I don't go to church much any more (Part 1)

This all stems from a conversation that came about on Facebook.  
A local lady put this in her status update:  "I can't keep this in any longer, this morning I was questioned about why I haven't been going to church......but wasn't invited. I knew that I haven't been going but would think an invitation might have been part of their job !!"
This led to quite a long discussion, with various people giving their input.  I told them at the time I'd try doing a blog post about the subject from my own point of view.  This is going to take more than one entry, so I'll start with an old poem that was in a book my mom had when I was growing up.  You see, I want you to know first and foremost that it's my own fault I don't go to church much any more.  We'll move on from there in another entry.  

It Isn't the Church - It's You

If you want to have the kind of a church
Like the kind of church you like,
You needn’t slip your clothes in a grip
And start on a long, long hike,
You’ll only find what you left behind,
For there’s nothing really new.
It’s a knock at yourself when you knock your church;
It isn’t the church-its you.

When everything seems to be going wrong,
And trouble seems everywhere brewing;
When prayer meeting, Young People’s meeting, and all,
Seem simmering slowly-stewing,
Just take a look at yourself and say,
“What’s the use in being blue?”
Are you doing your “bit” to make things “hit”?
It isn’t the church-its you.

It’s really strange sometimes, don’t you know,
That things go as well as they do,
When we thing of the little-the very small mite-
We add to the work of the few.
We sit, and stand round, and complain of what’s done,
And do very little but fuss.
Are we bearing our share of the burdens to bear?
It isn’t the church- it’s us.

So, if you want to have the kind of a church
Like the kind of a church you like,
Put off your guile, and put on your best smile,
And hike, my brother, just hike,
To to the work in hand that has to be done-
The work of saving a few.
It isn’t the church that is wrong, my boy;
It isn’t the church- it’s you.

The entries on this subject may be sporadic... there may only be one more; there might be several.  For this subject only, I am taking guest entries.  If you would like to have your voice heard on this subject, send me an email with your thoughts and I will copy and paste it to my blog.  Let me know if you prefer to remain anonymous.  

I only ask that you keep it courteous and honest.    

Dear Lord, I hope I haven't opened up a can of worms.