[judgementday]

When I use to go to church, I never really understood why people went every Sunday. I realize that it sounds ignorant but I learned more about the Bible on my own than I did sitting through a sermon. I began to worship on my own and if I didn't understand something I researched it or asked. Church almost seemed like a social gathering and I was there to get something not to gossip about current events. Because of this I would only go to the Wednesday night Bible Study. It seemed to be the only avenue in which I could learn.

I was bombarded by church members and the minister as to why I never come to "church". Yet I was studying the Bible every Wednesday and doing studies at home as well as praying. I began to feel like I didn't belong anymore so I quit going all together.

This ultimately led to me no longer walking down that path.

IMO, Churches have just become buildings or tradition. I learned so much by sitting and talking with a minister on a mission trip than I did sitting in a pew.

The county I live in has roughly 15K people but yet 23 churches. Doesn't make much sense to me.

This may be a little off from what your post was meaning but I just wanted to share what I was thinking.