled go to mainstream, denominational (once a Lutheran/Catholic – always a Lutheran/Catholic) ritualistic based church services that they have probably been at since they were children. There are exciting things happening in many churches – seek and ye shall find.

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    • angelcat
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 10:15am

      What can be more exciting than in being in the presence of Jesus through the Eucharist. If you really pay attention to the Mass and understand it, each Mass is exciting and relevant. The problem is that people either haven’t eductated themselves or just let their minds wonder – or except to be “excited” in the secular sense of the word. You can’t just sit back and expect God to do all the work.

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    • sonseeker
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 10:23am

      you need to include “IF you seek Me with all your heart.” It is not just a cursory glanse, you needto really work at it, but it is worth the trouble.

      Report Post » sonseeker  
    • beckisnutsisnuts
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 1:54pm

      ANGELCAT wrote: ‘What can be more exciting than in being in the presence of Jesus through the Eucharist’

      Because that is not the truth of scripture and I suspect even most Catholics know it in thier heart. Jesus is always present in our hearts. The ‘eucharist’ bunk was invented by the early catholics to give the priest a greater role and to elevate him to something he is not. Shameful.

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    • We are Americans
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 6:06pm

      Then he took the bread and broke it and said
      Eat it. This is my body. Do this in memory of me

      Isn’t that part of scripture?
      What is a shame is calling out other Christians.

      Judge not. Their are many paths to Christ.
      He is always looking for His lost sheep. He’s in your
      heart. If you let Him

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    • beckisnutsisnuts
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:23pm

      It is a misinterpretation of scripture. It is a symbolic representation, not literal, and a reasonable interpretation of scripture bears that out (of course, according to the Roman church, only ‘they’ are authorized to interpret it properly, lol for that one). As far as calling out other Christians, that would be fine if the Roman church didn’t attempt to monopolize the Christian faith from the start with false doctrines. Are bible believing Chritians supposed to sit back and allow God’s word to be desecrated so? It is wholly corrupt, and it’s corrupt leaders will be so judged.

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    • jesustheway
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 8:38pm

      This interpretation agrees perfectly with the conduct of the hearers and the attitude of Christ regarding their doubts and objections. Again, the murmuring of the Jews is the clearest evidence that they had understood the preceding words of Jesus literally (John 6:53). Yet far from repudiating this construction as a gross misunderstanding, Christ repeated them in a most solemn manner, in John (6:54 sqq.). In consequence, many of His Disciples were scandalized and said: “This saying is hard, and who can hear it?” (John 6:61); but instead of retracting what He had said, Christ rather reproached them for their want of faith, by alluding to His sublimer origin and His future Ascension into heaven. And without further ado He allowed these Disciples to go their way (John 6:62 sqq.). Finally He turned to His twelve Apostles with the question: “Will you also go away?
      (from The Catholic Encyclopedia)

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    • jesustheway
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 3:00pm

      The impossibility of a figurative interpretation is brought home more forcibly by an analysis of the following text: “Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed: and my blood is drink indeed” (John 6:54-56). It is true that even among the Semites, and in Scripture itself, the phrase, “to eat some one’s flesh”, has a figurative meaning, namely, “to persecute, to bitterly hate some one”. If, then, the words of Jesus are to be taken figuratively, it would appear that Christ had promised to His enemies eternal life and a glorious resurrection in recompense for the injuries and persecutions directed against Him. The other phrase, “to drink some one’s blood”, in Scripture, especially, has no other figurative meaning than that of dire chastisement (cf. Isaiah 49:26; Apocalypse 16:6); but, in the present text, this interpretation is just as impossible here as in the phrase, “to eat some one’s flesh”. Consequently, eating and drinking are to be understood of the actual partaking of Christ in person, hence literally.
      (from The Catholic Encyclopedia)

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  • spairhair
    Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:43am

    This kind of says it all…isn’t too bad we have become better at being self absorbed. Its God’s word that never changes, unfortunately most of mankind has.

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    • db321
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 10:35am

      I‘ve blame the Pastors across the US for not feeding it’s flock.

      18 years ago – I found a Church that teaches right out of the Bible – and this Pastor doesn’t Sugar coat the word of God. In fact 18,000 show up every Sunday, and when he teaches from the Bible the Devil gets mad and God is glad.

      A Demonic Witch sent one of her followers to shoot our Pastor with a hand gun during Sunday Service, This man fired 6 shots at point blank range at our Pastor who was yelling at the man – this is God’s House and I command you, in the Name of Jesus, to leave this Building. The man didn‘t and he told our Pastor to say your prayers I’m going to start Shooting on the count of three. The man lied – he starting firing after his first count.

      This would have been enough to send most pastors running for the hills. Our Pastors continues to get into his Office at 7:00am, meditates for two hours, and spends the rest of his day preparing the message to feed his flock during his 3 Sunday Sermons. His sermons are so powerful that it blows Satan’s wig back.

      If your in a Church that the only food your getting is from a Casserole that some little old lady brought in, then I would suggest for you not to Walk, but Run and find a Church that teaches the word of God.

      Investigators put a Mannikin where the man stood and tied string to the holes in the curtain behind where the Pastor Stood. Conclusion – God sent an Angle to stand in front of our Pastor and not one bullet hits it

      Report Post » db321  
    • oneshiner
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:13am

      DB321. loved your post.

      Report Post »  
  • BOMUSTGO
    Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:36am

    If your church don’t change your life, you need to change churches!

    Report Post » BOMUSTGO  
    • db321
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 10:40am

      Don’t look for a Church that “goes along to get along” – look for a Church that preaches from the Word of God. Here is the Test – If you voted for Obama – your in the wrong Church – Period! Get Out! Your not listening to God!

      Report Post » db321  
    • oneshiner
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:01am

      Easier said than done. Years ago I gave 10 years to a church I kept waiting to get better, but it never did. Sure, it was a big new facility, but if I wanted a show, I’d go to the movies. I guess I was judging it by the church I went to in another state, where we learned about God and underlined scriptures so we could go back and study. We learned about the Lord! It was gathering ourselves together, in like mind, to learn and worship our Lord & Savior.

      Some years ago, I began going to different churches, trying to find a home who was feeding the people with the word of God. Some were friendly but had no message, some weren’t even friendly, others you’d walk out and wonder what the heck was that all about?

      Maybe it sounds critical, but I‘m not going to church just to appease man’s thinking or be seen by others. I go to gather with like minded people who care about each other, want to learn more about God and worship Him.
      I honestly get more out of many TV and radio ministries. Not all, but some. When your heart is touched, you know it’s right. Church isn’t a building; people can gather anywhere to worship.
      We’re not perfect, not all churches are perfect, we all sin and come short of the Glory.

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    • db321
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:32pm

      Oneshiner – I agree with you – keep doing what you are doing – go where God leads.

      Here is a question to thank about and ask your Pastor. The question may peel back your toe nails back, but it helps you find the truth so be it!

      Just how heavy were the Bingo Tables Jesus turned over in the Synagogue. Answer, they weighed into the tons – Jesus was no wimp, when he witnessed the Church doing wrong or going in the wrong direction he stood up and did something about it.

      Pastors – you could teach for weeks on this one topic. Just please leave out turn the other cheek, and the good Samaritan – does not relate here. If you please the world you offend God – if your please God you offend the World.

      Report Post » db321  
  • P8riot
    Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:35am

    Its probably a safe bet that those 50% of people who‘s churches don’t effect their lives attend a church who requires no sacrifice. So many churches now days preach what is pleasing to the ear to obtain a larger congregation (thus a larger offering plate). God requires sacrifice from us to help us grow into better people – thus if these people are not growing, then they are not sacrificing.

    Report Post » P8riot  
  • stockpicker
    Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:35am

    Todays church has embraced the arminian (false) way. It’s not the preacher, program or any other man made thing that makes an impression: it’s the Holy Spirit.

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  • ZAP
    Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:33am

    for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ.[b] 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted

    Report Post » ZAP  
  • thedaddy33
    Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:27am

    What about going to church to just worship and give thanks to God?
    “If you do not eat of My flesh and drink of My blood,you have no life in you.” (the fullness of life)

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  • Highland
    Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:27am

    Try another church if you‘re not being fed at the one you’ve been attending.

    Report Post » Highland  
    • DoctorRon
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:59am

      Christians should “feed” not “be fed” if we are to live out the example of Christ.

      Report Post » DoctorRon  
  • THXll38
    Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:26am

    I am pretty sure it is a “feel” good thing.

    Report Post » THXll38  
  • calmglass
    Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:26am

    This is not all that surprising. There are a lot of churches out there where people who simply for the sake of ritual. In fact, a friend of ours go to church *only* so their daughter can go to Sunday school. It’s one of those boring denominational churches that they grew up in, so it’s all they know.

    The thing is, if you’re getting nothing out of your church, it’s time to switch churches.

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  • ACTIONNOTTALK
    Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:23am

    People are being fed WAX FRUIT by Church, Inc., and being told that it is the gospel of Christ. Looks good, tastes good, smells good, but with no nutritional value!

    Get out of the pew and leave the building and go love people! Step outside your comfort zone and you will find Jesus there, right there, and you will find friends, Christian and otherwise. In a few minutes you will find that your comfort zone has expanded (!) and includes your new friend as well. Then do it again! Talk to a homeless person. They love their kids, too. Sit with an elderly person and just chat. Visit a prisoner. Offer life and hope to the dying.

    THEN you will find your faith comes alive!!

    What you have suspected is true. THERE MUST BE MORE!

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  • hauschild
    Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:22am

    “Nearly Half of Churchgoing Americans Say Church Doesn’t Have an Effect on Their Lives”

    It’s because church services have vastly changed over the past 20 years. Now, it’s about getting bodies in, as opposed to worshiping; gotta pay those entitlements, you know, because they get funded on their own.

    Everything is so watered-down now and yet people have the stones to question why it’s all going south?!?! Wild.

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    • BOMUSTGO
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:39am

      Many are teaching social justice (methodist here where I live advertize about social justice on the radio)..Many don’t teach end time events as Jesus told us to be watching for the signs of the times.Blind leaders of the blind.. Many are called and few are chosen.

      Report Post » BOMUSTGO  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 2:01pm

      We are in the church of the Laodicean: Jesus says: ” I know thy works, that thou art neither COLD nor HOT: I would that thou wert cold or hot. So, then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue the out of my mouth.”
      WOW! This says it all for those of us who go to church to warm the seats. (Rev. 3:14)

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  • ares338
    Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:19am

    Church is not necessarily religion.

    Report Post » ares338  
  • starman70
    Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:16am

    Have you thought that maybe many pastors have abandoned the Bible? They no longer preach the true word of GOD but instead preach feel good messages intended for the “Itching ears” of those who want to be lulled into biblical complacency.

    What America needs is a fire and brimstone revival which is truly Bible based and will wake up the people and truly turn their hearts to GOD.

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    • kickagrandma
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:21am

      AMEN, Starman70!

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    • rdietz7
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:31am

      The devil could be in the heart of a pastor and a Christian could still attend the church to worship God. How can we know what is in the heart of man? Only God himself knows. This is a story of personal accountability to God so people can’t blame their neighbors, family, friends, pastors etc for not having their church attendence affect their daily life.

      Report Post » rdietz7  
    • rdietz7
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:45am

      No but seriously I agree with you. If people were preached to with the proper Theology the half of the church that gets nothing out of it would vacate the pews and run for the doors. That new addition the elders plan on building in the Spring would never properly get funded to be built.

      Report Post » rdietz7  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:21pm

      Itchy ears? My sister says many churches give a message that only tickle the ears. ha, but true.
      They are so concerned they might offend someone by preaching God‘s Word that it’s watered down for those who want a feel-good experience.
      Many lovely, large and expensive churches remind me of the tower of babel. I remember watching Billy Graham on TV years ago. He gave a simple message that touched the heart. I’d watch and bawl my eyes out from being touched by the Word of God. People in the audience would roll out and come down front because they were so touched by the simple, honest message from the Word of God, and yearned to be forgiven and saved. It was beautiful.

      Report Post »  
    • Bro. Chuck
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 1:36pm

      It‘s comin’ Bro……

      lots of folks are sensing it and stepping up to act on it…

      sincerity is replacing the “religi-ousity”

      we will see a widening gap as more and more come to understand….

      Be Bless’d

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    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 2:39pm

      This Tim Tebow thing is bringing many of us together. I think I’ve studied my Bible more in the last weeks than I have in a long time. I often look up things that come to my mind, but Tebow is setting a great example to the youth. For this, I truly love and appreciate him.
      Winning is nice, but this isn’t about himself or just winning a game. This is his way of life. What a great example and lesson he’s teaching all of us with his inspiration and belief in Jesus.

      Report Post »  
  • SheriS
    Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:16am

    This makes no sense, wonder why my church is almost full every Sunday! Are they coming to see their friends? Yes, but they also come because they believe in God and are anxious to hear a message about God and his love for each of us! But unfortunately we as Christians are under attack because we have a President who has no interest in reliegion except to try to fool the American people into believing he is a Christian—therefore we have a “false prophet” leading our country which explains why our country is not doing well! As a kid, I never understood what my Mom meant when she spoke of God in our capital—-I truly understand that now! The more we push away from God, the poorer our country will be!

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    • 4truth2all
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:40pm

      Christians are not in trouble because of the president … he is president because of our troubles (our sin).

      Report Post »  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:16am

    That‘s because way too many churches and denominations have watered down the GOSPEL OF CHRIST and GOD’s RULES FOR LIVING here on this earth to preach and teach the will of man rather than the TRUTHS OF GOD. Unfortunately, they teach acceptance of all sorts of things GOD forbade from the beginning rather than what HE said and demands if we are to follow HIM.

    Small nondenominational, Bible-based and Bible-centered “churches” are springing up all over the country, just like it was when CHRISTIANITY began. Time to return to our roots, folks.

    GOD BLESS AND PROTECT HIS KIDS, raise us up and bless us to bless others. In JESUS’ name, amen.

    Report Post »  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:14am

    Unless your an Alter Boy…. Then its life changing…

    Report Post »  
  • amerbur
    Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:05am

    Why then do they go to church?

    Report Post »  
    • Jezreel
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:31am

      Because many of them, especially the women, like the “social” aspect of the meetings etc. Also, they like to present an image of who they are that is better than what they are, and, seriously, there are some strange people that seem to love the ritualistic traditional vain repetition. The apostle Paul said, “forsake not the assemblying” of the bretheran, but, what we have today is NOT the assemblying of the saints, it is “gatherings programmed by man”. I could not stand to sit through a man’s program week after week, where man actually deceives himself that God enjoys being told when he can come and when he can appear. Jesus is on the outside knocking to get in. The institution of religeon has made a mockery of what Jesus died for and what the apostles taught.

      Report Post »  
    • Bro. Chuck
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 1:29pm

      Shalom Folks….

      Ok, I think there might be a bit of a misperception here….

      If you look at church as the place you go to fulfill some sort of obligation or duty to do your bowing and praying – showing reverance and obligatory attendance and worship……
      I think that might be why you walk away “unfullfilled”.

      It goes to the “religion” arguement -
      can we have relationship with our Creator… true One on One relationship with El Ohim as He originally intended,
      if let all the “man-made” aspects get in the way?

      what is religion….?
      what is “church”…?

      is it just a place to go where God hangs out too? His house?
      like if you go to a party you’re part of that “in” crowd?

      I agree that we see today more “churches” worried about dwindling attendance by trying to “entertain” the parishoners….
      they compromise doctrine and blurr the lines to be “inclusive” or “non-judgemental”. Hoping to woo “attendees”.

      I believe we are seeing a pouring out of His Spirit and those who are standing up and stepping out of the “main strream” religions, churches, and coingregations are doing so because it is being revealed to them that it is NOT the way…

      Our Spiritual walk is individual, not collective. Church used to be a gathering place of brethern within the community. Now? look how the community is essentially non-existant.

      When you’re in church next time – look around. How many folks do YOU know by name?

      We need to come back into

      Report Post »  
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