Is Church attendance important?

This is an important question which must be answered biblically. There are certain Christians who do not place much value in church attendance or in going to church. Others also sees church attendance as an integral part of the life of a Christian. But what does God's word says concerning this important subject matter? Is church attendance very important or as Christians we can do without it? The word of God is our final authority, and we are to subject ourselves to whatever it teaches, concerning this all important question.

Do not be like the others

The bible says: Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near (Hebrews 10; 25). Even in the early church,  certain Christians were in the habit of willfully forsaking the assembling of the brethren, which ought not to be so. Let us look at some of the reasons why some professing Christians do not go to church or consider church attendance as unimportant 

They will tell you that worshipping God is in the heart, therefore, there is no need to be present with other believers before they can worship God. Though you can worship God by yourself, yet God in his wisdom has established cooperate worship, where believers come together to worship in spirit and in truth (John 4; 24). There are much benefits when believers come together to worship the Lord. As believers, we are members of One body, so why shun from the assembling of the brethren?

Another reason is that some of them have been hurt by other Christians. No matter the reason and how painful the wound might be, yet that is not a good reason to forsake the assembling of the brethren. The Church is made up of imperfect beings and one way or the other, someone may offend you. The best thing you can do is to freely forgive the offender, just as it is written: Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you (Ephesians 4; 32). Probably you are reading this article, and the reason why you have stop going to church is because of offense, I beseech you by the mercies of God to go back.

Another reason is because of the presence of online service. Participating in an online service is good, but if you have the opportunity to be physically present with your brothers and sisters in Christ, why partake in an online service?

Another reason is time factor. They will tell you that church services often takes too long. It is amazes me that these very people can spend hours in secular events, but spending some few hours in church becomes a burden to them. This is a poor attitude and whoever shuns the assembling of ourselves together because of this, must desist from it.

The last reason is that, they are truly ignorant of the reason why they have to take church attendance seriously. Some people will tell you that even if they do not go to church, yet their salvation is secure, therefore they do not see the reason why they should fellowship with other brethren. Ignorance is a contributing factor of why certain Christians do not place much value in church attendance.

Let us look at some of the reasons why church attendance is very important 

The assembling of the church is a place where you will be taught the word of God. The bible is God's word and it is the only book which is divinely inspired by God. All other books of men are subject to error, save the holy scriptures. God has revealed himself to us and what he desires from us in his word. In his wisdom, he has set apart and anointed certain people to take up the role of teaching and expounding the meaning of the scriptures for our spiritual edification. Church attendance is important because, it is a place where you will be nurtured with God's word, so you can grow spiritually. The early church devoted themselves to the apostles doctrine or to the teachings of the apostles, see (Acts 2; 42).

Another reason why church attendance is important is because it is God's will for us. The author of Hebrews stated it clear: Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near (Hebrews 10; 25). The author by the Spirit of God communicated God's mind to us, that we should not make it a habit of staying away from church attendance. Church attendance is an instruction from God to us, therefore let us make it a point to adhere to it.

Another reason is that, it is a place where you can build quality relationship with other believers. In church, we get to enjoy each other's company. The church is a place where we can love one another (Ephesians 5; 2). We are the recipients of the love of Christ and we are able to demonstrate this same love towards other brethren. There are certain members when they are discouraged by the vicissitudes of life, fellow brethren can encourage and comfort them with God's word, so they can be edified and be rejuvenated once more (Philippians 2; 1). And also it is a place where fellow brethren can share your burdens with you. If it is in the area of finance, they can support you or in prayers, they can stand with you in prayer, they are always at your service. The church is a safe place to build relationships and connections with other brethren which will be a great blessing to you, both now and in the long term.

Another reason why church attendance is important is because, it is a place where you can exercise your spiritual gifts. There are varieties of gifts of the Holy Spirit, see (Romans 12; 5-8, 1 Peter 4; 10, 1 Corinthians 12; 8-11, Ephesians 4; 11). Every Christian, possess a spiritual gift(s) which must be employed in the service of the Lord. The church provides an outlet for you to put your gift(s) into use. You are an important member of the church, therefore use your spiritual endowment to serve in the local church. But if you have not yet identified your spiritual gift, it doesn't mean you don't have, you have a gift(s), just tell the Lord to help you to discover it.

The last reason is that, we attend church to worship our God. The church provides a well conducive atmosphere for worship. We get to worship God as a cooperate body, we sing, we pray, we break bread and we study God's word together, so we can grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3; 18). It is always a blessing to be in church with fellow brethren who love the Lord out of a pure heart.

Beloved, make church attendance a priority, remember a baby lion or a cub is safe only when he is in the pride, but the moment the cub moves away from the pride, he becomes vulnerable to the attack of the enemy. The church is a safe haven for you, therefore, make it a point not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. God bless you 

A thought to ponder 🤔 

 As believers, we are members of One body, so why shun from the assembling of the brethren?

We defend and exposit the truth of the gospel