Monday, January 11, 2010

Ask Anything: Why Should I Go To Church?

OK, I know Pastor Nick said at the weekend services that we should not read our Bibles (If you want the context of that radical statement listen to the message online), but I am reading my Bible anyway. I have been reading through the book of Acts and it really speaks to this question. In the stories told in Acts we find the birth of community for God's people.

Acts 2 says, "They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles' teachings and fellowship, sharing in the Lord's Supper and in prayer." And after a difficult circumstance recounted in Acts 4 we read, "...Peter and John found the other believers...then all the believers were united as they lifted their voices in prayer."

It is evident that the followers of Christ were finding value in being in community, even as they were persecuted and began to scatter all over the world. I believe that being in community is not just a good idea, I believe it is God's good idea.

Why don't people go to church? Here are a few reasons we have all heard:

I'm too busy
My kids are in sports
My house/yard/garden needs work
It's my only day off...give me a break

Church isn't really for me
The bible is too hard to understand
I don't know anybody there
The church is full of hypocrites

Yeah, I know...I've heard them too. But when we focus on these reasons (or excuses!) we miss out on seeing what God has for us as we rub shoulders with other Christ-followers.

Church is not just another appointment; it is the time when we can learn truths that will transform our thinking. It is also a place to use our God-given talents and abilities to serve and bless others. And it is a place where we can find safe accountability. It is a way to acknowledge the power and importance of God in our lives and homes.

Looking for more? Looking for better? Make time, make room, make it a habit to go to church. And look back at how the believers in Acts are described: "A deep sense of awe came over them all..." Now wouldn't that be worth rearranging your schedule for?

Am I being too simplistic here? Am I missing something? What do you think?

BTW, I totally agree with Pastor Nick's statement about Bible reading and meditating on the word, just for the record!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Other comments:
It's too stuffy and boring.
I can't relate.
The Bible is so old, there's no way it applies to my life today.
I hate all the singing.
I don't like to have to say "Hi" to those around me.
It's too early (I'm too tired).
It's too late in the day (wastes so much free time).
People will judge me/look down on me.
I've been hurt by the church before.
All they want is my money (TV evangelists are a HUGE turn-off in this respect).
I can worship God out in nature (in my home, anywhere).

To name just a few :)

I think that there are usually a few of those answers that all co-mingle.