As I sat and watched my daughter’s soccer practice the other day, one of the parents struck up a conversation with me. We exchanged pleasantries about the weather and our children, where we both lived and how longed we had lived there.
At some point in our conversation, I mentioned my church .
Now, here is a mistake I am prone to make, especially in the South. I assume everyone is a christian. I assume everyone goes to church and enjoys it. So when the parent I am conversing with tells me he is a Christian but doesn’t see the need in church, it seemed totally out of left field. Sadly, many hold the same thoughts about church as this man does. At one time, I felt the same way.
If you would have asked me if Christians had to go to church a few years back, I would have answered with a resounding no. Why?
Bad theology.
Selfishness.
Pride.
And my list of excuses went on and on. But….
God instructs use to go.
God did not call us to walk the road alone. There is a reason He tells us to not give up meeting together (Hebrews 10:25.)
We need community.
We are powerful in numbers. And yes, you can experience true worship alone (we all need that time of solitude with God) but it was never meant to replace our time with fellow believers. There is something powerful when two or three gather in His name (Matthew 18:20).
And God’s word never tells us to abandon the church just because it doesn’t check off all of our personal wants and needs. Maybe instead of focusing on what doesn’t work, look at what is. And if there is a need, fill it, don’t complain about it.
Those in relationship with Christ want a relationship with the church.
Yes, sometimes church gets messy. Sometimes feelings get hurt and those in a position of influence disappoint. Something I often hear, especially in this generation, is the church is not a brick and mortar building; therefore, we don’t need to go weekly to assemble because after all, according to this theology, we are the church.
True. I get the sentiment, but if we are the church, won’t we naturally want to go to church to be with other like-minded people?
The Pastor of Together Church posted on Instagram this statement:
“If you say you love Jesus but are absent from the church, it’s like saying you love your spouse but just don’t want to live with them.” @micahncarter
Ouch. Truth slap.
Because in truth, you want to be connected to the things that are important and a priority in your life. So your excuses to why you don’t attend church on a regular basis are pretty much just that, excuses.
Don’t live separated from the body of Christ. You are needed.
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