Why do I go to church, and Should I?

Creatures of habit we are, going through the motions without giving any thought as to why. There might be a better way, or it may not even be good for us, yet we keep right on going through the same motions. Change is scary and laziness feels pretty good for many.

Today, I want to share a few possible reasons people attend church. I made these up a few months ago for a sermon, to get people thinking. I know not everyone goes to church that reads this, but it might give you a different perspective, so I hope you continue reading.
Possible Reasons to Attend Church:

1. Your parents or spouse make you.
2. You hold a position of leadership in the church.
3. It makes me feel good
4. It’s a babysitter for my kids
5. I like the attention and affection I receive
6. It is a place to network to gain clients or customers for my business.
7. To hear God’s Word, and grow closer to Him.
8. To avoid the guilt feeling I get when I don’t attend.
9. To see and be with my friends.
10. People will think better of me if I go to church.
11. I’m just in the habit – feels weird when I miss.
12. It gives me a place to wear and show off my nicer clothes.
13. I go to look for Christians who do more wrong than myself. That way, I don’t have to improve since I’m better than them. It also makes me feel good pointing out others’ faults.
14. Church is where I catch up on gossip.
15. I like feeling part of a body where I can serve God with the gift He gave me.

More than one of these exaggerated reasons is correct. BEWARE – you’re about to get SHOCKED! In my humble opinion, they are all correct reasons for going to church. How can I say that?  Read on.

Church is God’s House…a place to gather and worship Him in song and study. Yes, we can worship at home individually, but it is the church where we get fed through corporate singing and prayer, and hearing God’s Word taught. We’re part of His body. We can take communion together in remembrance of what Jesus did. We can worship in tithes and offerings so God’s Word can reach outside the churches four walls. Most of all, it is a filling station to get fuel to endure the world and be able to witness. Lastly, church is a hospital for the sick to get well.

You see, why you go to church doesn’t matter. What matters is how long you come for that reason. Over time, you should be hearing God’s Word to the point it moves you to change. As you do so, your reasons will begin to change. They should continue to change, or you’re attending the wrong church.

Josiah, the next to the youngest King of Israel didn’t even know God’s Word, but he worshiped the God of his ancestors. He knew certain laws to follow from hearing about King David. He knew idols were wrong and did the right thing by tearing them down.  God’s Word was found when redoing the temple. He had it read, repented, and changed. He held a Passover unlike even his ancestor, King David. He got rid of the remaining idols and had everyone in Israel listen to the reading of God’s Word.

We might go to church for an apparently wrong reason, but as time goes, we might pick up a few right things to obey. Eventually, we might feel the gentle tugging during a sermon and give our heart to Jesus. After that, we’ll make plenty of mistakes, but we’ll continue to go, learn, and grow. Just don’t quit, and don’t make fun of any sinners going either.

LET’S TALK. Have you ever thought about why you or others go to church? Did you read anything to cause you to think differently?

© 2017, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.