I love church, but there are quite a few people who don’t. For me, attending church is integral to my Christian faith. However, I have never attended the perfect church service – sometimes the music is lacking, the sermon falls flat, or I’m distracted by the folks sitting next to me. For all of its perceived flaws, attending church on a regular basis has been good for my soul. Research supports this by showing that people who regularly attend church report stronger social support networks and less depression; they lead healthier and longer lives.
When my family relocated to the west coast, we started hunting for a church. During that time, we found it was better to go to a church than to stay home and worship God by ourselves. This feeling reinforced that there was something tangible missing when we didn’t attend church.
Let me explain; here’s what you miss when you don’t attend church:
Coming together to praise a sovereign God, regardless of our individual circumstances, is beautiful. Some people are exuberant in their praise, while others are mellow. Some are loud, quiet, raise their hands, or just cry. But the central thing is that all of these are expressions of praise and worship to God. Sometimes in the midst of this joyful time, I am reminded that I will be doing this for all eternity, and it takes my praise to a new level.
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Every week we have the opportunity to consciously give financially to our place of worship. This giving is an extension of a faith that we already practice. By giving financially, we are sowing seed into the church body. And in a small way, we are emulating what Christ first did for us.
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Humans are wired for fellowship. When the word fellowship is broken apart, we see that we are all fellows in a ship working together, supporting each other, and encouraging each other. We have this reminder in Scripture also not to neglect coming together in worship with the purpose of exhorting each other. (Hebrews 10:25)
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When I’m tempted to stay home, but I pull myself together and make it to church, God makes it worth the effort. Many times, the conversations after church are unplanned, but it’s where I hear what’s burdening my sister or brother in the Lord. Usually, at the end of these conversations, we lift each other up in prayer, and we usually leave better than when we came.
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God may prick your conscience a certain way in the company of believers. The person sharing God’s word spent time in preparation, and now is your time to partake of what was prepared. After the service, you have the opportunity to discuss it with the pastor or someone in the congregation so that you can go deeper. That spoken Word is the foundation for you to go deeper as you study God’s word.
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You have access to staff or a team that is there primarily to serve you. Just asking a question or sharing your thoughts encourages them. In addition they can challenge you to adjust your perspective as you learn the Bible for yourself. If you need prayer, they are available to pray for you.
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Since I’ve attended my current church, I have become a hugger, and a hug is the first sign of affection. I love hugging newcomers or people who look a bit unsure of where they are. It’s my way of letting them know that they’re all right, and God has them right where they need to be.
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Have you ever attended church after having a fight with your children? Or speaking curt words with your spouse? You’re in church with the music playing, and the pastor starts preaching. Then you turn to your spouse and mouth, “I’m sorry.” Meanwhile, your child goes to Sunday School and learns ways to love others better. None of this would have happened if you stayed home. Relationships are mended on Sunday mornings.
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It takes many people to run a church. We all have various gifts and talents, which can be used to serve others in the church body. Your talents could meet a desperate need, and they may even lead to other exciting opportunities. Bloom where you are planted and watch God bring results.
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Often, we have no idea what the person sitting next to us is going through. They may have seen God work miracles in their lives during the past week. They sit serenely in the pew, but it is only by the grace of God that they are there. If we venture to speak with people around us, we could be encouraged and inspired by what God is doing in their lives. We are all living testimonies. Hearing others’ testimonies offers different displays of how God works.
The next time you are tempted to stay home on a Sunday morning, get yourself together and join in the company of believers and the presence of God. Go as you are, and let people minister to you. Be prepared to hear God speak through his servants from his Word. Be open and willing to let God work in you and through you in mighty ways. You’ll be better off for it.
Nylse is a Christian wife and a mother of four who loves life and inspiring others. She likes to have fun but is very clear on who she is and Whose she is. A prolific thinker, she blogs to encourage others from a Christian perspective at www.lifenotesencouragement.com. She can be found online on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
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