House to House Church Ministry - Home Church Movement in America - Free Bible Studies, Teaching And Resources!
 
Picture
Click Picture For Part 1
Over 110,000 Google searches every month are initiated with phrases like "Why Go To Church?" What are people looking for? Words to remind them of the importance of fellowship? Some support for skipping church? Are others bored with church and their walk with God and hope to find something more than what they currently have? Whatever the reasons, if you've stumbled upon this article using a similar search, I'm glad you're here and I pray you'll find what you're looking for.
 
                                            Why Should I Go To Church?


First, let's be clear about something: We don't go to church; we are the church. Church is a family more than anything else. However, since “going to church” is how most of us describe assembling together, I'll use it for this post.

Reasons Why to Go To Church

You Matter! Your Participation Is Important.
Too many of us wouldn't put church and participation in the same sentence. We're used to a few performing for the many who sit and listen. But here's what I Cor. 14: 26 says: How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. Christ designed his church to function like active and connected members of a body under his headship.


You Have Spiritual Gifts to Share With Others
According to Rom. 12, I Cor. 12-14, and Eph. 4, Christ has given gifts to his church. These gifts are for edifying others and should be encouraged. If you are not assembling together, others can't receive what you have, nor will you be blessed by others. Have a look at those chapters above to see what Christ has given to his church! We all fit in there somewhere.

Note:
 Spiritual Gifts and their use is a big topic and deserves it's own post. Ask about it later!

Your Presence Adds Excitement
Every group or church has it's own unique flavor and dynamic. Ever notice how the level of excitement raises or lowers according to who and how many of us assemble together? Numbers aren't what's important, but be assured others notice your absence. Have you ever been comforted by certain people just being there consistently? I sure have! You have no idea how  your faithful attendance impacts others.

Church Is About Giving & Receiving
Jesus Christ designed his church to be an interactive fellowship. Read the book of Acts and you'll see a dynamic church praying for and with each other, looking out for each others needs, meeting in each others houses at different days and times, teaching, speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues, prophesying, working miracles, offering words of wisdom and knowledge, and preaching the word. Everyone participated!

Does the Bible say you have to go to church? Here's what the Bible says...
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

(Hebrews 10:23-25)

What is emphasis? Considering one another...provoke unto love and good works...exhorting one another... It's not about buildings, position or title, multimedia light shows, praise teams, elevating pastors, or fundraisers. Some of these things are helpful, but not the focus. Urging each other on from glory to glory is far more important than programs or electronic gadgetry.

The bottom line is that we were all created by Almighty God for purpose. We all have a special place in the body of Christ - and it's not in a pew! We have gifts to give, wisdom to share, miracles to experience and encouragement to receive from others.
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. (Ecc. 4:9-10)

The enemy of our soul would love nothing more than to see God's people separated from other believers and feeling worthless, unused, and unappreciated. We'll never experience the thrilling fulfillment God has for us if we're all by ourselves. The same is true if we're stuck in an organization that won't yield to the biblical pattern of interactive church.

Related Article: Important Things You Should Know About Church Before You Go Back!

If you'd like to get the next blog update, join our e-mailing list on the Contact Page!
 


Comments

Patty Tillerson
07/27/2011 07:29

Yes, the church is "us" everyone of us who are believers AND DOERS! My volunteers activities in this community provide me with much more opportunity to "spread the word", to "live the word" than attending church---I
check blood pressures at the Senior Center twice a month---that is really not about blood pressures, but as I do that, they often "unload" on me and I have the opportunity to encourage and if possible help them. As a Victims Advocate, I am able to show my faith in interviewing victims, helping them get "ono track", etc. Also, as an assistant to the coroner, I respond to death scenes that are in crisis and again, an opportunity to let the love of God shine on them through me---that is my daily prayer, "Lord, please use me as a tool through which others can know your love".
The church I used to attend has a Newsletter and recently I was appalled with an article by the "appointed" Lay Leader in which he wrote that "clicks are good, they are OK in the church---there is the choir click, the handbell click, the dinner for 6 click, the dinner for 8 click, etc., etc. etc.--you just need to find your own click"
This is part of why I don't go, I don't fit into any of those clicks and never
felt anyone really cared if I was there or not---I thought that, especially in church, "we are all one". . . hmmmm
God bless!

Reply
07/27/2011 07:42

Pat,

I like part II much better than part I. It is very important that we assemble (or, church) together as a body. At times it's the only time we meet with our fellow believers and it can be a refreshing break from dealing with the issues in the world from day to day. God gave us work and He fully expects us to deal with the issues that arise--it builds character and aids in our redemption. But He also gave us rest. In His law He gave us permission to rest one day in 7. To me that means I can responsibly lay aside those daily concerns to focus on my relationships--with God, family, neighbor, and church.

Reply



Leave a Reply