This blog post is all about navigating the challenge of going to church when you don’t feel like it.
So another Sunday has passed you by and you find yourself wondering about church. You think you should be going regularly, but church just doesn’t feel right. Maybe you’ve been faithfully attending every Sunday, but you aren’t able to connect with the Worship or the Message, or even the people.
Or maybe you find yourself only going every once in a while, as long as there isn’t anything else more important. Perhaps you haven’t entered the doors of the church in years (did covid close the doors on you?). But for some reason you’ve been feeling the nudge to go recently.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.
Whatever the case may be, you are wondering how to navigate the challenge of going to church when you don’t feel like it.
Childlike faith
Do you remember the carefree days of childhood? When you could frolic through fields all morning long without a care in the world, knowing that when you were done you would get a yummy snack and a cozy nap?
Do you remember the childlike faith you once had, when going to church was a joy and delight as it meant you got to see your friends and praise God with others?
What happened to the days when church was easy? When you didn’t have to worry about what everyone would think of your ripped jeans? When you didn’t have to endure the awkward “shake a friends hand right next to you before we continue singing”? What happened to being sure of your theological beliefs?
This post will help you work through the questions you may have when considering if going to church is really worth it. It will also discuss what the point of church is. As well as how to know if you are going to a good one.
Why going to church is important despite feelings
For many Christians, church is a place filled with anxiety and uncomfortability. But that’s not how it’s supposed to be. Church is meant to be a place of mutual encouragement for growing in the faith. It is designed to be a place where you can go for prayer and healing, support and accountability, friendship and fellowship. The Bible encourages meeting together regularly with fellow believers.
Hebrews 10:23-25 tells us “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing. But encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
One of the main benefits of going to church is to surround yourself with other believers who can encourage you in the faith when you need it, and you can do the same for others. Meeting together is vitally important for the Christian walk. It gives you the oppurtunity to have others to pick you up when you fall (Ecclesiastes 4:12), point out when you are going astray (James 5:13-16), and encourage you when you are running the race well (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).
Prioritizing church over other obligations
Often, Sunday roles around and we find it difficult going to church because we have other things to do. Maybe you had a long Saturday, and now you need to rest and stay in bed on Sunday. Or maybe the weather is perfect for going to the beach this Sunday. Perhaps your children are in sports and their games take you away every Sunday.
Whatever the case may be, Church should be prioritized over any other obligation or activity you may find. Why? You may be wondering. Church should be a priority because it is the body of Christ here on earth. It is the bride of Christ in Heaven. We know that God has called us to fellowship with other believers, and attending service is an amazing way to do that. On Sundays, we gather to worship the King of Kings. We hear His message and truth preached, and commune with fellow believers.
Although there may be a few obstacles to getting yourself and you family in the doors every Sunday, if you can get yourself into this spiritual discipline, you will find yourself encouraged.
Definition of church and historical context
The church is a dedicated building and meeting spot for Christian believers to gather to worship God and encourage one another in the faith. It has been around for around 2000 years. And although churches have looked different in different centuries, they hold the same purpose: spreading the good news of the Gospel.
Perhaps the best picture of an early church is found in Acts 2:42-47 where the believers met and devoted themselves to the apostles teaching – to hearing, learning, and obeying the Word of God. They broke bread with one another – which was a sign of fellowship and living live engaged with each other. They gave to those in need and took care of one another.
This is what being the hands and feet of Christ looks like: Studying the Word with other believers, digging into it and asking questions. Praying for each other. Getting to know one another – all of the struggles, hopes and fears that we all have.
Benefits of regular church attendance: Spiritual growth, community and accountability
The early Christians prioritized church because they knew of its great benefits. The first benefit to regular and involved attendance is spiritual growth. When you commit to hearing the Word of God through each weeks sermons, you will be surprised to hear what God has to say to you through His teachers and Pastors. There is also spiritual growth to be had when you open yourself up to the teaching, reproof, and correction of other believers. Christians who know the word of God and walk alongside of you will know how to speak life into you and offer correction when your actions stray from what God teaches.
This is because there is great community support when you are actively engaged in your local church community. These are all people who may not be on the same walk of life as you at the same time, but you will still find that you share so much in common as you all realize your need for a savior.
There is also accountability for believers attending the same congregation because these people have walked alongside you and know your struggles. They will know when you are struggling with sin and help you walk through it. Your fellow believers will know when you need prayer in an area of your life. They will know when you may need physical or emotional support walking through different seasons and offer it.
Exploring the conflict: faith over feelings
With all of these benefits of church attendance, what’s the big deal? Why is it still so hard to get your butt off the couch and into the pew every Sunday?
Defining faith and feelings
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see”. The chapter, which is known as the “hall of faith” gives numerous Old Testament examples of people who chose faith over feelings and did what God called them to do.
Webster dictionary describes feelings as “an emotional state or reaction.” Feelings are not pre-determined commitment based on what we know is right. They are fleeting emotions based on current circumstances.
Has there ever been a time in your life where you did not feel like doing something, but forced yourself to do it anyways and were glad you did? The same is true for attending church. There are many Sunday’s where I do not FEEL like going. But I do anyways, and I am always glad that I did.
Examining the tension between faith and feelings
If you notice that there seems to be a pattern in your life of why you don’t feel like going to church Sunday after Sunday, then examine that reason. Some of the common reasons for not feeling like attending church include busyness, burnout, doubts or struggles, and disappointment or hurt.
Busyness
A common reason for not feeling like going to Church is busyness. As a society, we have jam-packed our schedules so tightly that there never seems to be time to do anything else, let alone relax.
Related post: Slow Living | The amazing truth about finding your rest in God
Maybe it is time to take some things off of your over-full schedule so that you have time to rest in God and spend time in community with others. You might be surprised at how much going to church benefits you weekly life.
Burnout
Another common reason for not feeling like attending is you are just burnt out. Maybe you’ve been a church goer your entire life and have volunteered for a different position every time the doors are open. After years of that, it can be exhausting. Maybe you are in a tiring season right now of taking care of young kids or aging parents and you don’t have energy to give to anyone else. That’s okay! You are allowed to step down from your positions for awhile. There is a popular statistic out there that says that 20% of church-goers are doing 80% of the work. Stepping down and allowing a season of rest in your life will allow others to step up and fill those positions.
Related post: My soul finds rest in God along | The eye-opening truth
Doubts or Struggles
Maybe you have doubts about the accuracy of the Bible or your faith. So you feel like an imposter for going to church. Or maybe you are struggling with sin in your life or there are questions you are wrestling with. Whatever the case, church is actually the place for you! The Bible encourages us to work through those doubts and questions, and what better place to be that in a Bible-believing church surrounded by strong, theologically minded christians.
Disappointment or Hurt
Maybe you absolutely loved attending church until you experienced some disappointment for leadership or hurt by other congregants. If that is the case for you, I am truly sorry. I can tell you that I have been there and it left me questioning if I really wanted to continue attending a place of broken individuals.
Over time, I came to the realization that Christians are still flawed humans that are doing their best to live out the words of God, and I wanted to be right there with them. It is possible that the church that hurt you is not the right place for you anymore. If they have sinned against God and you and are unwilling or unable to reconcile what was wronged, then I encourage you to find another church who strives to hold up to Biblical teachings.
When the church doesn’t feel right
There are some times that the church itself doesn’t feel right. The Bible encourages us to test everything we hear against scriptures (1 John 4:1-6). If your church doesn’t feel right to you because the message they preach is against the Word of God, then leave and find a church that is Bible believing.
Another Gospel by Alisa Childers is a great resource if you are struggling through Biblical beliefs. Misled by Allen Parr is another great book which actually takes you through a fictional character as he is looking for a church to call home.
Cultivating a deeper understanding of faith
Although going to church is an important spiritual discipline, even more important is cultivating a deeper understanding of faith, and how it applies to everyday life. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says “we walk by faith, not by sight.” But what does that mean?
In order to walk by faith, it isn’t enough to just believe in God. James 2:19 says that “even the demons believe there is one God, and they tremble in fear.” Walking by faith means knowing the Word of God and following it. Not because you are afraid to encounter His wrath, but because you desire to please Him out of love. After all, “we love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
Grounding in theological truths
The first step in walking by faith is being grounded in theological truths. Although this may sound boring or even confusing at first, it is really quite simple. All you need to do is be in the Word of God, seeking to know the original meaning of the text. One of the best ways to faithfully read the scriptures is to read a commentary or Bible study along side your daily Bible reading.
When reading your Bible, always make sure you are not reading it to make it agree with your own current beliefs. Instead, allow the text to challenge you. After all, it is “living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). The Word of God is meant to judge YOUR thoughts and attitudes. Often, if you find yourself wrestling with a passage, it is the Holy spirit working in you to reveal truth.
Focusing on the bigger picture
Part of the reason churches do not feel worthwhile to attend is because they are not preaching the word of God. They may use a couple verses in their sermons, but take them out of context, using them to fit their own agendas. Or maybe they just “water-down” the scriptures to make them more palatable and seeker friendly. Either way, they only way for you to discern if the church is preaching the gospel message is to read the Bible for yourself and test everything you hear.
In Biblical times, there was a group of jews that did exactly that. They heard a message about God and they went back to the scriptures (which would have been the Old Testament) to see if it lined up. These Berean Jews not only tested the scriptures to see if they lined up with the word of God, but they eagerly received the message (Acts 17:11). They were so hungry for God and His Word that they looked forward to hearing more!
Practical strategies for enjoying church
Just like the Berean Jews, we should eagerly desire to hear the word of God. We should test the message that people give against the scriptures, and live it out. But it can be overwhelming and tiring in todays age to find joy in going to church. Here are a few tips to help you overcome your negative feelings and choose to live faithfully.
Establishing a routine
Practically speaking, establishing a routine is one of the best ways to get your family in the doors Sunday morning. A good morning routine always starts the night before, and that’s why you should make preparations beginning on Saturday. This step goes back to examining the “why” behind the difficulty in getting to church. If it is because your Saturday is too jam-packed, what can you say “no” to.
Maybe you can’t seem to get your family dressed and out the door. Lay out the clothes the night before and decide on an easy, go-to breakfast that doesn’t take much effort. It can also be helpful to plan Sunday lunch before hand as well. My family favorite is chicken and waffles! It’s quick, easy, and company always loves it after the service.
Finding Meaning and Purpose in Church Attendance
Church attendance will continue to be a drag for you if you can’t seem to find the meaning and purpose behind it. Take some time to prayerfully consider what God calls us to meet together (Hebrews 10:25). Study the Bible and see if you can find some benefits of regularly meeting with other Christians and studying God’s word together.
Rediscovering the purpose of church gatherings
Aside from just attending to church, consider getting involved in the other services they offer. Are you in an active Sunday school group? This is a great place to engage with believers on a deeper and more personal level, building friendships along the way. Are there Wednesday night small groups or family fun nights that you could be enjoying? Maybe your church offers summer picnics that you haven’t gotten the gumption to go to yet. Consider trying them out as a new way to build community!
Embracing the role of community in spiritual growth
Why do you need to build community, you may be wondering? Community is one of the best ways for spiritual growth! When you are in community with other believers, not only are you less likely to experience loneliness, but you are able to build life-long friendships, both for yourself and your family. Some of my best friends today are my church friends from when I was a kid.
Community also allows you to have accountability for your own personal growth. Whether it be reading the Bible and doing weekly Bible studies, or allowing others to see your daily struggles so they can encourage you. There are so many benefits to building community in your local church, especially when it comes to spiritual growth.
Understanding the significance of commitment and perseverance
I get it, church is not always that exciting. There may be a few weeks that go by where you wonder about the merit of going to church and if it really makes any difference. But I must encourage you to stay strong and continue going anyways. Most of the benefits of attendance only come after a season of committing yourself to going no matter what. It takes time to build good relationships and community. So continue to show up week after week and push yourself to get involved in your local body of believers! Trust me, you won’t be disappointed in the end.
Final thoughts
The journey of faith and church attendance can be a complex one. It is often entangled with feelings of doubt, busyness, or disappointment. Yet, despite these challenges, there remains a call to embrace a childlike faith – a faith that finds joy in the fellowship of believers and the worship of God, much like the carefree days of youth.
While feelings often fluctuate and obstacles will arise, the importance of prioritizing church over other obligations remains steadfast. It is within the community of believers that we find support, encouragement, and accountability for our spiritual growth.
Navigating the tension between faith and feelings requires introspection and commitment. It involves rediscovering the purpose of church gatherings. Embracing the role of community in spiritual growth, and understanding the significance of commitment and perseverance.
Ultimately, as you cultivate a deeper understanding of faith and anchor yourself in theological truths, you will find fulfillment and meaning in church attendance. So, press on, dear reader, embrace the journey with faith, perseverance, and a childlike wonder for the joy that awaits you in the fellowship of believers.
As you navigate your journey of choosing faith, remember God’s promise “where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them”‘ (Matthew 18:20).
This blog post was all about choosing faith over feelings by going to church even when you don’t feel like it.
