Why Do We Go to Church?
Here’s Why Getting Together Matters:
Each week, people attend church services all over the world, whether they are on site at a building or online. They worship God in different ways, styles, and languages. We share a common value—regularly getting together. Ever wonder why we go to church? Let’s look at a few reasons together.
Church is:
When many people think of the word “church,” we tend think about a building—but it wasn’t always like that. About 2000 years ago, Jesus brought His followers together and launched them on a mission: to tell the world how to find forgiveness, love, and purpose in Jesus. And that’s exactly what they did.
They spread the message and good news about Jesus’ love and forgiveness and invited people to follow Jesus’ teaching and example. They were the Church, even if they didn’t have a building to go to every week.
The early church spent time together. They made it a habit: eating food together, singing, learning Scripture, and encouraging each another. They passed down the habit of getting together throughout the generations. One author from the early-church author wrote:
And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 BSB
Over the next 2000 years, as the church has grown it still values getting together regularly.
Why Do We Go to Church? Here are 3 Reasons.
1. Encouragement.
Life on your own can feel pretty comfortable sometimes. You only have to care about yourself and the things you want. You don’t have to worry about letting anyone down or what people expect of you. You avoid the possibility of disappointment or heartbreak from relationship. But the disadvantages of living alone outweigh those short-term benefits.
We were made to go through life with other people. By ourselves, we’re vulnerable to habits that destroy and self-talk that tears us down. And besides, strength grows in friendship.
To be a Christian is to be a people who are learning to live and love like Jesus. It isn’t always easy, but when we regularly get together with other followers of Jesus, we grow stronger, more passionate, and grow in conviction. Church is a place where we find encouragement through relationships.
Going to a local church (or to church online) each week means you get meet other people who can help you grow in your faith. You also get the opportunity to encourage others too.
2. Growth.
It’s easy to understand that following Jesus means living and loving like Jesus. But sometimes understanding happens easier than action. Jesus is perfect, but us? Well, that’s a different story.
But, God gives grace to each of us – and there is room for each of us to grow in that grace. Pastors and leaders give us opportunities to grow in faith. Even when it’s uncomfortable to discover an area where we need to grow, it’s still worth it.
And this isn’t a one-way street. As continue to become more and more like Jesus, we have the opportunity to help others become more like Jesus too. All of us have a God Story of what God has been doing in our lives, and when we tell those stories, we help others learn to grow in their trust in God too.
3. Different perspectives.
“Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.” So says Dr. Suess, and he is right – you are different than other people and they are different than you. So everyone else has a different background, a different perspective, and even different experiences with God. Someone celebrating a birthday with friends might understand a Bible verse about God’s faithfulness differently than someone who is grieving a loss. Both are important, and both can help us understand God more fully.
We have a lot to learn about God from each other.
When we go to church, we hear about the many ways that God has been at work in people’s lives and get a richer understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
We go to church because we need each other.
The Church isn’t a building, it’s us, you and me, following Jesus together. So let’s get together and make it a regular habit. It’s a gift that helps you and everyone you meet!
Making the Most of Church
Church is about relationships - your relationship with God and your relationship with other people. So, how can we get the full benefit from getting together as the church?
Attend regularly. It’s good to go to the gym, but it’s better to go more than once. If you want it to make a difference in your life, you’re going to have to go regularly. It’s the same thing for church. Make going to church a regular habit and you’ll get the benefit out of it.
Get to know someone every week. (or get to know them better) It’s can be hard to talk with strangers, but every friend you have now started with them as strangers. The best way to build a lasting friendship is to be curious – ask questions and share something about yourself too. Groups are a great way to meet other followers of Jesus and to get to know people.
Share what you have. In the early church, some people were smart, some had resources, and some had free time. You might have a skill, talent, or resource that could make a difference in another person’s life. Complete a SHAPE Test to discover your Spiritual Gifts, heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences and then meet with a pastor to find opportunities to serve.
Church is a people who are following Jesus together, not a place. Getting together is the best kind of habit, and we recommend it – we’re looking forward to seeing you at church on Sunday!