Why attend Church? The word Church is derived from the Greek word “ekklesia,” meaning assembly or gathering. Therefore, the Church consists of believers in Jesus Christ who assemble or gather in a physical building for worship, fellowship, prayer, Bible study, communion, evangelism, discipleship, and other spiritual activities.
There is the “local Church” and there is the “worldwide Church.” The local Church is a gathering of believers that serve a local community. The Church worldwide is the collective group of believers around the world. Every believer is a member of the body of Jesus Christ. First Corinthians 12:27 says “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”
The Lord Jesus Christ gave His Great Commission to His disciples: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
By the preaching of the gospel, people who respond will be saved and become members of the body of the Lord Jesus Christ. Being members of the Church, believers are inspired to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ.
Church attendance should be the number one priority in the personal life of a believer in Jesus Christ. The Scriptures set forth the requisites for meeting together. “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). Note: “Not neglecting to meet together.”
When the Church meets, it is an act of collective worship and service to our heavenly Father. Hence, it should never be neglected or forsaken. How else can we encourage and inspire other believers, and even ourselves to remain faithful to the Almighty, His Word, and His cause? This is also important and all the more as you see the return of the Lord drawing near.
Some may argue they can read the Bible and pray at home. This is absolutely true and commendable. However, that is no substitute for being taught and spiritually nourished by Church pastors, leaders and others whom God has ordained to shepherd the Church. First Peter 5:1,2 addresses this matter: “The elders who are among you I exhort, who am also an elder . . . Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight of it.” (KJV).
Since it is God’s intent that His people actively engage in Church affairs; it is disobedience by being absent. Believers have no option but to be present when the Church assembles.
The Church is of utmost importance to the Lord Jesus who said, “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). In and through the Church, God is able to accomplish His will and purpose for His people and the world. Missions and missionaries worldwide have been established because of the local Church. Communities have been served because of the local Church.
Isn’t it any wonder the Scripture declares: “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her by the washing of water with the word, . . . so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25,27). This is the extent to which Christ loved the Church. He gave himself up for her, which was His atoning death on the Cross when He paid the huge ransom for Church to be His bride.
Therefore, in due consideration of all that Christ passed through so that the Church might be holy and without blemish, shouldn’t all believers find great joy and delight in Church attendance and where there is fellowship, communion, sharing, exercising spiritual gifts, and discipleship?
How can a Christian expect to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord by not participating in Church activities? The Church is foundational to the Christian faith. There’s no better place or way for Christians to practice their faith than to be present when the Church convenes.
David says this about himself, “One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple” (Psalm 27:4).
This shows David’s firm commitment to the Lord that nothing could deter. He whittled down his life to one thing I asked of the LORD. The “one thing” was to be present in the temple in those days. The “House of the Lord” is a building for public Christian worship. A place where religious activities are convened. Obviously, David found such great delight in his temple worship, he wanted to be present every day. He uses the word “dwell.”
The Church brings honor and great glory to the Lord as He presides over those who gather in His name to worship Him. Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20). The Lord’s presence is guaranteed to be wherever and whenever Christians meet together in His name.