Monday, May 5, 2008
Why go to church on Sunday?
I have several friends that are proclaiming Christians but that are not active in their local church. Often times I will extend to them an invitation about visiting my church, Pinedale Christian Church, and from time to time I am met with the above question. "Why do I need church?" they ask me.

Sometimes I am asked point blank, "Do I have to go to church to get to heaven?" To which I respond, no. Sometimes I hear all the talk about the church is full of hypocrites, "they aren't any better than I am." Then I reply, see you already fit in.

This does bring up a good question though and one that deserves addressing, "Why go to Church?"
Let's address this question from several different angles and look at the subject point by point.

1. Fellowship with other Christians is a staple of the Bible.
Matthew 18:20
For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Hebrews 10:25
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

God created us to be a social creature. In Genesis he saw that Adam was alone and new that this was not good. God recognized man's need for contact with others. God also realizes that man has the tendency to emulate those he surrounds himself with. If we surround ourselves with the world all the time and never recharge by fellowshipping with like-minded Christians, who do we begin to act more like?

2. We need to be spiritually fed.
Matthew 4:4
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "

While it is right and pleasing to God for man to study God's word alone, there are times when we all need to refer to someone else for their opinion and insight. Where better to do this than a church with educated and reliable men and women who look at the Bible as the Word of God and not a fictional collection of morality tales. Church provides you with biblical scholars who have devoted their lives to the study of the scripture and everyday people who face life and apply the Bible to their lives everyday. If you want to eat you don't go to the automotive store you find a restaurant. If you want to feed your spirit you don't go to Wal-Mart you go to church.

3. Why Not?

If you are looking at church from the perspective of a Christian there are very few reasons that you can come up with will stand-up to your own scrutiny. Yes it is nice to sleep in a few extra hours and no it is not always easy to roll out of bed when the alarm clock goes off, but put this into perspective.

If you have a job it is no easier to roll out of bed and get going in the morning to be there on time than it is to be at church. However, most of us manage each morning to be at work on time. Why? We are held accountable. If we show up late we lose money, and if we become habitual then we lose our job. It all comes down to priorities. What does it say of us if we claim Jesus' atoning blood and recognize that he died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins yet we are too lazy to roll out of bed on Sunday?

If you don't feel comfortable at the church you were attending, I encourage you to find another church where you do feel comfortable. If you are new to the faith and don't have a church home, I encourage you to search around for the church that fits your needs. Sure going to a new church can be awkward and even a bit embarassing because everyone else knows the routines and where to go, but finding a church home is well worth the time spent searching!