With many young people getting dissatisfied with the church setting, this question has become a popular one. While some believe that attending church is not important because it doesn’t determine one’s relationship with God, some others believe that the sun of one’s spiritual growth rises and falls with church attendance. Another group who have been hurt by ‘church folks’ on the other hand, thinks the church might not be worth attending after all, while yet another group believe that church is a scam because of their experiences with hypocritical Christians.
Regardless of people’s experiences or points of view, it is important to approach this question from God’s point of view by first understanding what the origin of the church is.
WHAT IS CHURCH?
The first time the word ‘church’ is mentioned in the Bible, Jesus said it. (Matthew 16: 18). In response to Peter’s affirmation that He(Jesus) was the son of God, Jesus said that He will build His church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. This suggests that the church is important to Jesus. However, contrary to certain beliefs that the church is a physical building, it is not. The word ‘church’ was translated from the Latin word, ekklesia, and it means a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place to deliberate on state matters. This gives us a picture of what Jesus had in mind when he mentioned the word.
THE ESSENCE OF THE CHURCH
Long before Jesus mentioned the word, God had established a prototype of the church in Israel. Their public gatherings to listen to God’s word and pray were a foreshadow of what God had in mind. I will highlight some reasons why the church is important below.
- God made man social, and He established the desire to relate with others in Him. He knew the dangers of loneliness and isolation when He declared that it is not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). Although these words were uttered in the context of marriage, it also applies to the gathering of believers. Since no man knows it all and no man thrives in isolation, God decided to create a support and growth system for His children.
- God established the church as a gathering of His children, who will through their personal and collective walk with Him confound the darkness of this age. (Ephesians 3:21)
- The church is Christ’s body on earth, and no part of the body can function by itself. God’s design for the church is that every part reaches its full potential through its union with others. (Ephesians 4:16)
- The corporate gathering of believers is meant to be a place of unity, safety and help. (Psalm 133). When Peter’s life was threatened by Herod, unceasing prayers were made for him by the church. These prayers pulled down God’s help and led to the miraculous jailbreak that Peter experienced. (Acts 12: 1-11). A true and living church mirrors this sterling example of unity, safety and help.
- The church is a place to testify of God’s faithfulness and grace. It is also a place where believers are established in their faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 14:27, 16:5).
- It is a place to be fed God’s word. (Acts 20:28)
- It is God’s landing spot to demonstrate His love and glory to the world. He does this through His saints (Ephesians 3:21, 5:25)
- It is the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15). God established the church as the place to find the truth about everything and that is why He gave believers the Holy Spirit who guides them into all truth. (John 16:13). Regardless of the adulterations around and even within certain church circles, God’s original intention to make the church the custodian of truth still stands.
Haven established the essence of the church, it is important to note that belonging to a church is essential to the growth of every believer. Attending and serving in a church; a local assembly, are also essential. However, it is also necessary to draw a fine line of balance that church attendance does not substitute having a personal relationship with Jesus. One should not replace the other because both are important to a Christian’s journey in life. Therefore, the answer to the question above is a resounding YES. Not going to church might not stop you from enjoying certain privileges in Christ, however, for you to become perfect and entire wanting nothing, then, you need to be a living and active part of the church.