Do you have to go to Church to be a Christian..?
491091
I don't feel that you have to.  But i think some people need some type of structure and assurance that they aren't alone in their journey.  I think it is definitely up to you as a person as to whether or not you need to belong to a church.  But going to church does not make you a christian.  That happens by asking Jesus Christ to be your saviour.  Just my opinion!
145660
You cannot love and worship the Lord and not go to church. God created the church to carry out His mission. Also the church is God's family in a small unit. There is no way a Christian can function properly apart from the church. Jesus is the head of the church. We are expected to be apart of it.\n\nChristianity is about relationships. Your relationship with God, your relationships with your brother and sisters in Chirst, and the outside world. We are referred to as His children. We belong to one another and are expected to serve one another. \n\nIf you are not part of a church you are not functioning the way God designed you to function. You have a spiritual gift that is to be used to minister to your brothers and sisters.\n\nHebrews 10:24-25 (NASB)\n\nAnd 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.\n \nYou have a responsibility to help your brothers and sisters grown in Christ. \n\nEphesians 4:11-16 (NASB)\n\nAnd He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for  the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which  belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no  longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. \n\nGod has given you a gift to be used to help your brothers and sisters grow. You need to around them so you can minister to them. There are no lone ranger Christians you are called to be apart of the body. You are called to be apart of a church.
755308
You can come to the Lord's church, the church of Christ is and has been around since it's beginingand is there for those who want salvation. We are not a denomination and never have been. We in the church don't baptize babies since it is not needed. Children are innocent just as Christ said and as the Bible proclaims(Deuteronomy 24:16, Ezekiel 18:20, Matthew 18:3, 6, 19: 13-15, Mark 10:13-16, Luke 18:15-17, Romans 14:12). Below are a couple of links to help you I hope they help. Please take a good look at the link called evangilism update. \n\nGod Bless,\n\nChris
1091776
First of all, becoming a Christian means accepting Jesus Christ as your Saviour.  You do this by praying a simple prayer.  Here is a prayer if you would like to use it.\n\nDear Heavenly Father, I come to you and ask that you would come into my heart and lead my life.  I admit that I am a sinner and need and want forgiveness from you.  I believe that your son Jesus died on the cross for my sins and  came alive again on the 3rd day and went to Heaven.  I accept Jesus as my lord and saviour.  Please lead me to the truth through you.  Amen  \n\nStart with getting yourself a Bible.  A good place to start is in the Gospels in the New Testament.  The Book of John in the New Testament is a great place to start.  Pray to God that he would forgive you of your sins and that he would lead you in the right direction.  He will answer you and lead you.  Look around for a church to go to.  Talk with the Pastor at the church, he can help you.\n\nThe Gospels in the New Testament tell about Jesus' life and all that Jesus did for us.\n\nMay God Bless you and keep you safe, I will pray for you.
623525
I would drive to wherever I was led to attend no matter the distance.  \n\nAnd to the person who answered that you don't need to attend church to worship... While that is true The Bible tells us in Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)
689331
you don't have to go to church to have faith or worship. WHY AREN'T YOU IN CHURCH??
817598
Nope.I've been a Christian for 22 years and I make sure I go to a Church where we can wear shorts and Ts,and tennies.Calvary Chapels are good for that.Plus they are great churches.
197573
To become a Christian.\n\nIt's a process over time, it's not going to happen overnight.\n\nBut there are steps to take. \n\nFirst pray and ask the Father into your heart (mind) and life. Ask for change of you. Ask for guidance and direction. Ask for forgiveness of your sins. Do all this in Jesus name (authority).\n\nCome to the reality that as long as you dwell in the flesh body you are going to fall short. All are sinners.  Repentance is a change of mind, not a license to sin. Perfection is maturity or full age in His Word. We are to produce fruit. His Word is an life learning process. Trust this man or no man, unless you check it out in His Word.\n\nHey, I've been at it deeply for 15 years. I'm producing fruit but feel I'm still in the process.
292584
No u dont hav to go to church to go to heaven 1st of all do u know where is heaven? as i know heaven n hell both r on the earth itself no one knows whether there is hell or heaven after death its just our imagination just lead a happy life when u r alive no need to worry abt that going to heaven or hell do gud things, help ppl, understand them, be happy enjoy ur life if u really believe that there is heaven n hell just be simple help others u will go to heaven. hav self confidence in urself do gud things remember one thing if u do gud things u will hav a heaven life on earth if u do bad things u will hav hell life on earth i mean to say u will lead a happy life or sad life
744962
YOU MUST BE A CHRISTIAN,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
646109
Going to church won’t save you. Reading the Bible won’t save you. Giving money to church won’t save you. Knocking the doors and evangelize won’t save you. Doing good deeds won’t save you. The only real thing that save is faith in Jesus-Christ, accepting Him as your Savior and Lord and part of that process is repentance. Repentance means to recognize that you sin, being saddened by the fact that you messed up so much that you wanna make a u-turn. And part of that process, you grow hungry to get to know more about God and among the great ways of doing so is through the reading of the Scriptures and the sermon and hanging out with believers, to learn but also to be encouraged… where church comes in. Eventually, God works in your heart to lead you to be more Christ-like and there comes all the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5 :22). And then, you realize just what an amazing God you have and how amazing the gift of eternal life is and you simply would like the whole world to know about Him… Strive to get to know God, whichever way that you’re OK with right now. Seek His kingdom first (Matt 6 :33) and all the rest will be given to you (and it’s sooooooo true). And ask Him to reveal Himself to you. No matter where you are. God bless!
4697
Ask Christ into your heart. Believe that he died for your sins and will forgive you and he is the risen Lord. Read the Bible and allow the Holy Spirit to work in your heart. Find someone who is a Christian who can answer your many questions you will have. Find a good church that teaches truth from the bible. Continue to pray and strive to become more like Jesus by reading the bible and listening to Him in prayer.\n---In your question you said "REAL" Christian..These below are of "real" or true Christian ways. \n1. go to church. (the church is the body of Christ, everyone who is a Christian is a part of this, going to church can help you because there are some or many Christians there)\n2. hate everyone who is not of your faith.(not true)\n3. try and convert everyone who is not of your faith.(if you believe and love them you would, but you do not need to make everyone exactly like what you think a Christian is)\n4. call gays bad. (love the sinner hate the sin)\n5. be intolerant of everyone whom you don't like.\n6. fear god (true)\n7. love god (true)\n8. hate the devil (true)\n9. be understanding of hell. \n10. be the best person you can be (Jesus died for all the bad we do..wouldn't you want to do what you can for him?)\n11. don't over due it, as deeds don't get you into heaven. (Most believe we are saved by God's grace and we couldn't do it on our own because we are sinners by nature)
869031
You are probably right, going to church keeps you accountable, and accountability is a good thing.  Otherwise you are more apt to slip away from God and your walk with him.
1174221
I'm Christian.\nIn my view, to be Christian, you must be what it means, and Christian means to be "Christ-like."\nNo one is exactly like Christ, but to sincerely live by the WWJD (what would Jesus do?) rule, is what a true Chrsitian should be...\nWe must believe who He is, and live a life that He says we must, and not just on Sundays or the Sabbath day, but at all times.\nI have learned a lot being not in a church and being in different types of churches...\nYes, there is much hypocrisy in the churches- but heck! Hypocrisy is everywhere! People in churches seem to be held at a much higher regard because of their proclamation in a perfect God and His perfect way, and this is why many notice more when they make the same mistakes that a non-Christian does...\nBut that high standard should be there...If someone says they are a Christian, what does that mean?\nFirst that they should know what it is to BE a Christian.\nThe basics- the Bible. We need to know the Word of God, before we can say or portray that we do. \nJust because someone babysits once in a while doesnt make them a child care professional. Just because somene likes to do hair doesnt make them a stylist. Just because someone goes to concerts doesnt make them a groupie.\nSo, just saying you are a Christian doesnt mean you are.\nWe need to show we are, by living a life that we are supposed to- the one where "Christian" rooted from- the teachings of Christ.\nI know tons of people who are Christian and live the life of. Praise God! But I also know many who say they are Christian, but have never even read the Word of God...\nThe Bible teaches us Christ was...What did He teach? He showed and taught many things to people and also to His disciples, who He told to go out and then teach the people His way- how to treat oneanother, God, themselves...\nWe need to know the Word in order to know how to be Christian. Many religions (which is man made, not GOD made) do things that God tells us not to...\nJust like the Catholic religion...I know where you are going with the Catholic thing. I agree.\nThey break the very first Commandment:\n\nEx 20: 3-5\n\n"Thou shalt have no other gods before me. \n\nThou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. \n\n"Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;"\n\nThey do this all the time, with all their statues of the Pope, statues and prayers, shrines and rituals onto Mary, angels, etc...\nAnd in Mark 12:28-29, God says this is the most important Commandment:\n"And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? \nAnd Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:"\n\nSo, I see where you are going with that. But I also know that there are many Catholics who are sincere in their faith and belief. God will judge us all on what we knew and what we did what what we knew. He knows our hearts.\nGood comment/question!
144553
I like what has been said.  The whole point of being a Christian (past the salvation part) is to become like Christ.  How do you do this??  Good suggestions have been given, and here are some more:\n-get into the Word every day.  God is going to talk to you through the ultimate "user manual".  \n-Get plugged into a Bible based church.  Get involved!!!  \n-Be open to letting the Spirit help you in life with making choices and reaching out to others.\n-Memorize Scripture- that helps write His Word on your heart, and you will pull that out of your memory when you least expect to.\n-Clean up your "house" bit by bit.  If you wear clothes that are making guys think unholy thoughts, make the choice and wear something else.  If you have a potty mouth, bite your tongue.  We ALL have things that we are working on.  Others will see this change in you, and see how Christ is changing you.  \n-praise God all throughout the day, this helps focus on what He has made good.\n\nI have been praying for you already!
1110567
If you have a trinitarian baptism, then yes you are a Christian.  That is the 2000 year definition of what makes a Christian a Christian.  If you do not believe me, read what the early Christians wrote and believed.  I suggest THE FAINT OF THE EARLY FATHERS by Jurgens.\n\nNow you can ask if they are actualy practicing the Christian faith, but if you have a trinitarian baptism, then you are a Christian for all time (baptism is an ontological change in the individual)
179189
You don't have to.  If you want to be considered member of that church, you obviously have to, but if you want to worship in your own way, that's fine too.