Everybody Ought To Go To Church

SYNOPSIS: We were made for each other, we need each other, and others need us. Why do you think we are called the body of Christ or the family of God? Why do you think each one of us was given gifts of the Spirit as salvation? Those gifts are meant for use as we edify one another. How in the world can we love each other, serve one another, lay down our lives for one another, and walk in unity with one another if we are not in a physical place with one another? When we neglect going to church, the world will not be able to know that we are his disciples by our love for one another.

The Journey// Focus: Deuteronomy 12:4-5, 8-11

You must not make sacrifices to your God just anywhere, as the heathen sacrifice to their gods. Rather, you must build a sanctuary for him at a place he himself will select as his home…. You will no longer go your own way as you do now, everyone doing whatever he thinks is right; (for these laws don’t go into effect until you arrive in the place of rest the Lord will give to you). But when you cross the Jordan River and live in the Promised Land, and the Lord gives you rest and keeps you safe from all your enemies, then you must bring all your burnt sacrifices and other offerings to his sanctuary, the place he will choose as his home.

In full disclosure, I am a pastor. I love the church—not just the living organism, but the organizational structure. I love the place where the body of Christ comes together, and I place a high value on its importance to the health of the believer, the witness of the spiritual community and the authentic worship of God. Now let me hasten to add that I also believe that the place can be not only a traditional church building, but the church can meet in a home, an office, a coffee shop or under a tree. Wherever two or more come together in Christ’s name, and there is intentional discipleship, employment of the Spirit’s gifts, fellowship, witness to the lost, worship of God and missionality, there the church can thrive in a God-pleasing way.

I love the church! And I think everybody ought to go to a central place with other believers to be in church. Of course, we are the church! But there is also a place we call the church, and even though tabernacle/temple laws have changed from the Jewish Scriptures as God transitioned his covenant to the new community in the Christian scriptures, there is still a place for the central location of gathering.

I know that rubs against the grain of a growing number of believers who think they can be Christian without going to church, but I strongly disagree. Of course, you don’t go to church to be a believer, but you should go to church because you are a believer. Why? Clearly, it was important enough to God that he warned his people against a lackadaisical, wili-nili, do-whatever-you-want approach to central worship. He warned them that taking such an approach would lead to undisciplined and unaccountable worship that would drift into worship that was more man-focused than God-centered.

When God destroys the nations in the land where you will live, don’t follow their example in worshiping their gods. Do not ask, ‘How do these nations worship their gods?’ and then go and worship as they do! You must not insult the Lord your God like that! (Deuteronomy 12:29-31)

Think I am stretching the interpretation of that statement to fit my own appeal for church attendance? Go back and read the chapter in context. That is precisely what the Lord is warning his people will happen if they wander in their worship from the central place of sacrifice. A believer neglecting the physical place of worship is a believer who cares more about their preferences than God’s prescription for worship that honors him. Frances Havergal was right: “An avoidable absence from church is an infallible evidence of spiritual decay.”

There is a further reason for gathering with other believers in a physical location. Christianity, just as is true of Judaism, is communal as much as, if not more than it is individual. We were made for each other, we need each other, and others need us. Why do you think we are called the body of Christ and the family of God? Why do you think each one of us was given gifts of the Spirit at salvation? Those gifts are meant for use as we edify one another. How in the world can we love each other, serve one another, lay down our lives for one another, and walk in unity with one another if we are not in a place with one another? When we neglect the central place of worship, the world will not be able to know that we are his disciples by our love for one another.

I could go on and on with this one, but let me just say it again—as clearly, strongly and unapologetically as I know how: everybody, and that includes you, ought to go to church. And make it early and often, why don’t you!