Church attendance can be a very controversial subject because people attend or don’t attend church for a variety of reasons—personally and otherwise. Some are persuaded that by watching a live or recorded radio or TV broadcast of a Church service is sufficient to meet their spiritual needs. Nothing could be further from the truth. However, people who are homebound or otherwise incapacitated, God knows and understands each situation.
We can worship anywhere or any time we choose. However, there is such an awe, a beauty, a wonderful and inspiring experience of going to Church which nothing can replace. In doing so, we meet corporately to worship God with others “that have obtained like precious faith through the righteous of God and our Savior, Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1). Christians need each other for fellowship, encouragement, spiritual growth and maturity in the things of the Lord.
Church attendance is an essential part of the Christian faith as it demonstrates “whose we are and who we worship and serve.” However, no one is “saved” (becomes born-again) just by attending Church. A person is saved only by repentance and believing in Jesus Christ for salvation. Going to Church is for God’s glory and our spiritual well being in obedience to His Word. King David had to be excited about going to the temple in his day, when he exclaimed: “I was glad when they said to me, leet us go to the house of the LORD” (Psalm 122:1).
Sunday is the first day of the week, referred to as the “Lord’s Day,” because many people don’t work on Sunday and find it very convenient to be in Church. Meeting regularly with other believers is a joy and source of inspiration and strength. The wisest man wrote: “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). Coming together as Christians in Church fellowship definitely enhances our “walk” with the Lord. No wonder, the writer to the Hebrews states: “Do not neglect the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:23).
We go to Church for many positive reasons. For example, to hear and be instructed in God’s Word and how to “grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). It is an expression of our gratitude to God for providing His Son Jesus Christ to be our Savior. In addition, the local Church is an extension of the human family.
Although we gather in our respective Churches for fellowship, let us also remember that “Our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ” (1 John1:3). The Lord Jesus Himself has declared, “For where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20). This means the Lord guarantees His presence to be with us whenever we meet as a body of believers. Christians make up the body of Christ, therefore we belong to each other.
Perhaps many of the “underground Churches” in China and other countries that are hostile to christianity wish they had the freedom to worship God openly and publicly as we do here in the United States. Since Church attendance is of the highest importance, why not embrace the opportunity of being in Church this Sunday and successive Sundays. God will bless you for doing so and you will profit from the privilege and experience.