Anyone outside of Christianity may wonder why believers choose to gather once a week (often on a Sunday, but some denominations gather on other days) to engage in worship and to receive a message. Even those within Christianity who do not attend church regularly may wonder why many others in the faith choose to make this a weekly habit (sometimes multiple times a week).
Although this article cannot cover the breadth of the Church’s purpose, we can, in a short period of time, discuss why people do go to church.
What the Bible Says About Church
The Bible says the following about church:
- Those in the Early Church would meet together to fellowship, break bread (have communion), and to pray (Acts 2:42).
- Christians are commanded to meet regularly together (Hebrews 10:25).
- This gathering is a place to serve and honor one another (Galatians 5:13).
Let’s try to break down these bullet points in the next few sections.
1. To Fellowship
Christians gather to fellowship with other believers. No one understands the journey of a believer quite like other believers. In Christian community, at least once a week, Christians can gather together to share everyday experiences.
Those who are going through a difficult season can rest in the fact others in the congregation have been through the same plights and can provide encouragement. Those in a more fruitful season can give to others who need help in the congregation, so no need exists among them.
2. To Do the Sacraments
By sacrament, I mean something ritualistic which has a symbolic meaning. Although these sacraments can differ among denominations (the most are featured in Catholicism), the following are ordained sacraments amongst all orthodox churches:
Communion:A church will designate a number of times each year the believers will partake in the Lord’s supper (Luke 22:14-20). They will eat bread or a wafer of sorts, which represents Jesus’ body, and wine or grape juice, representing Jesus’ blood. (See this article for more on the meaning of communion.)
Baptism:As an outward sign of an inner condition, a believer (via immersion or sprinkling) will be doused with water to represent the death of their old self and the existence of their new self in Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). Churches differ as to whether one can be baptized as an infant, as an adult, or both. (See this article for more on the meaning of baptism.)
3. To Worship God
Christians go to church to worship God. He gives us 168 hours per week, and believers choose to go to church 1 or 2 hours of those weeks to give that focused time back to Him.
Christians worship God through praises, the songs we sing as a congregation. But also, in a number of other ways at church:
Volunteering: Christians worship God through volunteering time at church ministries. Whether singing on the worship team, helping teach children’s Sunday school, or serving as greeters at the door, Christians choose to worship God through giving back to the church congregation directly. (1 Samuel 12:24, Romans 12:1, Galatians 5:13, James 1:22)
Offering: Christians worship God by trusting Him with finances by giving a percentage of income at offering. (Acts 20:35, Hebrews 13:6, 2 Corinthians 9:7)
Prayer: Christians gather together to engage in corporate prayer. They choose to lift up the needs of other congregation members, the local community, and the world. (Matthew 18:19-20, James 5:14-15)
Being Attentive to the Message: The pastor gives a message which will equip the church with the tools to examine God’s word clearly and to share it with the world. Choosing to be attentive to what God has to say is a form of respecting and honoring Him. (Proverbs 2:1-5, Romans 10:17, James 1:19)
4. To Give, Not to Receive
Especially in America, Christians can approach church in a receiving mindset. Christians want to know what this religious organization can offer, and if they do not give appropriately, Christians often move on to the next church.
Here are some examples of some things we may want our church to give us:
- Favorite style of worship or sermons
- Specific programs and groups - any other number of things (This list could take up the whole article.)
Christians forget biblical reasons to gather at church are to worship God (to give: Romans 12:1), to give of their time and finances. And, ultimately, to receive tools of ministry that they, in turn, give away. Christians listen to sermons to prepare to share the gospel.
A reason people may not go to church is they approach the idea of church with a receiving instead of giving mindset. Granted, some people have been burned-out by serving the church or need time to heal from a congregation which had hurt them. In that case, they likely do not fit into this category.
Hope Bolinger is a literary agent at C.Y.L.E. and a graduate of Taylor University's professional writing program. More than 350 of her works have been featured in various publications ranging from Writer's Digest to Keys for Kids. She has worked for various publishing companies, magazines, newspapers, and literary agencies and has edited the work of authors such as Jerry B. Jenkins and Michelle Medlock Adams. Her column "Hope's Hacks," tips and tricks to avoid writer's block, reaches 6,000+ readers weekly and is featured monthly on Cyle Young's blog. Her modern-day Daniel, “Blaze,” (Illuminate YA) released June 2019 and the sequel “Den” releases a year from now. Find out more about her here.
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