Gen, it's never just one issue that drives us to leave anything (a job, a marriage, a church, etc.), is it? And I totally get the disillusionment with Christians who are supposed to be new creations but have a way of screwing so much up (myself included). I do have a thought about this statement, though: "The people I know who seemed to become better and kinder and more fulfilled over time, myself included, did not become this way through Christ, or through any organized faith, for that matter." It's very common, in our society, to think of Jesus and organized faith as one in the same thing, but I think we really need to be careful about that, for many reasons. In this case, here's what I think (my own, gut-level theology that many will find flawed): You can separate yourself from organized religion, just by choosing not to be a part of it, but you can't separate yourself from God, who created all of us in his image and loves us whether we go to church or not. If that's true, it means that any true self-improvement and enlightenment that happens simply cannot be apart from God. (I understand that I'm starting with a premise you and many others might not be able to claim, but I had to throw it out there. :)

Karen, I agree: "...there are SO many reasons God gives us to “go to church.â€ I especially feel that pull as a relational being, created to be in communion with God and others. The intellectual/theological arguments for going to church are clear, but what I'm wondering is whether any of it makes a real difference in our lives and the world. I realize that's a big, generalized thing to wonder, with so many different people and churches out there, some much more committed to growth and renewal than others. But still, I can look at it on the smallest scale: How does going to church change me? How does it affect my family life and my marriage? How does it bring more heaven to earth in my community?

Tess, thank you!

Chris, I don't think I've heard the term "Divine Service" before, or if I have, it didn't take root in me. Where did you come across it and how did you learn more about it? I love the idea that it's "about the gifts God gives us when we gather together." Do you see it as a place of giving gifts to each other, too? Or is Sunday morning worship meant to be a time of receiving—once we are edified we can then go out and give? Sorry—so many questions!