This pandemic changes habits. Like watching church instead of going to church. And I’ve gotten used to that.  I’ve been tempted to continue that—staying in my PJ’s, snuggled up on the sofa. But then I heard someone say something I myself have said in the past: “I don’t need church. I can find God wherever I am.”

So it seems now like a good time to address that question. Can one be a lone ranger when it comes to a relationship with the Lord? Why is it so important to go to church? God is everywhere, right? After all, we are his temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16 says: Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst.

Yes, that’s true, but God never meant you to live your faith alone. I have to say living without church in your life is a little like baking bread and being satisfied with just the heavenly smell.

The Wall Street Journal recently reported (August 18, 2021) on Spirituality in the Lens of Science: “And a body of scientific research suggests that spiritual thinking provides some concrete benefits to our mental well-being and outlook.” Well, can I say “duh”? The writers of the Bible said that several thousand years ago. It’s all in there.

And the Bible also tells us to go to church.

But for some, organized religion is the very barrier they need to overcome to find their way to Jesus. Jesus himself would agree with you, but that’s a topic for another day. Let me just say that religion has rules while Jesus deals in grace. Rules don’t like grace.

Even Christians question church attendance. I read a Christian blog that said there is nowhere in Scripture where Jesus commands us to go to a building called “Church.” I mean no disrespect, but that’s not true. Romans 12:5 says this: So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.  

Hebrews 10:25 says this: …not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. We are part of something much greater than ourselves. To shun the church is to walk away from the very body of Christ that we are a part of.

Here are some other ways in which God says: Go to Church! 

Loving One Another

Hebrews 10:24 is pretty clear about that: And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 

The second of God’s greatest commandments is to love one another. Being with others allows us to build unity in our worship, our faith, and in the good works we do. Church is where we can encourage each other. If you’re all alone on a mountaintop, in the meadow, or at home streaming, how do you do that?

Going to church doesn’t mean just showing up on Sundays, listening to the sermon and going home. That’s why church is more than watching it on TV. It means participating with others; getting to know them. Stirring up one another to love is a face-to-face thing. Do you need help? Do those you know need help? Church is where you get connected. 

Growing Spiritually

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone—Colossians 4:6.

Church is where we learn more of God’s word. We learn from Exodus 4:10-11 that if God calls us, he will equip us. Through the Holy Spirit we receive the message as God intends us to receive it, and God equips us to do His work.

In church recently,  I was part of a group discussion talking about what we can say to those who are really having a hard time in life. Someone said what helped them through the death of a child was praying John 16:33 over and over:  I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. I could have read that on my own, but not in that context.  Learning how others apply God’s word has infinite value.

 Using your Gifts

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace—1 Peter 4:10. 

Every single person who is a Christian has been given at least one gift. But it’s not for your benefit; it’s for the benefit of others. At church, you become connected and are given opportunities to use your gifts. 

Being Aware and Accountable

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin—Hebrews 3:12-13.

This one is simple. Church is one of the best places to hold yourself accountable. It is one of God’s primary means of keeping you from being hardened by sin. Stay accountable to God by guiding one another to stay on the right track. The enemy is always looking for ways to take us down. Through community, we strengthen each other.

C. S. Lewis, in the Screwtape Letters, said it well: Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one–the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.

Reaching out

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now—Philippians 1:4-5.

Do you believe others need the gospel? Well, you can’t reach the world on your own. We do it by partnering with others. You never know the impact that your one action can have on another. Multiply it with others. John 13:35 says this: By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. Amen!

Helping Others

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ—Galatians 6:2. Can you help others without going to church? Of course you can, but through your church body you can stir up one another. At church you will see the fruit of your good works grow and multiply.

Needing support

Exodus 17 tells us how the Amalekites attacked the people of Israel. While Joshua led the troops into battle, Moses, along with Aaron and Hur, watched the battle from a nearby hill. Exodus 17:11 reads, So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. Eventually, Moses became weary, and so Aaron and Hur responded by holding up his arms until the Israelites were able to finally defeat the Amalekites. Now church isn’t the battlefield, but you’ll find your Aaron and your Hur at church. You can count on it.

Celebrating the Lord’s Supper

Jesus says to take the bread and wine, “all of you.” Paraphrasing Matthew 26: I sacrificed my life so you could have yours, eternally. To gather together to take communion reminds us of Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf.

Sometimes church is there for you. Sometimes you are the one that helps others. Overriding everything, church is there to deepen our relationship with God. Can you see how this is God’s plan? Living, helping, serving others. I can’t do that by myself. I go to church, and I love it.