Sunday School at 9 am | worship at 10 am

Why Everyone Needs To Be In Church

Everyone needs to be in church. There are benefits you reap from coming to church that you could never enjoy by staying at home, or by “worshipping God” on the golf course or on the lake. There’s something we receive by coming to church that you can’t get or give by watching a church service on TV or listening to a sermon on the radio. It’s something Paul talked about in Romans 1:12—mutual encouragement in the faith. We come to church not only to worship but also to be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

This is part of the social dynamic of Christianity, the expression of the faith that is so often discounted in favor of the more popular individual dynamic. Because we are Americans, we value rugged individualism. We tend to see ourselves more as a collection of individuals than we do as a community where people are dependent upon each other and accountable to one another.

The early church wasn’t just a collection of individuals, each one trusting God on his own. They weren't a debate society, taking each other to the mat on secondary issues. They were together radiating an attractive and contagious spirit of faith in God. They were strengthening each other and encouraging each other. It was dynamic. It was energizing. It was spreading. Even Paul was strengthened. Everyone benefits from this social dynamic. Even preachers.

Paul himself wants to be a part of it. He says here, "I long to see you" (Romans 1:11). There is something irreplaceable and powerful and even slightly mystical about a human face-to-face encounter. But face to face communication is deteriorating. Texting is the order of the day. Texting might well be the crudest form of communication ever invented in the history of the human race. It's okay for basic, essential information. But it lacks warmth and nuance and gentleness. It is bare and harsh.

But getting together changes us. It is both exciting and moderating. It softens our extremes. It humbles us. It makes everything good more powerful. It's why coming to church matters, why Sunday School matters, why small groups matter. Getting together offers an insight into how we grow and are strengthened. There’s a growing trend among multi-site churches these days. The lead pastor preaches live at the main campus, but his sermon is broadcast by closed circuit to satellite churches in other locations. I’m not convinced this is a good idea.

In his letter to the Romans Paul says some pretty theologically dynamic things. But he says some socially dynamic things too. One of the things he said that we could very easily miss is this: "I long to see you" (Romans 1:13). A letter is good, but vitality passes face-to-face. That happens in church. It's where strength and encouragement spread. We need this social dynamic of faith, and there’s only one place to get it—at church.