Why Should You Go to Church?

I don't think anything is more important to me than "going to church." Many people give excuses why they don't go to church or don't want to go to church.

You certainly can't force anyone to attend church. That is the work of the Holy Spirit.

Why should you "go to church?" Why can't you just do devotions on your own?
Good questions. It is true God values personal devotions. In fact, He even commands us to "pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

"Going to church" is more than personal devotions. For Christians, "going to church" is the gathering together of a family, your spiritual family. It is as the Apostle Paul described it, uniting the members of one body, the body of Christ. (Romans 12:4:5)

God is more concern that those who are a part of His body be united as one. It is very similar to a marriage. Our marriage to the one, true God. It shows our connection to Him. We belong to Him. He created us to be with Him.

Every Christian is a member of the body of Christ, and every member has unique talents and insights. Sharing these gifts with each other as a unified body strengthens us in our common task of glorying God. You will experience four areas:

1. Fellowship. Regular attendance allows a Christian to become part of a church family---a community of brothers and sisters who share true concern for one another. "If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together." (1 Corinthians 12:26)

2. Corporate Worship. Jesus promised that "where there are two or three gathered together in His name, there He would be also. (Matthew 18:20) God is gloried when Christians speak of His greatness with each other, and He is pleased to be in our midst.

3. Personal Growth. Meeting regularly with other Christians is an opportunity to be encouraged in your daily walk with Christ, to receive godly advice in areas of difficulty in your life, and to be challenged by the example of more mature Christians. God commands us to "consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together..." (Hebrews 10:24-25)

4. Ministry. The Apostle Paul tells us that God gave "pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ." (Ephesians 4:11-12) Attending church allows us to receive the instruction of trained pastors and teachers, helping us to minister both to the world and within the Church.

Church is not just a building where you go to worship God. We, the people of God, are the Church. Since we each have unique gifts that God gave us and we all make up the body of Christ, it is essential that we share our gifts with one another in order to build up the body of Christ, and His Church.

I am very privilege to attend a loving and caring Church, where my Pastor and the leaders, are very devoted to building up the body of Christ and teaching us the Word of God. It makes my week complete, knowing that I will see my spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ each Sunday. They have been a blessing to me and my family. I thank God for them daily. It is my prayer that everyone should be blessed with a Church family and study the Word of God.

Thought for Today: "Going to Church" is God's personal desire for every person He has created in order to connect with Him and the body of Christ.