All that matters is what the Bible says. In other words, the church isnt primarily a place you go to. The Great Commission. Although fellowship and friendship are important pieces of the Christian life, they are not the reasons we go to church. 92:13). We have seen preachers pray for war, tell their congregations who to vote for. When they left us, it proved that they do not belong with us. "When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. Fifty or 60 years ago, churches, in particular, were a center of social and cultural life in America. Our service schedule includes Saturday night at5:00 p.m. and Sunday morning at 9:00 & 11:00 a.m., and online anytime. If you ask Christians why they go to church, the answers will vary. The book of Hebrews instructs Christians not to neglect gathering together, but why is this so important? If both Mom and Dad attend church regularly, 72% of their children remain faithful in attendance. Im not telling you to go to a certain style, type, or denomination of churchIm simply challenging you to gather with other believers regularly to worship and hear the Scriptures. The Bible does not say: Don't forsake the assembling of yourselves together unless Sunday is your only day offor unless you want to run in a triathlonor unless it's a great beach day, in which case you are excused, because you just don't need fellowship as much as other Christians do. Relationships can become strained, and difficulties arise. According to Ephesians 1:12, we are here to praise our glorious God! To "continue steadfastly" speaks of a real passion. And so, the answer to the question, Why does it matter if I attend a local church? Want a refresher on the gifts Christ had for you? In particular, we feel more connected to others when we share an experience, such as worshipping together. One commenter writes: As an atheist, I still attend church every once in a while because I have no other easy means of socialization with people in my age group. And if they were all the same part, where would the body be? According to Merriam-Websters Collegiate Dictionary, we use church to mean: None of those quite fit how early believers in the New Testament understood the word church (Greek, ekklesia). Paul and the other apostles letters were actually sent to these church communities that gathered in various cities to be read aloud together. It's not as bad as it sounds. A popular Christian motto is, You dont go to church, you are the church. While I get this sentiment in some ways, it can lead to an unhealthy view, pitting being the church and going to church against each other. He is the author or co-author of several books, including most recentlyTruth Plus Love: The Jesus Way to Influence. The fellowship we have with other Christians is different from any other relationship we have. Maybe youre struggling with a specific question or need some direction in your life. The Third Article of the Apostles Creed gives us a clear explanation for what the Church does and the reason why we go to church: The Christian Church is the gathering place of all saints to hear the proclamation, You are forgiven., The reasons people give for church attendance are delightful benefits that flow from the purpose of the church. What Does the Bible Say about Visiting Graves? 1:1b; Eph. And you need a place to serve God with the gifts He has given you! When we are late, we miss out on glorifying God together. Psalm 133:1 says, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It gives us a space to pray and to express humility and gratitude. It is important to emphasize that we are not inferring that church involvement should lead to a trouble free or successful life. Find out more about her here. However, to go to multiple churches and not have one consistent place to fellowship is not good. Return to homepage. Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin" (Psalm 73:16). At church, you will receive the encouragement you need to deal with your current struggle. While there are a handful of Christians in history who chose an ascetic life or been exiled or imprisoned into one, this isnt the usual pattern of Christian faithfulness. How can we do these things if we're not gathering together? Why Is Sunday School Important in the Church? - Christianity It matters because attending a local church is an expression of your love for Jesus. Anyone who does not love remains in death." It left many asking the question, Why do we go to church?. It's so full of hypocrites!" All of us long for community and connection with others. Today, John Tweeddale explains the role of the local church in the life of Christs followers. 578 Montauk HighwayEast Moriches New York 11940, Content Copyright 2016: South Bay Bible Church; 578 Montauk Highway; East Moriches, NY 11940; (631) 909-8241; info@sbbcli.org. Why Do People Go to Church? - Christianity This is significant given the fact that Jesus is the only person on earth who could justifiably live his spiritual life alone. Then my questions came into a proper perspective.". The church has its flaws because people are in it. What Does the Bible Have to Say about the Church? Because you need a consistent theology. Why Do Christians Go to Church? - Concordia Publishing House A few years back, I saw a cartoon that stuck with me and relates to this. And then it dawned on him. The Church Fathers repudiate gender hierarchies in Bible. Were you purchased for God with Christs blood? We are not all called to go to the same church, but we are all called to be a part of a church. Suppose you are an important government official, and very powerful, and your grown kid comes home one day and says, "Dad, good news. Christian TV, podcasts, books and conferences are wonderful additions to our spiritual lives, but nothing can take the place of consistent Christian community through the local church. The Corinthians: Who Were They & What Was Paul Saying to Them? Israel's Push to Expand West Bank Settlements, Explained. Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. But the next time they were meeting, Thomas was there and his perspective was quickly corrected. I have time for church, but I cannot find a church as fulfilling as an hour in my backyard watching nature or curling up with a good book. The truth is, all of us have those weekends when we dont feel like going to church. However, this still means there are a huge number of American Christians who are not active in a local churchin the tens of millions. Yes, if you love God, you will love His people and long to be with them. Bringing someone along with you can help with some of those feelings. CPH publishes over 8,000 products for churches, homes (individuals and families), and schools including Bibles, Bible studies, curriculum, Vacation Bible School (VBS), Sunday School, worship resources, church supplies, Spanish resources, and other Christian books and gifts. Hebrews 10:2425 says, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Although they didnt have property of their own or professional clergy, early Christians met regularly. However, to go to multiple churches and not have one consistent place to fellowship is not good. On Saturday, Jack Mann married Isabella Clarke at St. Peter's Church in Sutton, Suffolk, England. Living a Christlike, sacrificial life inside of a world system that often stands in direct opposition to our values is tough (likely impossible) on our own. When told of it, he essentially said, "Unless I touch the wounds in His hands, I will not believe." Participation in Church or Religious Groups and Its Association with They break up with their spouse and initiate an unscriptural divorce, and then go to another church where no one knows them, with their new girlfriend or boyfriend. In that case, they likely do not fit into this category. Because you need a place to be accountable. Whether singing on the worship team, helping teach childrens Sunday school, or serving as greeters at the door, Christians choose to worship God through giving back to the church congregation directly. Have you started or stopped going to church for reasons that are more social than religious? Martin Luther said, "The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me.". Here are some examples of some things we may want our church to give us: Christians forget biblical reasons to gather at church are to worship God (to give: Romans 12:1), to give of their time and finances. Supposedly it. Whether its your spouse, a coworker, or your next-door neighbor, bringing a friend will help you feel less alone at church (and give you a head start on building new relationships in the church). Why Go to Church When You Can Watch Online? Sitting next to you on any given Sunday may be a visitor or a nonbeliever. Living in a relationship with other believers who are pursuing God and his kingdom rewards us with a sense of meaning and purpose. Christians want to know what this religious organization can offer, and if they do not give appropriately, Christians often move on to the next church. The Bible says the following about church: Lets try to break down these bullet points in the next few sections. 4. It shouldnt be a surprise that many of the one another statements of the New Testament revolve around teaching, caring for, and confessing to one another. At church, you will find people willing to pray with you about anything weighing heavy on your heart. First, let's address the . Answer (1 of 24): A2A Why is it so important to go to church in Christianity? The church, by its very nature, means multiple believers, who live out Jesus words in Matthew 18:20: Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.. Listen as they share what the Bible says and tell stories from their own lives about God's provision. If neither attend regularly, only 6% remain faithful. Here are six reasons why you should go to church: As one of His Ten Commandments, God commanded that we keep the Sabbath day holy (see Exodus 20:811). This is rarely as simple as "keeping out of hell." It is a prioritization of our place in the . Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:1217 that every professing believer is part of the body of Christ. 4:11-12; 1 Cor. You can also feel the Holy Spirit who brings love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, [and] faith (Galatians 5:22). If this is our reasoning for gathering, when friendships fade, so does our reason for attending church. Is the church more than just a building? Gods authority to baptize had been lost and some teachings had been changed. As the apostolic writers penned the New Testament in the first fifty to sixty years after Jesuss resurrection, the church didnt have buildings where they could gather regularly. The messages, the people, the singing, everything about church is designed to teach you more about God and the Bible. Its so much more than that. You can probably find a local congregation close to your home. In a church, your primary interactions are with other people in the church; if all you cared about was connecting with God, you could do that by yourself. Church never refers to an individual, lone-ranger Christian who goes about his or her Christian duties, never gathering together to worship with other believers. 12 Biblical Reasons For Attending Church DR. JOHN TWEEDDALE: The writer to the book of Hebrews in chapter 10 explicitly tells us that we are not to forsake the gathering together of ourselves as Christians. God called Joseph to be the new prophet, like Moses or Noah, to re-establish His Church: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Image: Wikimedia Commons B y the eve of the Civil War, Christianity had pervaded the slave community. According to The Institute for American Values Center for Marriage and Families, Religious Americans enjoy happier and more stable marriages than their peers who are secular or only nominally affiliated with a religious tradition. I am here for one reason: to teach you the Word of God. Church attendance can become one of the greatest blessings in you and your familys life. Return to homepage. Although these sacraments can differ among denominations (the most are featured in Catholicism), the following are ordained sacraments amongst all orthodox churches: Communion:A church will designate a number of times each year the believers will partake in the Lords supper (Luke 22:14-20). So when we were asked during the first few weeks of practice to run stairs for what seemed like an hour and do more push-ups in thirty minutes than I had ever done in all my previous gym classes combined, I nearly gave up. It made sense; it applied to my life! Now is the time to mobilize your congregation and your youth group to advance the gospel. The word "incarnate" comes from two Latin words meaning "in flesh.". Back in those days, the choruses and chords were very simple, but the worship was positively supernatural. Forgiveness is hard, but as anyone who has held a grudge knows, holding on to anger, hurt, bitterness, and resentment only hurts you. In those times, its important we lean on others. Its community. Her writing and speaking focus on encouraging others to live in freedom, equipping people to see Christ for them in Scripture, and empowering others with the great love Christ has for us. 1. Its about gathering with fellow believers to support, encourage, and serve one another as we grow in our faith. There have been countless studies about the correlation between faith and health with church attendance bringing positive results. I was amazed when I first heard the Bible taught. No matter your current reason for not going, here are 15 reasons why you should go to church. What legacy will you leave your kids? In fact, the Christian community has typically recognized this as a mark of their suffering. We cannot be the church if we dont go to church. And heres the reality of the Biblical call to gather with other believers: There are many options for going to church for each of us. Jesus said, Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them (Matt. They were a minority in their communities. (See this article for more on the meaning of communion. We don't need a special building, a special day or a special time to do it. Sacred Playgrounds is a practical theology project that Browning would have admired. Whatever obstacles you face, you will be blessed for choosing to follow Gods commandment to worship at church. Not just what happens on this platform, but the people around them. Acts 2:47 says that the early church was "praising God and having favor with all the people. Its a gathering of people you belong to. We do not go to church solely out of habit. We always grow better in community than outside of it. Even better more than merely socializing, church groups foster real community. Come attend a church service. There's some confusion in English, with the word "church", and honestly, it's the fault of the "Church" and not anyone outside. Heres an online form if youd like to send us a request right now: Another study found more religious adults in particular tend to exhibit, In addition to a pastoral care team, many churches offer, The Institute for American Values Center for Marriage and Families, people who worship frequently are happier. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." Why Go to Church? Sometimes, the Answer Is Community - The Atlantic We will look at inward and outward in the coming days. What happened to the church Jesus established when he was on the earth? God didnt design us to hyper focus on our own well-being. We're to love one another; we're to pray for one another; we're to endure hardships with one another. There will always be obstacles to attending church. The Church Fathers repudiate gender hierarchies in Bible. He died for it. A new Pew Research Center survey finds that the main reason people regularly go to church, synagogue, mosque or another house of worship is an obvious one: to feel closer to God. Although this article cannot cover the breadth of the Churchs purpose, we can, in a short period of time, discuss why people do go to church. A worship leader/team is not there to perform for you. Although fellowship and friendship are important pieces of the Christian life, they are not the reasons we go to church. Doctrine, or what we believe, affects everything we do. Thats the kind of coach the author of Hebrews calls us to become for one another in our walk with Jesusthe kind that cheers and spurs one another on toward Christian faithfulness. Why Israel Is Pushing to Expand West Bank Settlements - The New York Times In the New Testament, when people "went to church", they were meeting with the ecclesia (. Not going to church is a proof that something is wrong with you spiritually. Every Christian should gather together to hear the Scriptures and worship Jesus with other believers weekly (see Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. Parent wins back job after voicing objection to schools gender ideology lessons, Kirk Cameron demands investigation of American Library Association, Pennsylvania's Democrat gov. The outside world marvels when a child of God can rejoice in hardship. Additionally, churches need volunteers to help run programs and events. But that is not a reason to not attend church. Things such as friends, becoming a better neighbor, and going to church regularly all flow from hearing about the forgiveness we have through Christs death and resurrection. Among those who say church is not important, most are split between two reasons: two in five say church is not important because they can find God elsewhere (39%), and one-third say it's because church is not personally relevant to them (35%). Join thousands of others to get the FREEDOM POST newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post.