Why Church Is Important

 

There are many reasons not to attend church. So why is church important? What does the Bible say about the purpose and benefits of God’s Church—and how to find it?

More than a quarter of Americans are religiously unaffiliated—atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular.” Religion pollsters are calling them “nones.”

This group is growing rapidly, while among those who identify as Christian, church attendance keeps dropping.

These trends are not unique to the United States. In fact, most other Western nations experienced this decline in church attendance decades ago.

People are finding a lot of good reasons not to go to church.

“Why I don’t go to church”

Consider these reasons discovered in a Google search for “why I don’t go to church”:

• “I’m 29, single and a Christian. Moment of vulnerability here: I don’t like going to church. I used to like going and got SO much out of it, but now, not so much. My question is: Why should I keep attending?”
• “Mainly, because I’ve always found Church extremely boring. Sitting for an hour (or, even worse, an hour and a half if the priest is too inspired), half listening to a lecture while taking a glance at the clock every two minutes, is not something I like doing. Especially when it means I have to wake up early on a Sunday.”
• “I make no secret of the fact that I am deeply troubled by the state of organized Christianity. Most of what we call ‘church’ today are nothing more than well-planned performances with little actual connection between believers.”
• “I was taken aback by our journey to find the right church. It was almost unbelievable how most churches did not preach the truth. …
  “Most people weren’t attending church in order to be edified. They just wanted to be pacified, and pastors were willing to feed their hunger for secular, inspirational messages; cute stories; clever presentations; emotional appeals; and, salesmanship. … Also there was usually an appeal for money, because it seems that most churches have a perpetual cash flow problem.”

Survey results: Why people don’t attend church

The hundreds of personal reasons combine into trends that the pollsters have measured.

Pew Research Center reported, “Overall, the single most common answer cited for not attending religious services is ‘I practice my faith in other ways,’ which is offered as a very important reason by 37% of people who rarely or never attend religious services. A similar share mention things they dislike about religious services or particular congregations, including one-in-four who say they have not yet found a house of worship they like, one-in-five who say they dislike the sermons, and 14% who say they do not feel welcome at religious services.”

Barna reported, “Millennials who are opting out of church cite three factors with equal weight in their decision: 35% cite the church’s irrelevance, hypocrisy, and the moral failures of its leaders as reasons to check out of church altogether. In addition, two out of 10 unchurched Millennials say they feel God is missing in church, and one out of 10 senses that legitimate doubt is prohibited, starting at the front door.”

Barna summarized that, across age and denomination, the top two reasons for not attending church are:

• “I find God elsewhere” (40 percent).
• “Church is not relevant to me personally” (35 percent).

What the “nones” have right

Those who mark “none” in the religion box on surveys are right to reject irrelevant religion. Why choose to go to a church that provides no meaning or help? Why go to a church if God is not there?

Many churches today are not in tune with the Bible and the practical help it gives and the real hope it offers.Many churches today are not in tune with the Bible and the practical help it gives and the real hope it offers.

Still, we strongly believe that the truth of the Bible—including the importance it gives to the Church designed and approved by God—remains relevant.

If the churches you have been to are not relevant, how do you find the right one?

What God intended for His Church to be

What does the Church Jesus founded look like? Why did He establish His Church?

God designed His Church to accomplish His work on earth (Ephesians 4:11-16). He made it an ideal place for the people He calls to grow to become His children.

God uses His Church to nurture, feed and protect His children. He provides education and training through the Church.

Members of the Church of God make up the Body of Christ—God binds them together and uses the abilities and gifts of each member to help the body grow and accomplish His work (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). God intends all to be connected together—not to try to go it alone as independent Christians.

The Church is evidence of God’s love. God has given ministers “to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). “Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Ephesians 5:25).

Christ’s sacrifice made it possible for our sins to be forgiven. Then Christ’s work as Head of the Church cleanses the Church “that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish” (verse 27).

God wants us to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24), to love one another as He loved us (John 13:34), to become His sons and daughters (2 Corinthians 6:18). He wants us to preach the gospel and to prepare to serve in the Kingdom of God (Matthew 24:14; 20:25-28).

But most people today haven’t experienced this kind of Church—the biblically based and God-focused group of believers fulfilling God’s mission for the Church and growing in grace and knowledge.God’s Church is designed to help us do all these things and more. The Church of God is a gift God provides to those He calls.

But most people today haven’t experienced this kind of Church—the biblically based and God-focused group of believers fulfilling God’s mission for the Church and growing in grace and knowledge.

Where can this group of called, chosen and faithful individuals be found? What should you look for to locate the biblical Church of God?

How to choose a church

Consider some biblical reasons to go to church. Does the church you used to attend, or the church you are considering, provide the things the Bible tells us the Church should provide?

• Accurate biblical teaching to help you live God’s beneficial but narrow way?
• Christian fellowship that stirs up love and good works?
• Reverent worship of the Almighty God in spirit and in truth?
• Prayerful participation in the mission to preach the good news of the Kingdom of God in all the world?

Of course, God is working through fallible humans to build His Church, so those looking for a perfect church are sure to be disappointed. But God’s Church will be striving for these things.

Are you looking for the right things in a church?

Many people’s criteria for searching for a church include things like:

• Church near me.
• Mega-church.
• Church with my kind of music.
• Church with varied social activities.
• Church that always makes me feel good.

But the Bible doesn’t promise that any of these will be signs of God’s “little flock” (Luke 12:32).

And the biblical approach to church is not just about our needs or what we can get.

What should you give to the Church?

With a nod to the 1961 U.S. inaugural address, we should “ask not what the church can do for you—ask what you can do for the church.”

The Church of God is designed to be a place of peace and encouragement, but God doesn’t call people to just “get” from the Church. We are also called to give.

• We are called to serve our spiritual family (Galatians 6:10).
• We are called to “stir up love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24).
• We are called to encourage and build up (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
• We are called to prayerfully support the preaching of God’s good news and the nurturing of new disciples God calls (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15).

By serving in these and other ways, we not only do our part, but we grow to become more like our Heavenly Father.

Is God calling you to His Church?

Many are surprised to learn that the Bible doesn’t really support the idea that you should “attend the church of your choice.” In fact, Jesus said the initial choice is really the Father’s: “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” (John 6:44).

The Bible describes this as God’s calling—He leads or impels people to come to the Church of God when He determines it is the best time. Not all are called to recognize their sins at the same time. Not all see the need to change, be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit. (Receiving that Spirit makes someone part of the Church, as Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:13.)

But when God does choose to open our minds to understand the Bible and recognize His precious calling, we do have a choice. It’s the most important choice in our lives!

Will we repent, be baptized and become part of God’s Church? Or will we ignore God’s calling and forsake “the assembling of ourselves together” (Hebrews 10:25)?

If God is calling you to the benefits and growth opportunities He gives through His Church, study everything you can to make sure you choose the right church for the right reasons.

Our biblical study Where Is the Church Jesus Built? can help. Download it and study carefully with your Bible “whether these things [are] so” (Acts 17:11).

Are You a Christian or a Disciple?

 

The label Christian is given generously, but being known as a disciple is rare. What’s the difference? What do these words tell us about how God wants us to be?

I was somewhere around the age of 8 or 9 when I first fielded the question, “What kind of church do you attend?” The question came from a curious classmate.

How does an 8-year-old answer such a question? Well, I answered the same way millions of other children, teens, young adults and adults have most likely answered for hundreds of years—“I’m a Christian.”

Definition of Christian

Christian is an easily recognizable category. According to Merriam-Webster.com, the modern English definition of Christian is “one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ.”

However, the biblical definition of Christian is more challenging. Of course, my classmate didn’t expect me to open a Bible and show how I met the biblical definition. Just saying I was “Christian” was enough.

A Christian is generally understood to be someone who believes Jesus existed and was the actual Son of God who died on the cross and was resurrected as the Christ—our Savior.

That’s certainly a foundational concept, but is that all there is to it?

Is just saying you “believe” all that it takes to be a Christian?

Unfortunately—and I say unfortunately because much of the world misunderstands—there’s much more to being a Christian than just saying you are.

Origin of the word Christian

To define being a Christian, it’s beneficial to understand where the term began. You may find it surprising that the name did not begin as a term of endearment or a badge of honor. In fact, there’s little evidence that those who followed Christ’s teachings in the first century called themselves Christians.

Scripture shows us that the early followers of Christ referred to one another as “believers” (Acts 5:14; 1 Timothy 4:12), “saints” (Acts 9:13; Romans 1:7), “brethren” (Acts 6:3), “the elect” (Colossians 3:12; 2 Timothy 2:10), “the church of God” (Acts 20:28) and “slaves of God” (Romans 6:22).

It seems it was people outside the Church who first called them Christians.

The first recorded use of this label comes in Acts 11:26, “The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” This indicates that it was the people of Antioch who referred to the believers this way.

There are only two other uses of the term Christian in Scripture: Acts 26:28, where King Agrippa uses the term, and 1 Peter 4:16, where being a Christian is associated with suffering.

Is everyone who calls himself or herself a Christian automatically a true Christian?It’s safe to assume being labeled as a Christian today is much more benign than it was in the first century. And with the sparse biblical use of the term, it seems people have accepted a very broad definition for Christian.

But is everyone who calls himself or herself a Christian automatically a true Christian?

If we can’t find the term clearly defined in Scripture, let’s look at the characteristics of the people who were given this label in the Bible.

True Christian behavior

From the book of Acts through the book of Revelation, the New Testament examples of those called Christians show people who were completely dedicated to living by the teachings of Jesus Christ. These were not people who gave lip service to some new, fad religion.

They not only believed Jesus was the Messiah, but also made it their life’s mission to adhere to Christ’s commands and to accept and assist in spreading the true, authentic doctrine they had been taught by Him.

Being a “believer” was not just professing a word, but living a way of life. How do we know? Because they were willing to face great persecution, even to the point of death and martyrdom, in order to hold to their faith and the doctrines of Christ.

A Christian—a follower of Christ—is someone who follows every example, every instruction, every command given by Jesus Christ. According to the Bible, Christians do more than just profess their belief in Christ; they tailor all they do after Him, regardless of whether or not it’s acceptable in society or the easy choice.

The Christians we read of in the Bible—like Paul, Peter, Stephen, Timothy, Barnabas, Dorcas, Priscilla, Aquila and countless others—lived and died, often painfully, following Christ’s instructions and example.

They, too, stood bravely against the enemies of their way of life, just like the faithful people of God who had gone before them, described in Hebrews 11:36-38:

“Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.”

True Christians, as the examples of the early New Testament believers show, are willing to put aside their own desires and wholeheartedly dedicate every aspect of their lives to following Christ, the One whose name they bear! Being a true “Christ follower” requires actually living like Him.

Bible definition of disciple

If being a true Christian is following the examples and teachings of Jesus Christ, then what is a disciple? Is a disciple some type of next-level Christian—someone who has proven himself or herself more righteous than a regular Christian—like a super Christian?

The Greek word mathetes means “a learner, pupil, disciple,” “one who follows one’s teaching” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). Though disciple is often used of the 12 who were closest to Jesus, the Gospels and Acts use it far more broadly to describe all followers of Christ.

As Jesus said, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40).

Jesus explained the conditions for being a disciple. He said, “Whoever does not bear his cross [isn’t willing to suffer for his faith] and come after Me cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:27). And one must be willing to forsake all worldly focused desires to be a disciple of Christ (verse 33).

So being a disciple of Christ means abiding in—adhering to—His teachings, imitating His actions, and treating all others in a Christian manner—showing genuine love to everyone, everywhere, every day.We also see in John 8:31 that Christ expects adherence to His teachings: “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.”

And Jesus didn’t stop with just our relationship with Him. He also expects His disciples to treat their fellow disciples according to the highest possible standard. He said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

Of course, kindness and respect should be shown to “all men”—not just fellow disciples (1 Timothy 2:1; Titus 3:2). God is the creator of all, and He “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).

So being a disciple of Christ means abiding in—adhering to—His teachings, imitating His actions, and treating all others in a Christian manner—showing genuine love to everyone, everywhere, every day.

Is there a difference between a Christian and a disciple?

The parallels are unmistakable.

When we break down the definitions of both a Christian and a disciple, it’s easy to see there is no distinction between the two. To be a true Christian is to be a disciple, and to be a disciple is to be a true Christian.

Both are steadfast in their conviction. Both adhere wholeheartedly to His message, following every aspect of that message, no matter what.

There is only one way to be a true follower of Christ. It means far more than just believing Jesus came as the Son of God to take away the sins of the world.

It means surrendering our lives to His every instruction—not just acknowledging Him, but changing how we live. This means keeping God’s commandments, observing His weekly and annual Sabbaths, leaving behind sexual immorality, treating all others with love and respect regardless of race or nationality, and doing all we can to mirror the life of our Savior Jesus Christ.

As John puts it, “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6; compare 1 Peter 2:21)

This requires repenting of past sins, being baptized and receiving the Holy Spirit—the help we need to be able to truly follow Him (Acts 2:38).

If we do these things, we can be a true Christian and disciple of Christ.

If you’d like to learn more about how to truly be more like Christ, download our free booklet Change Your Life.

Christians: Strangers and Pilgrims on the Earth?

 

The Bible calls Christians strangers and pilgrims. How is the modern Christian life like a sojourner on a journey? What does the Bible say on this subject?

The Bible is the story of those called by God to be strangers and pilgrims. Christians today live in a world “under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19). But they are spiritually citizens of the Kingdom of God, and they are pilgrims on a journey toward that Kingdom.

Why does God want His people to be spiritual strangers and pilgrims now?

Under inspiration, the apostle Paul wrote: “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable” (1 Corinthians 15:19). The Bible is full of descriptions of the abundant eternal life to be enjoyed in the Kingdom that God has prepared for those who follow Him. The profound truth that few understand is that this life is the training ground for a wonderful future God has planned for each of us.

This world is our temporary home on the way to eternal life in the Kingdom of God.

What should we do as strangers and pilgrims? Consider first a lesson from the man Paul called the father of the faithful (Romans 4:16).

A lesson from the sojourn of the patriarch Abraham

There is a vital lesson Christian pilgrims can learn from the life of faithful Abraham. We read about his attitude of mind in Hebrews 11:8-13. His approach is one that we should be careful to follow.

Notice the following points:

• Abraham obeyed when he was called to depart to an unfamiliar location (verse 8).
• He dwelt in tents (indicating a temporary existence) as “in a foreign country” (verse 9).
• “He waited for the city which has foundations [not a tent!], whose builder and maker is God” (verse 10).

He, with the other faithful individuals listed in Hebrews 11, “died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (verse 13, emphasis added throughout).

Abraham continually kept his whole life focused on the permanent future city whose builder was God (see Revelation 21:2-3, 10), while considering himself to be a stranger and a pilgrim on this earth.

Strangers and pilgrims vs. the desire to be rich

Abraham did not even allow his great riches (Genesis 13:2) to hinder or obstruct his forward march to the future Kingdom God had promised. Nothing would get in the way of his achieving this ultimate goal.

The Bible warns that the desire to be rich can become a snare (1 Timothy 6:9). Being driven to accumulate money by any means can lead to various problems, including being “pierced … through with many sorrows” (verse 10).

Note that Paul is not condemning our efforts to excel in life. But while such endeavors may bring an increase in riches, our primary aim must be spiritual character development, which he explains in verses 11-12.

Jesus Christ encouraged true Christians—the sojourners and pilgrims on the earth—to practice the give way.An integral component of our Christian character must involve an attitude and desire to serve others rather than just satisfy ourselves. God’s way is a give way of life, rather than a selfish get way.

Jesus Christ encouraged true Christians—the sojourners and pilgrims on the earth—to practice the give way (Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35). He loves a “cheerful giver” rather than one who gives “grudgingly” or reluctantly (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).

Following the example of Moses, a stranger in a strange land

Moses is another example of an individual who looked to his future reward while being a stranger in this world. Though he said, “I have been a stranger in a strange land” (Exodus 2:22, King James Version), he firmly believed in God’s promises that those who would prove faithful to Him would be richly rewarded—in this life and in the one to come.

God was very real to him: “For he endured as seeing Him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27). He feared God more than the king of Egypt. There was nothing more important for him than gaining the reward God offered, and he rejected “the passing [short-lived] pleasures of sin” and “the treasures in Egypt” (verses 24-26).

What an incredible example!

Moses and Abraham realized, as we can, that physical wealth is temporary and fleeting (Matthew 6:19-21). But the promises for which God is preparing us for are spiritual and eternal (Matthew 6:33; Titus 1:2).

Peter’s instructions for Christian pilgrims

The apostle Peter provides additional instruction about this theme. He refers to true Christians as “the people of God” and “beloved” of Him. “Beloved, I beg [urge, exhort and plead with] you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts [human nature apart from God—living without the influence and direction of Christ] which war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:10-11).

If that war overcomes us, it may prevent us from reaching our God-given potential. Unless, of course, we display the same dogged determination and perseverance that faithful Abraham, Moses and other examples of unwavering faith demonstrated!

Barclay’s Daily Study Bible says the following about the words “strangers and pilgrims” in this passage: “They describe someone who is only temporarily resident in a place and whose home is somewhere else. …

“The Christian is a citizen of the Kingdom of God and it is by the laws of that Kingdom that he must direct his life.”

Furthermore, Peter says if you call upon your Heavenly Father, you should “conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear” (1 Peter 1:17).

Consider two aspects of this verse that teach spiritual principles:

• “Stay” (King James Version, “sojourning”) refers to a person living in a foreign land. “The Christian is a sojourner in this world. Life for him is lived in the shadow of eternity; he thinks all the time, not only of where he is but also of where he is going” (Barclay).
• “Fear” (reverence): “The Christ-filled life is the life of reverence (1 Peter 1:17-21). Reverence is the attitude of mind of the man who is always aware that he is in the presence of God” (Barclay). As we conduct our lives as pilgrims and sojourners we learn to worship God in awe, admiration, love and respect anticipating the ultimate promises He has set before us. (See more about the biblical meaning in our article “What Does the Fear of the Lord Mean?”)

God is, after all, our Heavenly Father!

What rewards should strangers and pilgrims desire?

Can we possibly expect greater and longer lasting rewards in this present world than those promised by God?Can we possibly expect greater and longer lasting rewards in this present world than those promised by God?

One of the many scriptures that give us as an assurance of future rewards of joy and abundant living is 1 Corinthians 2:9-10: “But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.”

The Bible reveals that the faithful patriarchs refused to “return” to the “country from which they had come out,” even though they had opportunity to do so. Instead their minds were steadfastly fixed on the city God had prepared for them (Hebrews 11:15-16).

True Christians are temporary dwellers, strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

May God give us the wisdom and deep-seated desire to reach for the awesome and incredible rewards He has planned for us!