You need the church and the church needs you

How would you describe your relationship to the church? For many Christians, the answer would be “It’s complicated.”

These days, a lot of believers don’t attend church regularly. Some have been hurt by a church in the past, and they haven’t darkened the door since. Others really want to go to church, but distance or physical challenges have made it difficult.

Even those of us who go to church regularly may not always be there mentally. We’re busy thinking about our to-do lists—or just trying to stay awake!

But church should not be an afterthought in our lives. Gathering together with other believers is part of God’s plan for our spiritual growth.

You need the church and the church needs you.

Even if you’re physically unable to attend church every Sunday, it’s vital that you stay connected with other believers. Why is that?

First of all, there is value in corporate worship. Acts 2:47 says the early Christians were “praising God” together. Think about a crowd cheering for their favorite sports team—there’s something powerful about people coming together to show their appreciation.

Second, there is value in fellowship. Hebrews 10:24 says, “Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.” The word translated as “stimulate” means to provoke or irritate. Picture a grain of sand that causes an oyster to produce a pearl. We need to stay connected with other Christians who will provoke us to be more like Christ and to produce godly fruit in our lives.

The writer continued, “Not forsaking our own assembling together . . . but encouraging one another” (v. 25). In times of difficulty, we find support by being with other Christians. And we’re called to minister to other believers in their time of need as well.

Third, there is value in serving. In 1 Peter 4:10, the apostle said every believer has received a “special gift” that we’re to use “in serving one another.” The word translated as “gift” comes from a root word meaning “joy.” There is true joy in using our spiritual gifts to serve other believers.

Finally, there is value in being equipped. Ephesians 4:12 says we come together as believers “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.” In the church, we give one another the encouragement and instruction we need to go out and share the gospel.

I urge you to make connecting with other believers a priority in your life. This might mean:

• Visiting or reaching out to a Bible-believing church
• Taking steps to remove any obstacle that’s keeping you from gathering together with believers regularly, whether it’s a schedule conflict, lack of transportation, or bitterness about a past hurt you experienced in a church
• Joining a small group (such as a Bible study or Sunday school class) or finding a place to serve
• Preparing physically and spiritually to worship on Sunday by going to sleep at a decent hour on Saturday and reading God’s Word before bed

If you already have a church home, think of somebody you know who hasn’t been to church in a while. Would you reach out and invite them to join you? In our world today, we all need the instruction, accountability, and support of fellow believers more than ever.