Top Reasons why I don’t need Church to be a Christian

There are many reasons why someone might say that they don’t need the church to be a Christian. 

1. The top most relevant reason has come to us thanks to the health crisis of this last year. Restrictions have created division and conflict, and I just want to avoid the whole situation. 

2. Thanks again to this past year, online services have boomed. I can sit on my couch, watch my pastor preach, listen to the music, and that’s all I need. And if I don’t like the pastor, I can listen to someone I do like. The bonus is I can come as I am (in all the ways).

3. Sunday morning is my family time or time to do what I want; it’s the only day I have off work. I can listen to sermons online any day of the week. 

4. I have been hurt by people at church, and I do better going it on my own. I can read my Bible and pray at home. People in church can be too nosy. Not everyone needs to know everything I do. 

5. I can worship God in nature. I don’t have to go to a building to do that. 

6. I have found other ways to get my spiritual nourishment. My church family won’t miss me. 

7. It’s an outdated ritual… going to church is for older people. 

These may seem like valid points. So what are the benefits of church? Why should I be persuaded to return?

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.

Hebrews 10: 24,25

1. Church is not about me. It’s not about what I can get out of it. Church is about worshipping God and serving others. 

2. I need church so that I can encourage others and that others can encourage me. I also need my Christian community to hold me accountable. “Spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”

3. God commands it. “Don’t give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing.” It seems like this isn’t a new phenomenon. If we imagine the church to be a campfire and its members the logs, the embers start to die if we separate the burning logs on their own. My fire and desire for the things of God will, in the same way, slowly lose its flame. 

4. The church is God’s house. Why would I, if I call myself a follower of Christ, not want to join where Christ is? Corporate worship gives strength and solidifies faith. “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew‬ ‭18:20‬ ‭ESV‬‬

5. The church is made up of imperfect people, sinners saved by faith in Jesus. And imperfect people sometimes fail to represent Christ well. Is someone else’s bad action reason enough for me to walk away from the church?

6. It’s about cultivating my relationship with God and the people of God. The Pastor had a great illustration in today’s sermon. He compared it to a marriage. He said you can be married to your spouse but not go home to her at night. You’re still married, but it’s not going to make for a good relationship. 

7. Some habits are good. Why do we think that if something is a habit, it’s not heartfelt and beneficial? Have I made a habit of working out? Drinking my water? Coming to work on time? Those are all good habits that I have formed that benefit me in daily life. So too is the “habit” of going to church. It develops structure and rhythm for my children and me, which determines the importance of setting aside a day for Sabbath rest. 

The “habit” of going to church develops structure and rhythm for my children and me, which determines the importance of setting aside a day for Sabbath rest.

You may think that those sitting in the pews will not feel your presence or absence. That is not true. 

Your presence at church is an encouragement to your church family. We don’t always see eye to eye in families, we fight and bicker, but then we make up and move on. That’s what family does. Your church family needs you, and you need them. 

As we begin to see churches coming back together after too long of an absence, will you determine in your mind that you, too, need to commit to being a faithful churchgoer? The health of your and your children’s relationships with Jesus depends on it.

I was glad when they said to me,

“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”

Psalm 122:1