Baba, get out. You don't know anything about development and advancement. The White people had the religion and still progressed, and the Asians, middle Easterns too. Religion is not your problem. What have you achieved?

Would you instead go to a mosque or shrine if you can't attend church? Would you rather be a Muslim, atheist, or traditionalist if you can't be a Christian?

There was a point where you gave excuses if not going to church cos of pastors. Later you said you v removed yourself from Christendom. You see, there are counterfeit products in every original. You might have gone to churches that aren't doing some things right. But not all Churches or, let me say, not all pastors. That bible verse about not forsaking thy brethren Hebrews 10:25, said so after considering Isaiah 57:15.

There's a difference between fellowship together and God that dwells in anyone holy. Even evil sects have communion and fellowship together to strengthen each other, not to talk about harmony and fellowship in the name of God. When you attend church, you'll hear messages being interpreted in diverse ways and more level of understanding. You pray/intercede for one another, and you make friends, etc. You can say friends can come from anywhere. But if you v friends from the house of God, it's cool too.

So, the lady inviting you to church did well. She may not be able to convince you immediately, and it's not by force.

But verily I say onto you. There's a part that leads to eternal life. That's the way of God. Jesus is the truth, the way, and life. Attending church services makes you hear the word of God from ordained servants. You can say you'll listen to it on the radio or TV, but if you can be physically present somewhere, do it. And evangelizing will make you fulfill one of the commandments of God to those that have received the gospel of Jesus.

Nigerian factors can bastardize things. You can see that Nigeria's sports, education, science, commerce, etc., are abused. The same way Nigeria affected the church. If you ask Muslims, Traditionalists, and even Atheists, their complaints won't be far from the Nigerian factor. But remove yourself from the Nigerian factor and serve your creator. Shalom.

To me, you keep listening to the suggestion of the devil. Jesus did not promise that you would see perfect pastors in the church. Don't hide under the canopy of good pastors, or they are doing business to ensure the assembly of God's children. Jesus has warned his children that in the end, many fake prophets will arise and deceive many. When Jesus said, many fake prophets will appear, where do you think you will find these counterfeit prophets? Is it not in the church? It means at the end of time, almost every member you see in the church would be fake (because he said they would be many).

However, Jesus, who told you these things would happen, did not tell you to forsake the assembly of God's children when you see all these bad things happening in the church. It is the devil that is suggesting to you that you are wise on your own. Jesus prophesied that in the end time, sins should multiply. If sins multiply, they may get to every segment of life involving pastors, church members, and the entire world, but when you see all these things, Jesus didn't tell you to leave or run away from the church.

Running away from church is never a solution, and it is the devil's deceit to make you cold so you can fall for his deceit of the devil by being one to hell. Jesus himself said in the last days, and many will become wax cold, it is the ploy of the devil to listen to suggestions not to go to church. You are not serving the pastor but Jesus, go to church and see what you can contribute positively to grow the church of Christ as you boost your spiritual temperature and fellowship with other brethren. Satan is going all around to give people reason why they don't need to go to church so he can win people to hell by making them too cold in the spirit. Be vigilant!

I can correlate. Churches in Nigeria are always enterprise as usual. Forget about the holiness they display on the pulpit. I remember about eleven years ago. I was very active in church matters then. I met with one redeem pastor after midweek service for a favor. Instead of helping me, the pastor's wife started advising me to go and give my life to Christ. And I wondered how often I needed to give my life to Christ.

Though going to church is essential, there are still some real Men of God. But they are few. Most are just worldly preachers.