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How far should I drive to church
- Thread starter Salty
- Start date
I would suggest driving till you get there, unless you like to walk, in which case you can drive part way and walk the rest ... 
Seriously, I think driving 100 miles to church probably does not fall within the idea of "local" church. It is hard to be involved in a church when you are driving that far. And can you really ask your friends and neighbors to drive that far to go to church with you?? It seems strange to me.
Seriously, I think driving 100 miles to church probably does not fall within the idea of "local" church. It is hard to be involved in a church when you are driving that far. And can you really ask your friends and neighbors to drive that far to go to church with you?? It seems strange to me.
D
dianetavegia
Guest
SaltCity, do you have kids? Can you imagine driving your teens to a youth Bible Study that last 1 1/2 hours? Would you decide not to attend something at church because it's too far?
I think we should consider those type things when deciding how far we're willing to drive to church. We don't need excuses to 'not attend'! Satan throws plenty up every week!
Diane
I think we should consider those type things when deciding how far we're willing to drive to church. We don't need excuses to 'not attend'! Satan throws plenty up every week!
Diane
computerjunkie
New Member
I agree with Pastor Larry and Diane. I always felt if the drive was too far, it would be hard to stay active; i.e., Sunday nights, Wednesday nights, etc. A long drive would make an easy "excuse" not to stay home, in my opinion.
I Am Blessed 24
Active Member
We don't have anyone at our church that drives 100 miles, but we have several families that drive 30-60 miles one-way three times a week.
They feel like this is where God wants them and after what Jesus did for them, they don't see it as a hardship to drive that far to be in God's will. Some of them end up buying a home here.
I personally would not like to drive that far. As the other posters have said, it would be easy to make excuses to stay home (bad weather etc.)
I think each of us have to pray and find out where God wants us to be. Finding the right church home is a big decision...one that should not be made with other's opinions, but with God's guidance.
Blessings,
Sue
They feel like this is where God wants them and after what Jesus did for them, they don't see it as a hardship to drive that far to be in God's will. Some of them end up buying a home here.
I personally would not like to drive that far. As the other posters have said, it would be easy to make excuses to stay home (bad weather etc.)
I think each of us have to pray and find out where God wants us to be. Finding the right church home is a big decision...one that should not be made with other's opinions, but with God's guidance.
Blessings,
Sue
We have three young ranch hands (single guys) who drive 20+ on dirt road, then 40 miles into Casper. It was an adventure when I drove out to the ranch -- into the middle of nowhere!
They stay in town on Sunday, eat out, shop, see a film, etc, then after p.m. service head back out to a "home on the range". That is dedication.
When they get to town, they pass 5 other Baptist churches before ours. Why not just attend the first one? Well, after 90 minutes on the road, what is 4 more minutes?
They stay in town on Sunday, eat out, shop, see a film, etc, then after p.m. service head back out to a "home on the range". That is dedication.
When they get to town, they pass 5 other Baptist churches before ours. Why not just attend the first one? Well, after 90 minutes on the road, what is 4 more minutes?
I've always thought the best church is the one closest to you.
When I purchased my home, I researched a number of things. I drew a 1/2 hour driving circle around my work, a ten minute circle around my church and another around elementary schools (I alway liked walking to school as a kid).
If you have kids (or may have them in the future) the closer the better. Imange three trips a week to church for yourself and another two or three for the kids. Also where your fellowship is where your friends (and your kids friends) will be.
Rob
When I purchased my home, I researched a number of things. I drew a 1/2 hour driving circle around my work, a ten minute circle around my church and another around elementary schools (I alway liked walking to school as a kid).
If you have kids (or may have them in the future) the closer the better. Imange three trips a week to church for yourself and another two or three for the kids. Also where your fellowship is where your friends (and your kids friends) will be.
Rob
In the Big Cities today, most people think nothing about driving as far as they drive to work to attend church.
For over 3 yrs we drove two hours to church. Now we drive an hour 1/2. If it takes driving to go to a church where they believe what you believe and you are hearing the word preached without compromise, then drive. If it is where the Lord will have you go, He will make it possible.
If the Lord is clearly calling you to go and serve at a church 100 miles away, then my opinion does not really matter. However, If it's NOT a clear calling, then you should consider serving at a church closer to home that needs your help.
I'm a member of a church that is 3 minutes from home. Being close affords me the opportunity for service that I would not otherwise have.
Blessings,
Jeff
I'm a member of a church that is 3 minutes from home. Being close affords me the opportunity for service that I would not otherwise have.
Blessings,
Jeff
Pete Richert
New Member
I drive about 25 - 30 minutes to get to Church. It is march farther then I ever wanted and does make weekday attentence difficult. But as Wells put it, I have to go somewhere were the Bible is being preached!
stubbornkelly
New Member
If you're passing three or four or even ten churches on your way, perhaps you might consider visiting one of those, but 1) think about all the different kinds of Christian churches, much less Baptist churches and 2) the best fit, spiritually and socially, may not be the one right around the corner from you.
I've found that church congregations don't always match the neighborhood, and maybe that's because I come from an area of suburban sprawl. I was never able to walk to church - that's a foreign concept!
But even so, congregants tend to be more loyal than neighbors. My home church has a consistent core, even when its members move. Not 100 miles, maybe, but to the next town or another county, certainly.
When we first started attending Grove, we only drove about two miles, but then we moved and drove about 7, and now I think my parents drive 5 miles. I drive 8 miles. 100 miles is the distance between my house and my parents', and there's no way I'd drive that every week, much less two days a week It's a 2.5 hour drive one way on a good day (in the two years I've lived here, I've had about 6 good days, to give you an idea -- 3.5 hours is more typical). In college I walked to meeting most of the time - it was just across the street from campus.
I've found that church congregations don't always match the neighborhood, and maybe that's because I come from an area of suburban sprawl. I was never able to walk to church - that's a foreign concept!
When we first started attending Grove, we only drove about two miles, but then we moved and drove about 7, and now I think my parents drive 5 miles. I drive 8 miles. 100 miles is the distance between my house and my parents', and there's no way I'd drive that every week, much less two days a week It's a 2.5 hour drive one way on a good day (in the two years I've lived here, I've had about 6 good days, to give you an idea -- 3.5 hours is more typical). In college I walked to meeting most of the time - it was just across the street from campus.
We drive 1 hour to church and go on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. It has been a great blessing. We do have children and it is hard with a baby sometimes,but my older children love our church and enjoy the drive. We do not attend everything...we have to pick and choose. We are not able to serve like we have in past churches,but if a need comes up that we can help with,we do.
It is worth it to us because there is not a church in ur town that preaches expositorally(no,not one) and this church is a reformed calvinistic type church that we line up with doctrinally. There are many families that drive to this church from other towns.
Our thinking...we have driven much farther for less valuable things!
We would love to have a church closer,but compromising our beliefs is not something we can do.
Molly
It is worth it to us because there is not a church in ur town that preaches expositorally(no,not one) and this church is a reformed calvinistic type church that we line up with doctrinally. There are many families that drive to this church from other towns.
Our thinking...we have driven much farther for less valuable things!
We would love to have a church closer,but compromising our beliefs is not something we can do.
Molly
In our community, we have a choice between Anglican, Roman Catholic and United Pentecostal. We attend the Anglican. It is five minutes off.
The nearest Baptist Church is 80 miles and that is just too far at my age. Although, I have driven a much greater distance for preaching engagements.
Cheers,
Jim
The nearest Baptist Church is 80 miles and that is just too far at my age. Although, I have driven a much greater distance for preaching engagements.
Cheers,
Jim
When I was stationed in Zweibruecken, Germany we had a family driving some 80 miles one way to attend chruch. They usually would end up at the pastors house Sunday afternoon. The were unable to attend Wed pm or other weekly meetings. Our pastor went back to the States and we had a new pastor arrive. When he realize how far George was driving every Sunday, he inquired as to why. George told him this was the closest church. The pastor then recommended he start a new church at Hahn. So he did! Within two years there were over 100 Americians in attendence. Do you suppose these 100 would have driven the 80 miles. I like the formula Deacon used. Lets call it DEACONS 10 MINUTE RULE! If you are drivng more than 30 minutes to church, then maybe you should do what George did, Start a new church. Remember where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name I am in the midist! Go ye into all the world (that includes your hometown) and preach the gospel...
Daughter of the King
New Member
Well, I started at my SBC church because it was my husband's church. Yes, isn't biblical headship a good thing? I loved the pastor's practical biblical teaching. I also started working right near there back when I was in corporate America. This made it very convenient to go to mid-week services etc. right after work. On Sunday, I'd get there early for bible study, ease into the afternoon post-service brunching/lunching with friends, then observe the Christian Women's fellowship bonding of Shopping at Wal*Mart , and head on home around 5 or so.
Now that my husband is dead for almost 2 yrs and I no longer work near there driving the 25 miles each way and then having to deal with challenging parking in my urban neighborhood makes joining in more church activities quite daunting.
I have been feeling the LORD leading me elsewhere, but I don't know WHERE yet instead. I've looked into other Baptist churches NEAR me. I'll be checking one out soon, but since our church is also where my newbie Christian brother likes the preaching, and we attend together, again, I am loathe to leave quite yet.
God bless!
Princess
, and head on home around 5 or so.Now that my husband is dead for almost 2 yrs and I no longer work near there driving the 25 miles each way and then having to deal with challenging parking in my urban neighborhood makes joining in more church activities quite daunting.
I have been feeling the LORD leading me elsewhere, but I don't know WHERE yet instead. I've looked into other Baptist churches NEAR me. I'll be checking one out soon, but since our church is also where my newbie Christian brother likes the preaching, and we attend together, again, I am loathe to leave quite yet.
God bless!
Princess