There is one local church of Christ where I live. My family has been a part of this church in the past; however, due to great conflict and many issues surrounding this one church, my family decided that we were best not to attend there. No, we did not vocalize our concerns to anyone due to those who had voiced the same concerns before us, which led to anger and their departures. After at least six months we have no other church to attend due to the drive. We don’t believe the circumstances have changed at that location. Is it biblical to continue to study at home?<\/p>\n\t
Studying at home is not the same as starting a church or worshiping with brethren.<\/p>\n
I have no idea what the problems are at this church. It has been my observation that people divide over things that are more matters of opinion than real biblical issues. My personal rule is: Can I worship with this congregation and it not affect my ability to worship God as He commanded? Remember the church in Sardis was not following the Lord, but there were still faithful members in the church (Revelation 3:1-6).<\/p>\n
Leaving a church doesn’t solve problems, you merely leave them to fester. Nor did you show love for the brethren there. You seem to think they are lost; yet, you did not speak to anyone about the problems as Jesus said to do (Matthew 18:15-17). Because you and others leave the problems are not dealt with. Yes, I know leaving is easier, but love requires effort. “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord<\/em>” (Romans 12:10-11).<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Question: There is one local church of Christ where I live. My family has been a part of this church in the past; however, due to great conflict and many issues surrounding this one church, my family decided that we were best not to attend there. No, we did not vocalize our concerns to anyone…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[356,448,544],"class_list":["post-41102","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-answer","tag-attendance","tag-church","tag-membership"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":92373,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/does-a-church-have-the-right-to-remove-from-its-roll-a-member-who-no-longer-lives-in-the-area\/","url_meta":{"origin":41102,"position":0},"title":"Does a church have the right to remove from its roll a member who no longer lives in the area?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"November 28, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Dear Sir, I have been reading your articles and learning a lot from your Bible teachings. Thank you for all you do and for your heart to spread the Truth. Here's my question: There's a sister in our Church who was reached out while working as a house helper\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":18358,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/does-a-preachers-wife-have-to-attend-the-same-church-as-her-husband\/","url_meta":{"origin":41102,"position":1},"title":"Does a preacher’s wife have to attend the same church as her husband?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 10, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Is it wrong for a wife of a preacher (who is not a pastor and does not have his own church) to attend a different church, even though they both believe in the same faith (Jesus the Christ)? I don't believe it's dividing kingdoms because that means believing in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":36199,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/can-i-attend-a-christian-fellowship-instead-of-a-church-while-at-college\/","url_meta":{"origin":41102,"position":2},"title":"Can I attend an InterVarsity Christian Fellowship instead of a church while at college?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"June 28, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Hi Jeffrey, Hope you are well. I have been a Christian for 12 years now. I am going to college this fall. I'm very excited. The college I am going to, while not a Christian college per se, has a very active Varsity Christian Fellowship complete with its own\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":25124,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/can-a-woman-be-an-associate-campus-minister\/","url_meta":{"origin":41102,"position":3},"title":"Can a woman be an Associate Campus Minister?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 2, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I've been attending the church of Christ. I'm fairly new there. It's almost 30 miles away and there is no other acceptable church that I know of. My concern is with their campus ministry. My husband only recently noticed a flyer in the church hallway announcing a woman as\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":33097,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/why-cant-all-the-elders-in-a-city-get-together-to-direct-all-the-churches-in-the-city\/","url_meta":{"origin":41102,"position":4},"title":"Why can’t all the elders in a city get together to direct all the churches in the city?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"June 4, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: First, I would like to say thank you for posting your informative studies. I currently attend a church that has dissolved the eldership and has been operating without elders. After reading Keith Sharp's article on Autonomy I still have a question about elders. Our biblical example is one church\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":85045,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/can-a-church-divide-itself-into-smaller-groups-and-remain-a-church\/","url_meta":{"origin":41102,"position":5},"title":"Can a church divide itself into smaller groups and remain a church?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 24, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Good day, brother. Here's a case I'd like you to consider, A local church agrees to hold gatherings in different locations, not in the current meeting place but in zones based on proximity to one another. 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