“For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment,
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:14)
“For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:14) |
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Why go to church anyway?
1. I’m a good person. I contribute to society! I’m no burden to any one. Isn’t that enough?
Human society and social matters are important. But, the church deals with matters infintely more important--matters with eternal consequences. Are you certain about these? God‘s Word states “that you may know you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13) What an assurance that is!
2. My parents forced me to attend Sunday School and church services. I hated every minute of it. I don’t want to go through that again, nor force my children or anyone else to go through any of that.
Such a childhood experience is unfortunate and the church must always be attentive to presenting its message of eternal life in an interesting fashion. Weren’t there were lots of childhood experiences that we didn’t like very much (eating vegetables?). Our mothers coaxed us, commanded us, urged us, but we wanted ice cream and candy. Now we know that what we objected to was good for us. The “light” of understanding dawned for us. So it is with spiritual matters and eternal consequences.
3. Can’t I find God in my own way? What about nature? The majesty of the mountain, the beauty of a rose? How about silent reflection and meditation? Why must I go to a “church” to worship God?
Yes, the existence of God can be seen in many ways. The Bible states that everyone can know about God; there will be none with any excuse. (Romans 1:20) But knowing of the awesomeness and power of God, who created the mountains, still leaves us prisoners to our sinful state. We need to learn of God's mercy and His saving grace provided through the sacrifice made on our behalf by Jesus, God’s only Son!
4. I can get all the “church” I need and want by watching TV. Can’t I worship God in comfort from my own couch? Why must I make the effort to attend some other building and sit in an uncomfortable situation?
Certainly worshipping God is a very personal thing. At all times it is desirable that a worshipful relationship exists with God. But do we really take time out of our busy activities to spend solely with God and no other? We need the discipline and order of group worship to provide for such attention to God alone. And, as Christians we are to have a close relationship with other believers. We gather strength from each other and are blessed and are a blessing as we worship and fellowship together.
5. The church is a false organization. It is FULL of sinners, and worse yet, hypocrites. What right do these people have to present themselves as “better” than anyone else? Why should I associate with them?
It is unfortunate that there are some “church-goers” who do appear to present themselves as better people. But all church members are sinners like anyone else, though believers in Christ are forgiven sinners. Any human organization, and the earthly “church” is but an organization of human sinners, will have certain members that do not appeal to us. But we don’t reject the organization because of these people, or we could not live in any societal relationships. So we judge any organization by its purpose, its function, and its activites. So we judge the “church”.
6. All the churches are “money-grubbers.” I work hard and can hardly support myself or family in the style and manner I want. Why should I support a great cathedral with its highly paid clergy?
It is true that some churches are large and grand. But we cannot judge from such appearances what is spent per member for such facilities. Perhaps some smaller churches spend more per member for facilities than the larger churches. But as members we have the responsibility to know where the church spends its money. And we must take part in that determination. Certainly God is worthy of a grand worship center, yet we must balance that aginst the needs of the poor, the sick, and the elderly. We must look to God for His guidance in all financial matters.
7. Church services are DULL and LONG. Preachers give a “dry” sermon and the music is amateurish.
Indeed, there are greatly varying tastes in music. And preaching is not of the same style or excitement to all. But in searching for a church taht appeals to us, we need to watch our attitudes toward worship. We do not go to church to entertained--we go to learn of God and His grace and provision for eternal salvation. This we learn from the message, expressed in preaching and song. Are we listening for this message, or just feeling good in doing the “right” thing in attending church?
8. I’ve tried going faithfully to church every Sunday. But I didn’t get a quiet, restful, peaceful life...a life of enjoyment out of it.
Going to church is not a duty. We cannot better ourselves by such dutiful work. We attend church out of gratitude to God for what He has done for us. And in the process we will be spiritually fed by God’s Word, and will be nurtured by fellow believers. The trials and tests of life that we face are not related to how strictly we attend church. But the support that comes from fellowship with other believers will be of great help in our earthly and spiritual walk.
9. I’ll antagonize my friends and be disowned by my family if I become a church member. The church is too exclusive in its operations.
While it is true that some church organizations practice “selection” to participate in certain worship practices, we must make our own individual determination about our beliefs. The only basis for Christianity is Christ. And we learn of Christ through the written and spoken word in the church. As to friends and family, many of these people have come to believe by the example of faith and good will that comes through being a Christian witness to them.
10. I don’t understand all this theology with its interpretations that are not readily seen or understood. The church is too buried in hidden meanings.
We do not need to get concerned about all this theology that is discussed among the mature Christians. Paul stated the requirements for salvation very simply to the jailer at Philippi, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31) But it is also true that we are to mature in our beliefs. We are not to stay at the simple beginning. (Hebrews 5:12-14) This maturing of faith we do through study and the hearing of God’s Word in the church.
Why not give church (or a Bible study or a gathering of believers in someone's home) a chance?