My parents DON'T go to church...?

Question

and i do. i'm 15. i love God, i really do. my dad doesn't go to church, but he says he believes in God. sometimes i want to cry because i love him so much and i'm afraid he will go to h**l. i have asked him to go but he avoids the subject and i think he doesn't like to go because people talk, and he doesn't like the atmosphere. i wish he could see that he isn't going to church to see the snooty members of the congregation (although it is inevitable) he is going for God.

what can i do? i have prayed and prayed and i am hoping someone can offer advice.

if you are an atheist or otherwise and you merely want to scold me or offer a surly, unwanted opinion, please don't waste your time. that is simply uncalled for.

Answer 1

Antonia your father may suscribe to the idea of Earth being the church.

He sounds like a good man.  

Answer 2

well u can't push people into something they don't want to do. Talk to ur dad in a nice calm way. Don't say anything about h**l just say u are concern with his 'well-being'. But ultimately its up to him what he wants to do. Why don't u go to church, met some nice church goers, bring 'em over the home to meet ur daddy and u can show him that not all Christians aret bigots or whatever ur dad thinks they are. But don't bring them over to gang up on ur dad either, just a nice chat so he can see what nice people they are. and then maybe u can make him go to church, or maybe choose another church. and if that doesn't work just let ur dad be, u can't change peoples' minds.. look at it this way if ur god doesn't change peoples' mind why do u feel u can?

btw im an atheist i don't have a problem with religion or christianity i just don't like people judging me based on their beliefs.  

Answer 3

Keep praying. I prayed for one of my uncles for about 15 years before he came to Christ. Don't give up praying. My parents didn't go to church either. By the time I graduated from high school the were regular attenders. Also, let your light shine.

Matthew 5:16  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

1 Timothy 4:12  Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

I used to pray by myself at mealtimes. They eventually asked to be included. I used to read my Bible by myself, but they noticed. I changed because of what Christ was doing in my life and they noticed.

Answer 4

The importance of attending to the gathering is manifested in the Old Testament that even animals were being forbidden by the Jews during Sabbath. - Exodus 20:10

2. The violation of the sabbath keeping for the Jews is punishable.

Example: A man was captured guilty of working during sabbath was killed. - Numbers 15:32-36

3. It is the duty of every church members (like of Messiah Baptist Church) to faithfully attend all the church services every time the door is open.

Example: When Thomas did not attend one Sunday evening assembly he really missed the blessing of having fellowship with Jesus. Since then, he was called "THE DOUBTING THOMAS". - John 20:24-28.

· The Church worship services that you really need most is the most difficult to attend to. Like the Wednesday evening and the Sunday evening.

· Going to Church worship Services faithfully is truly and highly important in the eyes of God.

ILLUSTRATION:

How the coal was taken away from the fire and it becomes cooler and cooler then the fire gradually disappearing until our hands can easily handled it. Likewise, we Christians that was farther from the fire of the Word of God, preaching and forsaken the Christian gatherings of fellow believers is easy to become cold.

4. The zealousness and inspiration of the Believers in going and attending the Church Worship services do not depend on the size, beauty and magnificence of the building.

The early Christian gatherings was held primarily at the houses or residence of some of the faithful brethren.- Romans 16:5; I Corinthians 16:19; Acts 16:12-15; Acts 16: 30-34; Acts 12:12

5. Why can a Christian could not faithfully and consistently attend church services if they were getting multitudes of spiritual blessings and strengthening from all that church activities.- Acts 2:42-47

Example:

· Praying to God --Matt 18: 19-20

· Giving offering to God --1 Corinthians. 16:1-2

· Observing the Lord's Supper --1Cor. 11:23-25

· Teaching the doctrines --- Acts 2:42

· Christian fellowships --- Acts 2:42

6. Attending faithfully to the church can edify the believers.- Hebrews 10:25

We do not go to church with an objective to acquire strength but we go to church to strengthen others.

We do not go to church with a motive to get a blessing but we go to church to be a channel of blessings.

7. If Christ resurrected during Sunday and ascended during Sunday, very possible that Christ will return during Sunday so we should not forsake our duty of going to church fellowships and services on Sundays - Hebrews 10:25

8. Some Christians justified their absence in the church by means of their excuses by saying that they never forget God wherever they go. Although God is in their mind, they disobeyed God because faithfulness in going to church services is a command of God.- Hebrews 10:25

9. Some Christians argued, why they still need to be faithful in church worship services whereas not all of those who consistently and regularly attending in the church are right heart before God.

Answer:

· The heart will become more sinful or evil continually if they do not attend.

· There is a good opportunity that the Lord may speak and change their heart if they will always attend.

· We can not judge that all of those faithful attendees are not right before God.

10. If Christian was pictured as a sheep in the Bible, therefore they need an under shepherd of God.

Why be away from your Pastor that feeds you spiritually in the church through your negligence in church gathering? How can your Pastor protects and guides you as a sheep if you do not heard his preaching of the Word of God?- John 10:27,3-4

11. If Jesus Christ as our good example was regularly present in the synagogue during the Sabbath as practiced by the Jews, likewise we Christians should be faithful in attending church worship services. - Luke 4:16

.In Mark 3:1 it was stated how Jesus entered into the synagogue, "And he entered again into the synagogue". The term "again" described that the Lord Jesus Christ attend worship services in a regular basis. Why don't we?

12. The early church in Jerusalem practiced daily Christian assemblies. - Acts 2:42,46

· Therefore, we should not complain if there is the Wednesday midweek service and other church activities going on. That is one reason why the early church were more energetic and enthusiastic, and evangelistic and edifying because they get closer to God. May our local church Members practices to attend more church services and join church gatherings.

13. We should be loyal in our own local church where we belong as a member and avoid attending anywhere else. - Acts 2:42,46

· God will not leads you to a church where you can divide you heart and time to different churches.

· How can God use you in your own local church as a member if your body is in other church place.

· You will be confused of different convictions, stands, or programs from other churche

Answer 5

Just keep praying and asking , he will come one day. Most sinners do not want to go to church because of the feeling of conviction that comes on them. It has nothing to do with the people but they have to put the blame on someone else besides themselves.Sundays was our day to goof off, go fishing or what ever before we got in church. Several months after I got saved, my husband asked me to go to the river on a sunday afternoon and I did. I was in another world the whole time. He asked me what was wrong , was I thinking about what I was missing at church and I told him yes and it wouldn't happen again and it hasn't. I would ask my husband every time I went to church to go with me for a long time, I didn't press the point, I just asked and one day he said " I think I'll go". I was a very happy person. About 6 months or so later , he accepted Christ. So don't give up just let him see Christ through you so he will want what you have in Christ. God Bless, keep the Faith!

Answer 6

Okay I'll try to be objective and not lash out at you for your belief in an invisible man in the sky...Everybody is held accountable for the choices they make.  No amount of pleading will change that.  The only thing that would happen is he would go just to shut you up and then he would resent you for that.  Just let your dad live his life and make his own choices and take solace in the fact that he isn't going to h**l.

Answer 7

don't worry about him.  take a breather.  he probably knows there isn't a heaven or h**l.  that's a secret.

Answer 8

Keep praying for your dad.  It may take years.  It took my dad 2 open heart surgeries to come to know Jesus Christ.  Make your life shine so that he will notice a difference in your life.  Don't get hung up on having him go to church.  You might be the only Bible he reads (watching your life).  Just because you go to church doesn't make you a Christian, just as walking in the barn and saying over and over I'm a cow, doesn't make you a cow.  Dumb example, but I think you get my drift.

See if another man who goes to your church could become friends with your dad or maybe your dad has Christian men where he works that can make a difference in his life.  Don't ever give up.

Answer 9

Since when is attending church services a requirement for staying out of h**l?  

Your Dad says he believes in God - isn't that all that's required of him for his soul to be "saved"?

Church is merely a place where people of the same faith gather to share in their worship.  Some people prefer not to worship with others. There's nothing wrong with that.

Darling, at 15, you should not be trying to make decisions about what's best for your parents.  You have much more to learn about life, and it's their job to decide what's best for you.  

Blessings.

Answer 10

And I wish you could see that being Christ-like is not about gathering at some building once a week.  As long as your father is living it, then he doesn't need to go to your weekly support group meeting for it.

Answer 11

why don't you just mind your own business.

you are bieng rude and IMO- your parents should punish you and nip it in the bud befroe you become some prostheletizing busy body in everyone's business.

it is your parents, and if they share different beliefs then you then they are entitled to that-

I am an atheist, but part of bieng a good person is RESPECT- and if i'm not wrong then part of the TEN COMMANDMENTS is also RESPECT THY FATHER AND MOTHER-

that means to let them make thier own choices and you obey and not nag them.

it is THIER lives, and thier choice, as your parents they will always love you but here you are plain wrong-

they made thier choice and you are bieng rude- you raised the issue, they clearly don't want to discuss it so leave it alone and move on.

Answer 12

Just as Abraham had to stand in the gap while Lott remained in Sodom, he prayed that God would save him. Lott almost got fried in the city and had to have the 2 angels literally drag him , his wife and 2 daughters out before the city was wiped out. The fiances of the 2 girls still refused to go ever then. So Keep praying , you may be the difference between your dad making it into heaven with his tail on fire instead of h**l where its an all out BBQ!!!!

Answer 13

Going to some social organization doesn't prove how much you love your god. If god is everywhere (supposedly), why must one go to some building to show love? Does god only hear you when you are in a church? h**l, you could do this anywhere. I guess being 15 (lol noob) there is a lot you must still learn about life.

Answer 14

If hes not going just because of the people there I would consider that a sin.

Even though people talk that shouldnt stop you from you devoting time at church and listening to the word of God.

And I have noticed people to talk and that during church but that dosent keep me from attending weekly masses as a part of my faith. Nor does it draw my attention away from what the priest is saying.

Answer 15

Okay ignoring the fact that you seem like an utter and complete snob...

In my experience, the bible does NOT say that you have to go to church, it just says that you have to worship god. Maybe your dad does pray and worship god, just not the way that you do. He may not like the people in your church so he doesn't go and prefers to worship at home. Worshiping doesn't mean singing high praises from the top of the house. It can just be something small and private between him and god.

As for him changing the subject, he might just get tired of you asking him to go. It probably gets old.

All in all just let your dad deal with his own life, maybe he'll discover a church he likes and wants to be apart of later in his life. God doesn't call everybody at the same time.

Answer 16

The only thing you can do is to live such an exemplary life that he knows that you are different from everyone else he's ever met and when he tries to find out why you are different, then you lead him to Christ. That is how a Christian leads people to Christ.  

Answer 17

It's your father's choice to do as he pleases, and since he is the adult, you need to respect his decision. Church isn't for everyone. Many people, your father included, prefer to worship at home on a more personal level. Nothing wrong with that.

Answer 18

Don't worry about your parents.  It's not your job.

Answer 19

I may have missed some of the finer points of Christianity, but I thought god didn't judge whether or not you are Christian by attending church, but rather by your belief in him and by practicing Christian values in everyday life?

Answer 20

I'd say just worry about yourself, your Dad seems to be fine and comfortable with his owns ideas about god.  God requires a belief in him not a commitment to go to church every Sunday.