James Sasser

Our weekends are normally busy doing a lot of good things…attending kid’s soccer games, going on family getaways, and fixing stuff around the house…all good things. But, if they regularly take us away from church attendance, we would do well to re-examine our priorities. Here are 10 reasons (there are more) to go to church services, even when a lot of other good things are going on.

1. To Hear the Preaching of the Word

Hearing the preaching of Scripture is helpful to our spiritual well-being. It is through preaching of sound doctrine that the Word of God penetrates hearts and transforms lives, calls sinners to repentance, and encourages the downhearted.

2. To Participate in Corporate Worship

Worshiping God alone is wonderful, but it cannot replace the beauty of coming together corporately to worship Him with others. Jesus says He worships God in the congregation (Hebrews 2:12) and so ought we.

3. To be Sharpened in Our Spirit

That is what Proverbs 27:17 tells us. Meeting regularly with other believers is a source of mutual encouragement and strength. Two are better than one in many ways, but one is the sharpening of each other’s spiritual character.

4. To Exercise Our Gift

Whether it be preaching or encouraging, hospitality or administration, God equips His children with gifts to serve Christ - Romans 12:6. Every member can contribute to the betterment of all. The body is not one member but many and it is built up when everyone shares in its operation.

5. To Encourage the Elders, Deacons, Evangelists And Teachers

The Apostle Paul says in I Thess. 5:12-13…We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Leaders need encouraging, too.

6. To Find Godly Mentors

In the church we can discover people who have walked the road ahead of us. Their wisdom, insights, and example are ways God provides help for others to grow. Philippians 3:17…Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

7. To Teach Our Kids to Love the Church

Familiarity and routine of attending church meetings when young has a way of sticking with them when older and being something they miss should they stray. Give them that familiarity.

8. To be a Light to Our Community

Jesus said the world will know we are His disciples by our love for one another (John 13:35). When we commit to loving God and loving others, the light shining is what the Spirit uses to draw others to know Jesus.

9. To Bear Each Other's Burdens

Galatians 6:2 teaches us to bear each other’s burdens in fulfillment of the law of Christ. Life can be hard. Just when things are going great, a phone call, a diagnosis, or a host of other mishaps can leave us feeling afraid and alone. But to those who are a part of a church family, they never are alone. When life is going great, they have the affirmation of others. But, when life throws us a curve, we’re blessed by loving concern, support, and prayers.

10. Because God Says To

Hebrews 10:25 says, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” The writer of Hebrews could not make it any clearer; God desires us to regularly assemble together with other Christians. God wanting us to regularly attend church is for our good…even when it is an inconvenient thing to do.