Why Bother with Church?

I have run across a number of people lately, several who are dear to my heart, who have bad feelings about going to church or they have stopped going altogether. The title of this blog is Why Heaven Matters, but today I want to explain why church matters. There is a direct link between Heaven and the Church of Christ, His body here on earth.

The simplest reason why believers should attend church is because it is commanded. The writer of Hebrews is addressing some believers who were falling short in certain areas of the Christian walk, and in the midst of his correction he makes the statement, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:23-25 Italics mine)

The second reason to be involved in church life is also hidden in the Hebrews passage above: “encouraging one another.” Some time ago I wrote a Bible study on the “one anothers” of the Bible; I counted 52 different places where the actual words “one another” appear in the New Testament or the concept is clearly intended. I categorized the many occurrences into five types, suggesting that our sharing in the Body of Christ falls into one or more of these: fostering peace and harmony with one another, encouraging one another, confessing to one another, loving or caring for one another, serving one another, and correcting one another. If we neglect meeting together, there is little chance for these important duties to take place.

If it is not enough to say church attendance is commanded, no doubt because of the many necessary responsibilities we have toward one another, there is one more reason I will mention: worship. I agree with all those who say that one can worship anywhere; in fact, I believe we are supposed to worship everywhere, if by worship we mean demonstrate our opinion that God is worthy to be praised. It is true that one can worship God on the golf course, on the lake, or in the woods. The trouble is that doing that to the regular exclusion of Sunday morning meetings is in violation of a clear command. The Bible has some pretty harsh things to say about people who offer worship to God while ignoring what He requires of His worshippers. Besides, there is something precious about gathering together with fellow-believers and joining in corporate worship, prayer, proclamation of the Word, and don’t forget the breaking of bread (communion) which Jesus also commanded to be done.

I sympathize with the negative feelings I have heard expressed by some. Three of the people I have recently heard from were hurt by people in the church at the very time they should have received comfort. A couple others have found it so frustrating to see little or no growth among their fellow-congregants that they see little use in continuing to attend. One person I know has fallen prey to the popular misinterpretation of our security in Christ, claiming that he “accepted Christ” as a child, and there is nothing he needs to do beyond that youthful confession.

The bottom line is that we don’t go to church expecting to find perfect people. Quite the opposite is true: we go to church because we are all imperfect people needing the support and guidance that the Body of Christ provides. If you or someone you know has fallen out of the habit of church attendance, consider this. Until we reach that glorious day when our flesh is totally redeemed by God’s grace at Heaven’s gate, the Church is the closest thing we have to Heaven on earth. I detest “church hopping” because of petty grievances, but there are plenty of churches out there who are “doing church” in a way that makes it worth attending. If you don’t have one, find one. It’s for your best in the long run.