Any Christians/former Christians here who left the church?

What fueled your decision?
How long did it take you to decide?
What has attending church actually helped you with?

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i went for some time without going to church because i didn't like it. i wanted to be a christian and go solo. but then i ended up going to a christian college and i read a book by philip yancey called church why bother? And i learned that yeah churches aren't always perfect, but there is something good there you can find. so after i graduated i went church shopping, and found a church i've been going to for over 20 years! it feels like home to me, from the first moment i went there. i love it because there is where i can worship God with other people, and i can serve the community like helping the poor. there is a women's bible study i go to, so i can learn more about God and i can make friendships. people pray for you there. there is a support system. not all churches are alike. there are so many, and i feel bad for people that have had bad experiences at church. not all churches are bad!

iamnikki · 31-35, F

@AliceinWonderland thanks for your reply. I felt welcomed at my church too when I first started going in person 2 years ago.
Now I don't like it.
People are not that nice. Some that I've talked with before don't speak anymore. Like typical church people, acting funny.
I took joined a Bible study. The Facilitator talks to much, buts tells us we're quiet on the zoom
. I think I'm done with both. The Bible study has gone on since early this year and we had one outing as a group.
Going to church is tiring. Not only getting up early on a Sunday morning, but being there too, when it seems like the messages don't make sense or aren't helping you

AliceinWonderland · F

@iamnikki maybe it is time to go church shopping if you can. there are churches that meet in the evenings and like wednesdays, saturdays, and some pastors you might resonate more with. people are friendlier depending where you go. i would pray and ask God to show you which church to go to. Thats what I did. When i went to my church i go to now, I liked it except for the singing, but that ended up getting better. No church is perfect. I like to go to churches that help the community too. So hopefully you will find a better place to go. Good luck! Thanks for best comment.

SW-User

@AliceinWonderland I prefer solo but I hear you.