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The End: Why Should We Attend Church

Author: Kristina M. Rhoades | Category:The End | Volume 10 Issue 2

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Common Excuses for not going to church:

  • You don’t have to be in a church to know God (to pray, to have God speak to you, to worship, etc.).
  • I will never attend church because those people are hypocrites.
  • I don’t feel loved at that church.
  • I don’t like the way that pastor preaches (prays, speaks, acts, etc.).
  • I don’t like the people there
  • The music is too loud (old, new, too contemporary, too traditional, not my style, etc.).
  • The people are so cold there.
  • The congregation is too big; it’s too small. (The building, the worship team, etc.).
  • I don’t have any money to give. They ask for too much.
  • I don’t get fed there.
  • I don’t feel well.
  • I’m too old. I’m shut in.
  • I’m not a morning person.
  • I’d rather sleep in.
  • I have to work Sunday mornings.
  • I’ve been emotionally hurt by those so-called Christians.

    • Solutions for the Excuses:

  • There are 60 churches within a 5 mile radius of my home. Every one of them is a different denomination, with different preaching styles, teaching different semantics. Keep going until you find a church that you like, that shows you the love you need, that preaches the way you want, that acts the way you think, that worships using the type of music you like, that is the size of the church or congregation you would like, etc.
  • We should not attend church for what we can get but rather what we can give. And that doesn’t mean financial giving. Change your approach as to why you are going to church and you will notice people are much more friendly and loving.
  • You can afford to go to church. Whatever you give during the offering is between you and God and should be given freely from your heart. Churches do teach about tithing, which is required of us in the Bible, meaning we are to give 10% of our income as an offering to God’s work. God even states in Malachi 3:10 to “test Him in this” and see if He won’t open the floodgates of heaven with blessings.
  • There are many churches that have early or late services and some that meet in the evenings. Find a time that is convenient to your lifestyle.
  • If you believe the Bible is the Word of God then by not obeying the Bible you are not obeying God. Thus you are being a hypocrite by not attending church.
  • Forgiveness for past hurts is a requirement in the Bible. If you can’t worship with the people that hurt you, go to another church. But forgive them either way.

    • I have often wondered why people go to church. What is it that they expect to happen while they are there? Do they go for the social hour? Do they go to see what God will do for them? Do they go because they think it will affect their eternal salvation, like punching a time clock? Or do they just go because they enjoy the music or the preacher’s message?

    One of the first things we should do after becoming a Christian is to get into a fellowship of believers who want to learn more about God and the Bible. Often this is emphasized for new believers but truthfully, this doesn’t change whether you are a new Christian or one that’s been around for many, many years.

    Hebrews 10:25 NIV states “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another…” This verse means we are to fellowship with other Christians, not be like the ones who have given up going to church for whatever excuse. God commands us to do this in order to encourage, build up and edify the Body of Christ. You might even call it a weekly “pep rally” such as the kind schools have just before a “big” sports game. And you could definitely say our big game is the game of life preparing us for that final “big” Day.

    I’m not saying that you couldn’t worship or pray or even study the Bible at home alone. I’m also not saying that you can’t learn or receive from watching the televangelist on TV.

    This Scripture is more intended to mean that we should come together as a group of believers, on a regular basis, for worship, prayer, teaching, and building relationships, being accountable to a Spiritual Leader, so we can remain strong in the Lord and in our faith. It goes further to say that we are expected to bring something with us to share with others so we can edify, encourage and lift them up for the same reasons.

    The church doesn’t have to meet on Sunday mornings. Nor does it have to be in a building with pews, a sanctuary, or a steeple. The church can meet in a home. It can meet in a park. I’ve learned that it can even meet in Panera Bread or Wendy’s. It’s not about attending the place where your parents raised you or where you have attended your whole life. The church is not about the
    building but about the people who attend, the assembling of ourselves together, for one common reason, to encourage one another. It’s not about what you get out of being there but what you can give.

    Hebrews 10:24 The Message: “Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out…spurring each other on.” Assembling together on a regular basis encourages us and makes us stronger Christians. Strong Christians are also typically faithful in their attendance.

    Unfortunately, Christians who are unable to attend due to circumstances beyone their control, struggle to stay strong, and some of them even fall away. It’s like burning ember in a fire. If you pull away one of the embers it will eventually grow cold and burn out. But if it stays within the body of burning embers it will keep hot and stay lit.

    Jesus “purchased the church with His own blood.” Acts 20:28 Since the church of God was important enough for Jesus to shed His blood for it, it should be important to do whatever it takes to be there.

    Find a church you feel at home. If you’re not at one right now, keep looking until you find the right one. Don’t give up as some are in the habit of doing.

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