I do not feel close to God in church. To me, it is a waste of time. I feel close to God when I pray alone to him. When I pray to Him, I feel like we are having a conversation. But when I am in church, I feel annoyed and basically...just in a gigantic room of people. I know it sounds like a bad thing that I don't like church...but isn't it true that some people prefer to have a close and private relationship with God?
Jesus Christ is in you & is with you always. FYI
Matthew 28:20..............
lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of
this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
That is what Jesus Christ had meant when answering that Samaritan woman at the well that believers will not need to go to the mountains or to the Temple at Jerusalem to worship God for once they have been saved by Jesus Christ, we can come to God the Father in worship of Him by honouring & glorifying the Son in worship any where we want for He is with us always.
1 Corinthians 1:9God is faithful, by whom
ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Is there something wrong with me? My mom says its "evil" that I don't like church. I told her everything I said here, and she said I sound evil. Those words hurt. Am I evil?
No. You are not evil. Some may see that as forsaking the assembly, but that is considered as a manner of some, not an evil.
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 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.
BUT if the church is involved in practising iniquity or not reproving iniquity, leave the assembly.
Ephesians 5:11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
1 John 1:6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
I have tried listening to everything our pastor says, I listen intently, I do. I don't just sit there staring off into space. I try, I really do! But no matter what, church just feels like an hour-long lecture.
That happens to alot of believers, I suspect. You can always hold a Bible Study & fellowship group with your peers in your home as per your parents' permission, of course.
As it is, lean on Jesus Christ as your Good Shepherd in discerning every message that the preacher is giving. Not every message given is Biblical. Pastors can make mistakes too. It is the job of the elders to correct him, but they may be daydreaming too.
With his help, prove everything by the scripture as kept by those that loved Him & His words in the King James Bible provided at this link.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/
Make sure it is set at King James Version ( KJV ) as sometimes the computer may reset that to the NIV at Bible Gateway.
You can trust Jesus Christ as your Good Shepherd to guide you just as you have trusted Jesus Christ as your Saviour that He has saved you.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. 23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 25 Brethren, pray for us.
2 Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Ephesians 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. 8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.