According to a 2016 research study by the Barna group – Almost three-quarters of Americans (73%) say they are a Christian.
However the same study found when a self-identified Christian attends a religious service at least once a month and says their faith is very important in their life, Barna considers that person a “practicing Christian.” The numbers then drop to around one in three U.S. adults (31%) who fall under this classification of practicing Christian.
And that’s only attending at least once a month.
“Why do I need to go to church?” That’s a question that most parents have heard from their children at some point or another.
It’s a question that isn’t just heard from children, either. But the intent of the question changes as the person gets older.
It transitions from focusing on boredom in church, to questioning the existence of God, to wondering why we need to go to church to be closer to God, to what our role should be in the church. The progression of the questions speak to the spiritual maturity of the person.
If we’re honest, all of us have asked these questions at some time or another. Some have easily come up with the answer and others have grappled with the idea of church for many years.
If you have struggled with these questions, what stops you from wanting to engage in church? What is your view of church?
Often the reply has to do with past negative experiences. Either personally or through a family or a friend’s experience. And then we allow that experience to guide our decisions. Lazy Sunday mornings, kid’s activities, hobbies, etc. become a priority.
But we are called to gather together, to praise and worship God as a collective. This is to be glorifying to God as well as provide spiritual support for each of us. We all have our own set of gifts and talents that can contribute to Christ’s church. So while we go to church, we also are the church.
And with that in mind, we add to the church what we bring into it.
Take the time to read the below bible scriptures and truly focus on what they are saying to you. Some passages may touch you differently than others. Writing down the verses in your own hand is helpful for some individuals. Possibly looking up the verses in your own bible may be beneficial. I use a NIV bible translation. Or reading them over and over to commit to memory. Whatever method works best for you to experience God’s words and feel closer to Him.
Ephesians 2:19-22
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Romans 12:4-8
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Ephesians 4:3-6
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:11-13
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
1 Corinthians 12:25-26
so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Ephesians 1:22-23
And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Hebrews 10:24-25
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.
Acts 20:28
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
Hebrews 13:17
Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
I pray that this post brings to new light the important of church and moves you to continue going, go back, or search for a church home.
God bless!
Melissa
This breaks my heart. At some point along the way, being a Christian and being a follower of Christ became two separate things. We decided that “Christian” was a label we wear not something that defined who we were at our core. It no longer holds the same meaning as mother or wife, but instead is more like a magazine we can subscribe to but never read.
My church family is one of the biggest blessings God has given me, and I honestly can’t imagine my life right now without them.
It is sad. To know that only 31% of our country attends church at least once a month. It then becomes more clear why our society is struggling the way that it is in so many areas. We’ve lost our core. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your insights. God bless!
I love my church. But I understand that sometimes people shy away from attending a church or committing because they have been extremely hurt in the past. Whenever I encounter this, its hard to always know how to navigate and begin a conversation that won’t be shut down. Christians are not perfect people and somehow the enemy points to us (and our mistakes) as the reason people shouldn’t go to church. When it all should be about pointing to God Himself. That is what broke through to me and started me searching for a church home. 🙂
Such a great reminder Donna! Everything should be pointing to God Himself! Yes! Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts and experiences. God bless!
“We add to the church what we bring into it.” We are the church, and we must use our spiritual gifts interacting with other believers in order to grow. It’s not just the teaching that is important.
So true. We each have different gift to expand God’s kingdom! Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. God bless!
We have to first recognize that the “church” is not the four walls in which we gather together. As the body, we are the Church. It is very important however to join together with like-minded people for corporate worship, unity, the word and assembling together to use the gifts that God has given us. I believe the devil deceives so many into thinking that they do not need to gather with others at a church. Which is dead wrong in my eyes. Some find so much wrong with the church because they want things the way they think they should be…
I agree Keisha! “I believe the devil deceives so many into thinking that they do not need to gather with others at a church.” I think this get played out through the devil’s use of our own selfishness! Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. God bless!
I think it’s so important to find a church that you feel comfortable with. A place where you feel challenged in your faith and find fellowship with other Christians.
That balance is so important, right?! I want a church where I feel comfortable with the people but I want the sermon to make me uncomfortable at times. I want it to unsettle me and show me how to live for God and not for myself. To challenge me to go further in my understanding of God! I have high expectations! 😉 Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. God bless!
Of those practicing Christians, I wonder how many are deeply committed to Jesus. I can’t help but remember when Jesus asked if when He returns, would He find faith on the earth. The hardest part about moving so much is how hard it can be to get involved in a church.
Sadly, I’m sure it is much less than 31% who view themselves as deeply committed to Jesus. Moving and church shopping is not a very enjoyable task. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. God bless!
Praying for our local church family must be a part and parcel of our lives. We learn to love sacrificially when we see our own set of people hurt and offend us. This comes the most from being involved in church. Truth was pointed out well. Bless you!
Yes, praying for our church family is important as they should be an integral part of our lives! Thank you for stopping by and commenting. God bless!