I have that skip-guilt often.  People with children can appreciate how incredibly difficult it is to mobilize a family to be at a place for an hour or two.  It's a one day a week routine that is a killer.  That's the practical side.  The spiritual side is that I rarely feel a connection in church.  It can seem a contrived, intentional community.  I understand the importance of being a public, professing community of believers but it often seems more like reporting for duty.  

Two weeks ago, I led the mutiny to go to the nature center rather than church.  In one short hour, we saw the following: green back heron, hairy woodpecker, frogs, painted turtles, Great Blue Heron (almost landed on us!) Deer and an American Red Start [http://tinyurl.com/n7m9zt].  That last bird is small, secretive and only passes through our area during Spring migration.  I've only seen it once before.  2 of my kids got to see it and still talk about it.  I was recharged and had ample ways of talking about God's diversity with my kids.  

Also while there, we bumped into a guy and his two kids who I remembered seeing on a playground a few weeks back.  After I initiated a conversation he remembered us (who wouldn't, we're loud).  We talked for 15 minutes and then walked the park together.  As we left my wife asked why we didn't get his number?  I felt silly.  

Two days later, Joel (the stranger) remembered where I worked and that his neighbor volunteered there and had him deliver a letter saying how nice it was to meet us and that he didn't feel like our conversation should have ended.  He qualified up and down about being a wacko.  His comment that struck me was "if our children find it so easy to invite each other to talk and play, why should it be so odd for us to do the same?"  Indeed.  

We spent this past Saturday getting to know Joel and his family.  Two groups of perfect strangers sharing a picnic, looking at insects and enjoying each others company.  Interestingly, Joel was at the nature center skipping church as well.  I am guessing Kristin is saying it's not all or nothing.  We probably need both.  There are times when I crave being at church.  But I resent it when someone questions how I am being led by the spirit.