The Church

There are three common question people ask about the church: Is it really necessary to attend church?  What is a church?  Which church should I attend?  The church is so important that Christ died for it (Eph. 5:25).  And Christians are instructed by Scripture not to neglect church meetings (He. 10:25).

Is it really necessary to attend church?  To understand why church attendance is so important, it is necessary to know the meaning of church.  We often thing of a church as a building, but the New Testament Greek word ekklesia, which is translated “church,” mean an assembly of people.  Literally, ekklesia means “the called out ones.”  So when the writer of Hebrews 10:25 urges Christians not to neglect their church meetings, he is not stressing the importance of a building, but the frequent gathering of Christians for worship, fellowship and study of God’s Word.  Going to church will not save you, but if you a Christian, you need to attend church for your own spiritual growth and the encouragement of others.  What church should I attend?  That question cannot be answered by a denominational name, style of worship, of list of weekly activities.  You need to find a church where:

1. Worship permeated every activity. May the (God) be given glory forever and ever through endless ages because of his master plan of salvation for the Church through Jesus Christ (Esp. 3:21)?  Jesus said that “where two or three gather together because they are mine, I will be right there among them”.   So it5 must be that when Christians gather at Church, they experience a little bit of heaven, because Jesus is there.  In heaven the angels sings: “The Lamb is worthy…the Lamb who was slain”.  He is worthy to receive the power, and the riches, and the wisdom, and the strength, and the honor, and the glory, and the blessing (Rev. 5:12).   Attend a church where the people enjoy worshipping the Lord.  And that can be done in a variety of styles.  
2. 2.       The Word of God is taught accurately and clearly. “Faith comes from listening to this Good News the Good News about Christ”, (Rom. 10:17).   If you attend a church where the Bible is faithfully taught, you will find it easier to follow Paul’s instruction:  Know what His Word says and means, (2 Tim. 2:15).  And you will “grow in spiritual strength and become better acquainted with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ….” (2 Pet. 3:18).  Attend a church where you will hear God’s voice above all the other voices.
3. 3.       Fellowship is sweet among the Christians.   Fellowship is more that having dinner together.  It is a close bond between Christians that results in helpfulness, kindness, doing good, and encouragement (Heb. 10: 24-25).  Attend a Christ-centered church that clearly teaches the Bible where you can enjoy rich fellowship, not merely superficial relationships.  Service is performed in love and in the name of Christ.  Christian service may take many forms (singing, teaching, witnessing, helping the poor, etc.), but it is only pleasing to the Lord when it is the direct result of worship.  In fact, worship and service are inseparable: every task should be done worship unto the Lord.  “Remember what Christ taught and let His words enrich your lives and make you wise; teach them to each other and sing them out in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing to the Lord with thankful hearts.  And whatever you do or say,  let it be a representative of the Lord Jesus, and come with Him into the presence of God the Father to give Him your thanks” (Col. 3:16-17).  Attend a church where service unto the Lord is more than a Sunday affair.
4. 4.       Is Church membership important?  Acts 2:40-47 describes the growth and activities of the early church.  Verse 47 says that “each day God added to them all who were being saved”.  That clearly shows that all who are saved are port of the church.  So joining the local church is not a requirement for salvation, but a way you can publicly announce that you are a member of God’s family.  However, from a very practical standpoint, the establishment of a membership role enables church leaders to know who they can count on.  Consider church membership a commitment to Christ and other Christians, and be sure the church leader really can count on you.

Pastor Calvin Wortham