Why “Go to Church”?

Jonathan Banning is one of the fine young preachers in our brotherhood today. He is a co-laborer with Don Truex at the Temple Terrace Church.

On their church facebook page, which I recommend, Jonathan shares some excellent, thought-provoking posts. Here’s one I recently read that may challenge your current view of church attendance.

Don’t skip it because you are a regular attender. You may be the one who needs to reflect on this the most.

You could argue that it shouldn’t be the case – that prayer and Bible study are more fundamental – but it’s likely true that the most basic habit of God-oriented people is showing up for worship every Sunday.

You can spot the believers in your neighborhood when they get up on the first day of the week, get dressed, and emerge from their homes to drive to their place of worship. That’s what believers do! That’s why we call them, “Church-going folk.”

And that’s good. Christians ought to assemble with the saints on the first day of the week. That’s what the church did in the New Testament (Acts 20:7) and that’s what the writer of Hebrews instructs (Hebrews 10:25). However, I think it’s important that we understand the purpose of assembling and why it strengthens our faith. I worry that sometimes we assume assembly is merely about showing up and being able to say, “I was there! I heard the sermon! I darkened the door! I did my time!”

Please understand…

Assembling is not just about putting in time
Assembling is not just about hearing a sermon
Assembling is not just about checking a box to say you did it

If that’s what we think, then it’s no wonder why…

Christians show up and dart out the doors ASAP
Christians opt to stay home and livestream rather than show up
Christians attend weekly and still feel so lonely

Brethren, we gather for a purpose – to stir up one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24). Assembly is our chance to make connections, to invest in our church family, to bind ourselves together in love. Assembly is not a box to check but an opportunity to make the most of this amazing gift God has given us in His Son (Matthew 19:27-30).

Peter instructs us to add godliness to our faith and that includes assembling with the saints. Remember that you are not simply, “Church-going folk,” you are members of a true spiritual family, and assembly is your chance to enhance and enjoy a bond deeper and more profound than blood (Mark 3:31-35).