4 Reasons to Go to Church (More Than Just at Easter and Christmas) And a New Perspective on the Crowd at Church This Easter
As we approach Easter Sunday, some Christians might be inclined to utter: “Ugh, church is going to be extra crowded this Sunday because it’s a church-going holiday for those that only attend on Easter and Christmas.”
Yes, without judgment I’ll acknowledge that this is true - on “religious” holidays, you will find more people in the pews. Along with Christmas, I’d guess that church attendance is much higher on Easter than any other time of year. The assumption of these biannual visitors is, “We better put our church bonnets on a few times a year just in case God is watching!”
I’m exaggerating and mocking a bit, but the truth is, I understand that anyone who doesn’t fully live under God’s redeeming grace is still living under the law and therefore, their attitude toward seasonal church attendance makes sense. They don’t understand that salvation is by God’s grace alone, through our faith alone in Jesus Christ alone (there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation) (Ephesians 2:8-9), and they hope that they can earn some merit with or blessing from God by going to church one or two times a year.
Does it matter? What’s the difference between someone who attends church a few times a year and someone who attends church every Sunday? First, neither person is more pleasing in the sight of God. God isn’t interested in our religious behaviors or our efforts to earn His favor. In fact, we can never do a bunch of religious stuff to put God into a position that He owes us something. God wants a personal relationship with us, and that relationship is not dependent on checking the box of church attendance each week.
However, someone who is walking in a deep personal relationship with the Lord will long to worship and praise Him in corporate worship with other believers. God wants our heart, and our devotion to Him. The very first Christians met on Sundays (Acts 20:7) (to commemorate the day of the Lord’s resurrection) to study God’s Word, worship Him, pray, celebrate the Lord’s Supper, and give God thanks and praise. God wants us to be part of a vibrant church community with other believers. In the book of Hebrews, Christians are encouraged to meet and support one another in their faith:
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 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. ” (Hebrews 10:23-25, NIV).
In the book of Acts, we learn that the earliest Christians were drawn to be a part of a community of fellow believers. Meeting together was the natural way they knew to grow in their faith.
“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42, NASB).
“Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46-27, NASB).
I would urge every Christian (and Christ seeker) to be a part of a community of believers for a few reasons:
1. Relationships: One of the greatest benefits of regular church attendance is fellowship with other believers. The Bible makes it clear that it’s important for Christians to spend time with one another. Being plugged in to a local assembly of Christians who worship together also gives you the chance to engage in Bible studies, small groups and other activities that can help you grow and mature in your faith.
2. Discipleship: If we want to become fully committed followers of Christ, we need to grow in our faith and spiritual maturity, so that we can lead others to Christ. When we avoid intentional fellowship with other believers, we risk missing opportunities to continue to be nourished and grow in our faith so that we can be an instrument that God can use to minister to the body of Christ. Jesus’ last words to all Christians was to go and make disciples of others (Mathew 28:19-10). That is not the Pastor’s job, it is our job as believers. The Pastor’s job is to equip us to do the work (Ephesians 4:11-12).
3. Perspective: Life can be chaotic and stressful sometimes, as we all know. Attending a worship service with other believers can be a time to refocus on what matters most to the Kingdom of God and gain perspective about issues facing the Christian church more broadly. Also, through the sharing of life’s trials and offering of prayer requests, there’s a sense of commonality that is experienced from learning about what fellow Christians are going through in life. We can each be an encouragement to one another.
4. Presence: Unfortunately, many consider the building we gather in on Sunday to be the House of the Lord. That is not biblical. The Chruch is not a building. The New Testament makes it clear that we as Christians are the Church, and we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us. We are the Church, the bride of Christ. We simply go to a building to gather together to worship the Lord together. God doesn’t live in buildings or houses of worship. He lives in and through us as Christians! “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). A group of believers gathering together, worshipping God and praying together experience His presence in a very powerful way.
While a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is not dependent upon the four walls of a “church building,” we should consider whether we can maintain our spiritual growth in isolation. Relationships are very important to our Triune God (Father, Son, & Holy Spirit). We are made in His image to have meaningful personal relationships with Him and with fellow believers. Gathering together with other believers on Sundays helps facilitate growth in those relationships, and helps us mature in our faith.
I’m thrilled when I see more people in the pews at Easter and Christmas. Sure, it makes finding a parking place and a seat more of a challenge. But let’s look at it differently this Easter. It’s an opportunity for each of us who are regular attendees, to let the new visitors feel warm and welcome, and see the love of Christ pouring out of us. This Easter Sunday, let’s each make a point to speak to someone we haven’t seen in attendance previously, and invite them to sit with us and return to join us the following Sunday! Jesus said that they will know we are Christians by our love!
“By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35, NIV).
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