...am I bad to not want to go to church on Easter?

[Debitt]

._. ...my mother was guilt tripping me about this a few minutes ago - but in all honesty, I don't like going to church on Easter. Christmas is almost as bad. I mean, all of a sudden EVERYONE in town is going, just because it's Easter, and the church I go to puts on this big show - and it's the same thing every year. Is it bad that I feel like I don't get anything out of Easter services? Is it wrong to want to stay home and have a few minutes of quiet time instead?

I know Easter represents the most important thing that's ever happened in history - His resurrection....but can't I just celebrate it inside of my heart where it means so much more instead of getting taken to a cookie cutter church service?

[Kawaii_Angel]

Well if it makes you feel better,I didn't go to church today for the easter ceremony.
I think that its more peaceful to stay at home also, my church makes a big fuss and makes us play games and such and its just alitle too much for me.
Instead of going my family and I have a large meal in celebration of the day.
So I personally don't think its bad to not want to go to church, I'm sure a lot of other christians feel the same way!

[Staci]

I agree with Kawaii_Angel, Kokoro. It is not a bad thing to not wish to go to church, especially on a holiday where all the "poser Christians" come out of the woodwork. (Poser being akin to a "Sunday Christian" where they only worship when it suits them best.)

The purpose of Easter is not necessarily to go to church and commune with fellow worshippers - it is to remember the son of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and what he sacrificed for all of us! Celebrate his life, celebrate his love, celebrate him. Spend time with your loved ones, give thanks for our salvation through Jesus, read from the scriptures, listen to Christian music... Whatever makes you personally feel closesr to the Lord. That is what matters on this day. *~_~*

[ShiroiHikari]

I didn't go to a church service this morning...someone has to be with my sister at all times, so since I went to an Easter drama last night, I let my mom and grandpa go to their church this morning.

Although, even if I could have gone to church, I don't know that I would have. o.O

[Danyasaur]

I have to go, I'm the pastor's duaghter ^.^;;

and no, it's not wrong to not want to go to church on Easter or Christmas, the bible says that we are to give thanks not mater were we are, and you can do that right at home ^__^

[Zedian]

It's not wrong, especially in your case since you go to church other Sundays. I went to the morning service but had to leave early...I did notice the significant increase of people who came -- much higher than normal. It is kinda funny to see the church goers who go and pray only when the time suits them best.

[Angelchick]

i didn't go to church today cause i went last night. it was interesting we watched a little bit of the matrix it was that part where he's going to have to decide if he wants to take the red pill or the blue pill lol. i don't really get anything from the Easter services either.

[shooraijin]

I think, too, that because people tend to file in more on Easter Sunday (and, for that matter, Christmas), the sermon tends to be much less pithy and a lot more straightforward basic tenets of Christianity. This is all well and good, and I sincerely hope that those who show up have a seed planted in their hearts, but I have to confess I get a lot less out of Sunday service on special "high volume" days too.

That being said, I believe in worship being an offering of time to the Lord. I have the whole week to do my thing, so the least I can do for the being who made the rest of my days possible is dedicate some time to Him on Sunday, get out of bed, and go to church. Even if church turns out to be lousy and nothing in there gives me any growth at all, just being there, I think, counts for something.

[Ingemar]

I'll have to take the dissenting voice here. I don't think it matters that all the "nominal" Christians take this time of the year to make their (perceived?) obligatory show of piety. Church is a time to be in the Presence of YHWH, and whatever goes on during the service is strictly between you and Him. Thus, I do not find it an acceptable excuse to bow out on account of all the poseurs. If you choose not to go because you feel that the "personalness" is being violated, then go ahead. But then again, I hope that your relationship with God goes deeper than Church and routine, otherwise your opting out is worthless at best, and irreverant at worst.

[cbwing0]

I will be the second dissenting voice, and tell you why I think it is good to go to church even on holidays when all of the religious minimalists pay a visit. First of all, it is a chance for you to be a good example to them, perhaps encouraging them to attend regularly. This is especially true if there are a lot of younger kids in your church, because they are probably watching what you do.

The fact that you don't have to do something is also not an excuse for failing to do it. You don't have to worship, pray or read your bible; yet these things are essential to a healthy Christian walk. Let's no forget, "Everything is permissible for me'--but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible for me,'--but I will not be mastered by anything" (1 Corinthians 6:12).

On the other hand, you are not sinning by skipping church. My grandparents, who have been faithful churchgoers for well over 40 years, did not go today, because my cousin needed help moving. In cases like this, it is certainly permissible, perhaps even better to miss church, "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings" (Hosea 6:6). In other words, if you have a choice between doing good for others, or legalistic church attendance, choose the former.

I went to church this morning, btw.

[Spiritsword]

I don't want to get too off-topic here, but I wanted to comment on "posers" or "creasters", as I have heard them referred to. Before condemning them please think about the possibility that God may be working in their lives, and that little bit of church attendance might be making a difference. In no way am I advocating going only on Christmas and Easter, but I don't think we should condemn those people either.

Two examples. I was one of those people for several years of my life, and I think that even attending only on the two "big holidays" helped to at least keep me from completely forsaking God. I at least was reminded of Him twice a year, and eventually I came back to Him. So my attendance on Christmas and Easter might've kept me just enough in touch with the Lord to not fall away altogether.

Secondly, someone very important to me at the moment isn't a Christian. He's an extremely honest and forthright person, to himself as well as to others. He's stopped attending church even on Christmas and Easter (like he used to). I don't know for sure, but I would not at all be surprised if it is because he doesn't want to be a "poser". But honestly, I would rather have him attend even on those two days, even if his heart isn't into it, because it might just expose him to something that will begin to change him. It might just start him back in the right direction. It's better than not attnding at all, and never even having that possibility.

Just my thoughts/experiences on the matter.

As for attending on Easter, I don't know that you HAVE to, just as you don't HAVE to attend an organized church to receive salvation. But in terms of spiritual growth and an opportunity for outreach, perhaps to those very people who are only exposed to outreach and ministry on Christmas and Easter, it could be valuable.

But it's ultimately God's will. If you talked to Him, Kokoro, and He led your heart in that direction, then it's fine.

[Vyse]

I've been spending some of my Easter today telling people about CAA

[Debitt]

It's not quite the "Easter Christians" that make me not want to go to church on Easter. In fact, I think that it's better they go on just Easter than not go at all - God can plant the seed in the heart of someone then, and He does it all the time. It's just the fact that when I'm at a bigger church or in a bigger crowd, I feel like there's less going on between myself and God than if I were to just find a quiet place to read or pray. I'm an introvert by nature, so big crowds and lots of people make me feel distracted and uncomfortable.

[Spiritsword]

I totally, completely understand that, Kokoro! I am the same way. I get just as much out of a quiet time of personal prayer and meditation with God as I do out of a church service. And I attend a BIG church so every week it's crowded. I guess I feel like I can take that quiet time daily if I need to, but a church experience is once a week. But again, being with the Lord is the most important thing--take care of that first, and He will lead you where you need to go!

[Haibane Shadsie]

I didn't go to church this morning. I wanted to, however, I slept very fitfully last night, not much sleep, and felt really icky this morning. I opted out of going because I didn't feel well at all.

[Hitokiri]

I went to church is this morning. We had a breakfest. I noticed we had alot bigger attendance then usual. My friend's entire family (aunts, uncles, coisons) come to my church which is func ause I'm like family with thier family

I like what our church does. We don't do alot of stuff special for the occassion besides the fact that we had a Easter Breakfest (which my father led), the pastors wife told the story of the death of Chirst and the Ressurection to some small kids which was cute, and we watched a small movie which had a song and pictures. But other than that, church was perfectly normal. Though I needed to get alot of chairs out during the service.

I always like the Good Friday service cause we had a very small crowd 20-30 and it feels like a small community type thing. We had a Rock-Opera type thing which was intresting.

Happy Easter! He has Risen Indeed.

[bemanisuperstar]

I diddn't want to go to church today either and I wish I diddn't becuase there was a cute girl there and she was engaged. Now I'm sad because couples make me sick

[Hitokiri]

The girl that I really like wasn't at church...she went down to Florida with her softball team so yeah I missed her I got to sit next to one of my good friends and his girlfriend.

bemanisuperstar, I know what you mean. Well...actually...thier are certain couples that get on my nerves, for instance the ones that are so lovey-dovey that make out in the grocery que line. All my friends are going out so I'm used to it. (I've been single for all my life, I'm waititng for God to provide me with the girl that will be my wife, even if I have to wait till i'm 50 ).


opps going off-topic. Maybe this might be bad but I don't feel it's really Easter without going to church. My parents force me to go (though I dont resist, I love going to church). I kinda felt that way (it wasn't Easter) cause we didnt do the eggs or anything like that this morning (we did that Saturday morning) but I kinda got over that feeling.

[bemanisuperstar]

I'm serously thinking of finding another church.
The church I goto is good but I don't feel they serve me enough to grow as a chrstian and help me with my other problem.

I won't go into that other problem firther it's well documented here.

but I felt like poo today the message made me feel worthless seeing all those couples made me sick. I just wanted to walk out.

If I keep feeling like this I may need to find a new church which will be hard because my parents are so attached and involved in this one.

[Macross]

ok... don´t worry... it´s not really easter, not the same thing that the bible talks about since before Jesus came to earth, you know... It was all about the the profecy of Jesus coming... after Jesus cane to Earth it was suposed to be about Him... now days it´s about a bunny and selling chocolat eggs....
Disturbing hun..

[SVD997]

Ok. First off, I am not trying to diss anybody here, but I would like to agree with Ingemar and cbwing. I believe you should goto church, no matter the reason. You can have fellowship with God, but there is a stronger fellowship with more people.

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."- Mathew 18:20

If you goto church and have others there worshiping, God promises to be there. Some of you say that people who only go twice a year should go ahead and come, well, why can't us faithful people come? I think it is a good testimony to the twice a year church goers. If they goto church on the biggest church day of the year, and they don't see you. The logical assumption is that you don't goto church at all.

Some of you don't like church for some reason or the other. I reccomend getting involved as much as possible. Yeah, church might be boring sometimes, but get involved with junior church, sunday school teaching, kids programs on wednsday night. I guarantee you you will like church better. I know I do. I am in charge of the media stuff for sunday morning and night. I also help out with Junior Church, and King's Kids. There is a lot to do. I reccomend getting involved, you will enjoy church alot more, and if you don't like going to church, check the real reason why. A majority of the time it is a heart matter.
I am not trying to condemn anybody or pass judgement. I've just had to many friends down through the years who drop out of church gradually. It starts with just one sunday, then it goes downhill from there.

[skynes]

I don't blame you for not wanting to go. Every Easter servicei n every church is always EXACTLY the same... Every year, same scriptures, same sermon. I tend to avoid the Christmas Eve services just because I HATE them. I hate carols and I hate enduring the same stuff every year! Really gets tiring after a while...

[The Grammarian]

To add my voice of dissent in, Hebrews 10:25 commands us "not to forsake our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."

Also, to those people who are thinking of finding a new house of worship because it isn't serving you, I think you have fallen into the trap many fall into, in letting your own wants determine whether you should be somewhere. There was an article in a recent Discipleship magazine that touched on this problem, and identified it as what the ancients would have referred to as "the noonday demon," or sloth. I'll try to post the article later when I have time, but I encourage you to think through very carefully whether God actually wants you to leave, or whether it's you who wants to leave because the "cost of discipleship" there is getting too high.

[Azier the Swordsman]

My point of view: No, what you did was not wrong. If you want to be technical about it, it is not absolutely neccesary to attend church regularly. I say this because just attending church regularly is NOT enough in itself to get you to heaven. So therefore, it is not the most important part of Christianity. However, I believe it is important to an extent: I personally believe in attending church as much as possible, because it strengthens you as a Christian, and you get to fellowship with other believers.

I am biased, however, and churches that put on shows for holidays, or deliver 'cookie-cutter' messages.

It's sad, but for a lot of people, Easter is the one time of the year for attending church. Including unsaved people. I believe that, for one, 'entertainment' should not in any way be the focus of the 'Easter Service', and two, the message delivered should be focused full force on salvation. Hold nothing back. Tell them to their face that they are sinners, but tell them there is a loving God that wants to take all of that away and make them new again.

Sadly, many churches are not like this at all.

[Seiya]

I understand your dilemma.
Church is such an odd place...full of the Spirit,
and full of sin and deceit...
But we must look past this and on to the message that God gave us.
For my heart is heavy with my burden, and I long for the day when I can shed it, that it would flow into the hearts of the people I am sent to reach...
But I am silent. He has spoken much, and I have spoken little.
I am only asked to speak His words, but I lie on the ground with my face in my hands, like a lame man healed but robbed of joy...

[Debitt]

._. gosh...now I feel bad for not going.

[Rashiir]

We must be careful casting judgement on the so called "posers" -- once or twice a year is better than not at all, and God loves each of them just as much as He loves each of us.

[neoassassin2078]

I did'nt go, but only because I did'nt have any time. We were going to visit some relatives in Indiana and so we had to get going really realy in the morning in order to get there in time. We were still late becuase my dad made a wrong turn and we ended up going through Chicago where traffic is perpetually BAD.

[Mave]

Whether you should feel bad or not, is not for me to decide. It's between you and God.

However, I must say this (at the risk of ruffling some feathers), I have no right to be disappointed if service was goofy, boring, cookie-cut, generally nothing special, whatever. I do not go to church to be entertained or to judge others. It's an act of worship.

[EireWolf]

I'm serously thinking of finding another church.
The church I goto is good but I don't feel they serve me enough to grow as a chrstian and help me with my other problem.

I agree with The Grammarian. Church is not about being served. Perhaps you could find some way to do some serving, yourself?

The church is a body, made of different parts. Only when each part fulfills their purpose is the body healthy. If each part expects the head to do everything for it, nothing will ever be accomplished and the entire body will be unfulfilled.