So, this week we were planning on covering the Trinity… however, that will be happening next Wednesday. We are going to be doing things a little different this week (don’t worry you’ll like it) and I believe this question will be more appropriate. It seems that one of the most popular questions from students is: “Why should I go to church?” It is in the question box almost of every week.
When I was younger we used to always talk about how you didn’t need to go to church to be a Christian. We would say things like, “if going to church makes you a Christian, does going into a garage make you a car?” The truth is, a lot of Christians seem to believe that church isn’t very important. Many of you may think church is a waste of time. Maybe you would rather be sleeping or hanging out with friends, than getting up and heading to a building full of people on Sunday mornings. And… to an extent, I would have to agree with you. If you think of church simply as what happens on Sunday mornings, then maybe you don’t need it in order to be a Christian. However, the church is so much more than Sunday mornings or Wednesday nights!
I can’t wait to see you at epic this Wednesday @ 7pm as we challenge the common definition of “church” and find out why you should absolutely be a part of the church. Both locally and globally!
So, what are your thoughts on this question?
This is an interesting topic. I would be interested to hear your thoughts on it. I have struggled with the idea of being faithful to the local church in the midst of disagreements. I am one who likes to live life on the seat of my pants, but I don’t see it honoring to God to just jump around churches like it’s no big deal. We always talk about our “Church Family”, and you wouldn’t just walk out on your relationship with your mom just because she didn’t dress like you, talk like you, or listen to the same music as you. So why do we do that with our churches?
Good question!
Church is also a place that will help you grow in your faith and mature you. It helps you learn more about the bible and god so that you can go out and lead lost people to god. Is that what I am suppose to do on these comment things chad?
Good thoughts so far… yes Kramer, congrats on commenting!
I wasn’t sure if old geezers like myself would be allowed to post on here!
One of the many things that is missing from the concept of church in todays mind is this … community. I see in Scripture that most of the books/letters written in the New Testament were addressed to believers (as in group, not a bunch of individuals) at a certain location. They weren’t as splintered as we are now .. i.e. the church of Salem now in reality consists of many churches. Back then though, believers clung to each other out of both joy and necessity.
Joy because they enjoyed being with each other. Many of the first believers worked every single day, they would gather as believers almost just as often (except usually in the night). They met as a large body and in smaller bodies of believers. They actually liked being with each other. They didn’t do a quick 60-75 minute service and call it good, they lived and ate with each other. Today what we have are self-focused followers wanting only to “get” something from church. I want MY music, MY style, MY version. When “church” is done, then we decide if it was good based on the MY’s.
Necessity because they shared with each other what was needed. They did that knowing they were helping other believers out. They also met, like Matt said, to grow in the faith. One thing I have experienced and seen in life, is that you should not follow Jesus alone. We have to sharpen ourselves up with others. Allow others to really see us and point out the things that do not reflect Jesus. We also as a group get to learn about God through scriptures. We get the opportunity to share love with others. I sit in the back of church often, my reason is to get a hold of people that need to be cared for.
We will never know how to truly care for someone if we don’t know them. We won’t know them until we spend time with them. In my opinion, we hop around to other churches because of 1) we recognize that no church is perfect – therefore I will pick and choose what I want from others and 2) we actually believe we will find a perfect church, so when we get disillusioned we hunt for something we will never find (we will just be disillusioned again).
Like Vin said, you don’t just leave yo mamma because she is different than you. In fact, you almost want to find a group of people that are NOT like you to worship God among. Then you can see other ways of living the faith life out.
Nuff said … for now!
I agree with all those statements…
Church is a time to learn about God from his word and from other people, to help you become the person God has planned. As far as people,we’re called to have fellowship and that doesn’t mean just with people our own age. There’s not just a youth ministry, or just childrens ministry, there’s all ages for reasons. I’m constanly in awe of the people at our church because of faith, attitudes, and the sincere love they show, from the elderely people to the young kids to the youth. We’re supposed to grow, learn, teach, inspire, encourage, and be there for eachother. God wants us to share our love with others and other’s love with us because we’re not meant to do everything on our own. As followers in christ we are sisters and brothers, we are family
So we can become stronger to god and learn what he has did for all of us and his miracles