Do Christians have to go to church to be closer to Christ?  

Well put. I kind of feel that way myself.

You know I've been to many churches, but I would always quit because I found the people there not very receptive of people who don't contribute money to their cause. Most of those churches are always looking at your pocket. If you can't give out as much money as they would want you to, they would stare you in the face as if you do not belong.

That's not good. The house of God should not be about money but about God. If I were you, ask God the right church for you. THat's what I did, though it took me 2 years to be in the right church but it is better than not to be in the right church at all. Pray to God, I know He will not hesitate to answer your prayer. He will let you meet the right people and be at the right place. Stay at that church for the meantime, anyway, church is not about you/me but about God. Just go there to worship God for now. I know God will be gracious and merciful to you and He will bless you for doing such.

definitely no.. I am sorry if i affront anyone,but I am sure and so much sure i am much closer with god by myself,with no priest or church.As we see,there is many priests who have been very very bad,so i do not need any priest between me and god and about church..then i go to church if i want to,but i dont feel that i need to,i think it doesnt make me any better..my home is my church:))
(forgive me my bad english )

I quite agree with what both of you, Wishpony, Mammukake, have said.

I think I have to go familiarize myself with the 10 commandments again. Does "Keep Holy the Sabbath Day" means we should keep it holy in the church or in our hearts?Please explain to me Eileenleyva why I cannot "keep holy the Sabbath" at home by watching the services on TV, on the Church channels. Isn't it like Church?

The media is one way of disseminating the faith. It is meant to somehow reach out to far flung places where people do not know Christ yet. It is also meant to render services to those who cannot make it physically to church - like the aged, the indisposed, the handicapped, etcetera. But if one is well and able, what is impeding him to unite with the body of Christians in the church. In the church, we can collectively sing praises to God, the Almighty Father and give thanks for all our blessings. In the church we can also know firsthand about the problems of our neighbors. Then we can lend a helping hand. When we do that, God will give us a wide grin. You will like it, God smiling down upon you, I mean.

You have a point. A gathering of believers coming together as one in a church is a good thing, especially in the eyes of God. God wants each one of us to be sociable and to love our neighbors. However, spending time alone with God would be preferable to God because Faith in Christ is an individual experience, not a collective experience.

Personal and private prayers are good. Makes our faith mature. Brings us ever closer to the Almighty. But God had given us a commandment. Sabbath is a day to commune with the people, giving thanks and praising God. We must only obey.

Eil, I don't think you understand what the bible is saying, first we are the church, the church you describe is just a building. Did Jesus only go to church? No he went out and gathered up his own, and prayed often by himself in the garden. God is in every believers heart and he knows your heart. The bible even states that you should go off to yourself to pray. Going to church is symbolic as a place of refuge and prayers are gathered together, and gives Christians a way to know who are the true believers who are around you.

Care to read my answers again?

Yes. Isn't it wonderful to be reminded about the Word every minute of the day. I have become addicted to watching TV church services every night before I go to bed and every morning when I wake up. The Church channel TBN is about the greatest gift God has given me. I would recommend that every Christian tune in to the channels every day. This could help them understand the Bible better and help them focus more on Jesus.

As far as tithes, if you have a church you use to be a member or non-member of you can mail in your tithes. Most churches will send you envelopes in the mail. Mine does.

Thanks for your input. Well said. God Bless you.