I’d never had a Sabbath where I didn’t want to go to church. Sure, I’d had days where I was sick and couldn’t go to church, but never had I not wanted to go to church. Until I was 17.

You see, our church was having problems with deceitful members, and I was tired of it. I felt like I couldn’t trust anyone, and going to church felt like a battle. For the first time in my life I didn’t want to go to church because I didn’t want to face the battles that were raging.

Have you ever felt that way? It’s tough when people in church aren’t getting along or are causing problems. It’s easy to decide to skip going to church when contentions arise, and I’ve heard of many people who do so. But this is not what Scripture says we should do.

Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking 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.  Hebrews 10:19-25 

This passage is telling us that because Christ has broken down the barrier between us and God, we should be drawing near to Him and having hope in Him. And because of this we are to encourage one another to do good and to love, and we are not to forsake assembling together. The purpose of our assembling together as a church is to encourage one another, and we’re told that it’s all the more important now because Christ is returning soon!

There may be problems in your church that are making you want to stay home, but that’s when we need to attend church all the more! We are created for community, and the church needs to encourage one another in the faith – to keep running this race with endurance together!

[Note: there are some instances when you need to find a new church to attend, but that is never an excuse to not meet together with other Christians, nor is it a decision to make lightly. If you feel that the circumstances in your church have not improved and that the church you’re attending isn’t obeying Christ, then pray hard about it.  If you feel God is saying to switch churches, then do so. However, our prayer should be that we never have to make that tough decision.]

So what should we do when we feel like skipping church even though we know that meeting together with the church is important? Here’s a few tips I’ve learned through my experience:

1: Pray, pray, pray! There are many important things to pray about when you’re facing this kind of a situation. First of all, realize that when your church is experiencing problems, there is a spiritual battle going on.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

You need to understand that the devil wants to tear your church apart. He knows how important it is for Christians to be meeting together, and he definitely knows that since Christ is returning soon it is even more important that we meet together. He will do everything he can to prevent you from going to church because he doesn’t want you to be a victorious Christian. We need to recognize that we are in a spiritual battle, and rely upon the strength of the Lord to defeat the enemy.

Once you understand this, pray and ask God for His strength to do the right thing even though you may not feel like doing it. Also pray for your church, that God would resolve whatever issues are causing the problem, and that your church would be united under Christ. (Note: read my article “the ingredients of an Acts 2 church” for more specifics on praying for your church.)

2: Go to church. It’s easy to say, but hard to do when there are problems within your church. But this is what we need to do because it’s what God asks of us. And God asks us to go to church not because He wants us to bless Him, but because He wants to bless us.

Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. ” Mark 2:27

God will bless you for obeying Him. Choose obedience, ask God to give you the strength and joy you need, and just go!

3: Focus on blessing someone else. This made a big difference for me. When the problems first arose in our church, all I could see was the problem and how uncomfortable it made me feel. When I was challenged to focus on blessing someone else, it took my eyes of myself and my discomfort and turned my thoughts outward. When you head to church, make the decision that you will encourage someone else that Sabbath. Ask God to show you an opportunity to reach out to someone, and then take the opportunity He gives! Not only will this help you get your perspective straight, it might just grow some new friendships with those you reach out to.

It’s heartbreaking when there are trials in the church because of someone’s sin. But it’s a good reminder that church isn’t for perfect people – it’s for the broken, the hurting, and the sinners. God gave us the gift of a church family to encourage and support one another. We support one another through the trials we face, and we encourage one another to run the race of life with our eyes set on the prize – eternity with our Lord and Savior forever. So whatever discouragements you’re facing today, whether in your church or just in your own home, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. In Him we find hope, joy, peace, grace, and true life. 

With love,

Kelsey