Excellent point, Kelly – it’s not really the “Sunday” thing, but something…habitually (like Steven Covey says, habit breeds success, whether it is in business or spiritual life)…feeds our souls.

For a long time I had to work on Sunday mornings. But, I also went to a Bible study group on Tuesday evenings. It was great, and I learned and grew through that much more than I would have during “real” church on Sunday morning. That’s what I am trying to say–the day/time/location doesn’t really matter and we’ve made that Sunday morning experience into the most important one, when there are other things that can actually work better.

I think we agree on that 🙂

I guess I don’t see anything wrong with those conversations. Those aspects of church are for us, not God. They should engage and enhance our worship and if the discussion turns towards not liking the music or the sermon not speaking to you…always…then maybe it is time to find something that better speaks to you or whoever is saying that. And those conversations are a perfectly natural thing (especially for people who have to process on the outside of our heads). Luckily, there are many different avenues to Christ, and the music, worship style, sermon all should enhance, not detract from that. Discussing that openly is not wrong, it’s how some of us process that information.

Not saying the occasional “hookey” isn’t good sometimes, but as you know…it’s easy to keep saying that enough times and pretty soon months have gone by and no church. Coming from the 3rd most unchurched state where attendance on Sunday is, frankly, abysmal, I can honestly say it IS hard for us to attend. Soccer and other sports are scheduled on Sunday mornings. Competitions, speech, debate clubs, etc…all Sunday morning. If one has kids here involved in anything extracurricular, it’ll be on Sunday mornings. The draw of the world is great here and finding a good church and becoming habitual about going is as much a gift to God as it is about oneself.
Also, I don’t understand what is so wrong about discussing the merits of the sermon after leaving church. The sermon is for us, not God. Good, bad, on topic, sublime, ridiculous, many of us process on the outside and need to “talk to think”…that isn’t evil, just the way God made us.

So glad you liked it, Kelli. So did I!

I agree with you, LA, sometimes we need to go for other people. But, sometimes in our frenzied lives, Sunday is the one unscheduled sleep-in day.

Of course, if one is living in such a way that one is too tired for church on Sunday–and sadly that is often the case with me–something needs to change.

However, we are commanded to rest on Sunday, not necessarily get up, clean up and get to church on time.

I often find being alone, and walking alone more refreshing than church.

Which might mean that my current church (evangelical, but not charismatic) is not a good fit for me. Which it isn’t. But I am too tired to change!

I am with you, Kelly!

Sure, I agree it shouldn’t be about us, and that is a great example you gave. But too often, it does become about us–I’ve had more conversations than I can count that start with “what did you think about the sermon?” or “I liked–or didn’t like–the music today”.
And sometimes, that “nagging voice” telling us to stay home may have a reason for staying home, too. The point is that we’re often so legalistic about attendance on Sunday morning that we can miss out on the myriad of ways God can be experienced elsewhere.

I firmly believe that regular church attendance is a habit that reaps many benefits, but that a good fit is essential.