Choose to Make Church (Meeting Together) a Priority

Choices change our lives…

By Barbara Dahlgren

We do not lack for innovative churches today. In addition to the average denominational listings and their spin-offs, there are cowboy churches, coffee-drinking churches, and drive-in churches – just to name a few. There are small churches, house churches, neighborhood Bible studies, and megachurches. It’s hard to believe one can’t find a place to attend or meet with other believers.

However, some are disillusioned with organized religion altogether. And rightly so! Pharisaical approaches to salvation have muddled the message of preaching Christ. People are no longer enamored with pomp and circumstance. They yearn for the substance of Christ-like teaching.

Others feel they need a time of healing. Maybe they are sick and tired of people or need to do some private Bible study to decide where God is leading them.

The majority just make up limitless excuses like “I don’t like the music,” “the speakers are boring,” “the parking is too difficult to find,” “my spouse doesn’t want to go,” or “the pews are too hard.”

The most popular reason for not attending church is our busy lifestyle. Life is definitely busy! However, it’s not too busy for watching football, shopping at the mall, playing video games, going to the movies, or surfing the internet. Church or meeting together with other believers is just not a priority.

Should attending church or meeting together with other believers be a priority for Christians? After all, don’t we have lots of T.V., radio, or internet options where we can be spiritually fed? It’s true that these ministries offer a service, especially for those who are housebound or perhaps taking a respite to reevaluate where God is leading them. However, if one uses these programs as an alternative to actually spending time with other Christians, they may be isolating themselves and forfeiting what God intended.

Here are some reasons some reasons why meeting together should be a priority:

  • Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 states that “two are better than one.” Life is designed for companionship not isolation. A cord of three ropes together is harder to break than one alone.
  • God has called us to be part of a community of believers so we can learn to work together and get along. We are many members but a part of one body. (Romans 12:4, 5)
  • Sharing thoughts and ideas about scriptures with fellow Christians gives us a different perspective – an iron sharpening iron process which can provide checks and balances on how we conduct our daily lives. (Proverbs 27:17)
  • Private worship is essential for a Christian, but much is gained by community worship as well. There is something quite special about singing and praising God with others who love God as you do. Psalm 95 says, “Come let us worship…” The pronoun is plural.
  • Church is like a large support group. We can be uplifted but we support others as well. Listening skills can be honed and empathy developed. Praying with others, pointing them to God, and letting them know they are not alone – these are all part of the Christian journey.
  • Striving to live a Christian life sends a clear message to those around us. Attending church reinforces that message. It says, “I think meeting with other Christians is important. I try to practice what I preach.” (Philippians 5:9)

Consider this… Going to church each week reminds us of who we are – people struggling to follow Christ.

One final thought… I think there is much truth in this Billy Graham quote: “Churchgoers are like coals in a fire. When they cling together, they keep the flame aglow; when they separate, they die out.”

 

 

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