Why should a Christian go to church? Does it matter if they don’t? Can you be a Christian and not attend church?
This blog originated from a discussion with a group of Christians. One of the members saw no need to go to church and claimed he found it a hindrance to his Christian life. He insisted he felt closer to God by spending time reading God’s Word, communing privately with the Lord and making time to interact with those outside the church. He saw no problem with this. Other Christians in the group tended to think for a short period of time, this might be okay but that it must not be allowed to become a permanent pattern.
There was a time in my Christian life when I did not go church. When my mother was ill with terminal cancer, after prayer I concluded my priority must be to stay with her as much as possible, since I was her only child and she was not at that time a believer. God sustained me through this time. My mother died, having come to know the Lord, through input and support from my Christian friends. I resumed going to church quickly, because it’s too easy to make not going to church a habit.
But does a Christian need to go to church? What does the Bible, our ultimate authority, have to say?
If we look at the Old Testament, God required his people to gather together for worship. God instituted special times of festivals and sacrifices, Exodus 23:14-20God arranged for the building of the tabernacle Exodus 25-31 and ordered the keeping of the Sabbath as a holy day and day of rest. The tabernacle reminded Israel of God and their need to worship Him. When it was finished the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle, Exodus 40:34.
Later, Solomon built a temple, 1 Kings 6 and the whole assembly of people gathered I Kings 8:22 where Israel offered sacrifices to God, 1 Kings 8:62, 65. This time of worship and celebration brought joy and encouraged the Israelites, 1 Kings 8:66.
In the New Testament, Jesus instigated a pattern of meeting with his disciples. After Jesus’ death the disciples continued meeting for prayer and to praise God, Luke 24:53. So began a practice of New Testament believers meeting together Acts 1:14, 12:12.
Hebrews 10:25 the writer of Hebrews warns believers ‘Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing.’ If you look at the context of this admonition, it comes right before, ‘but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching,’ and after, ‘And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,’ Hebrews 10:24.
So, it seems to me, that the man I mentioned earlier who saw no need to go to church is neglecting one of the basic reasons for going to church- that of ministry and of encouraging and strengthening other believers. It appears his attitude towards church is that of the consumer – what can I get out of it, rather than what can I give? How can I serve someone else today?
What is your attitude as you go to church?
Is it out of a sense of duty and compulsion?
Is it based on what you can get out of it – an emotional high or help for the week ahead?
Is to with joy and praise to worship your God?
Is it for what you can do to encourage and strengthen other Christians in their faith?
In my next blog I’ll look at a practical issue that maybe you have not thought about regarding going to church.