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I don't have a church. There are plenty of churches near me, but I'm not sure about which I want to join. Now, the Bible says that its not compulsory to join a church - you won't be denied entrance to the Kingdom just because you were not a churchgoer, but scripture does recommend it.
"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25 KJV)
There are a number of reasons why we are recommended to go to church. The most important is fellowship. Humans are social beings, we live in community and most of us cannot be happy in isolation. Church allows us to meet and communicate with other Christians. The Greek word ekklesia, used in the New Testament and translated as 'church' means an assembly. We simply assemble together as Christians, and we fellowship. We know from the Bible that this is what the early church did:
"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42 KJV)
We also know from scripture of the power that is in a Christian assembly. Jesus said: "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20) When we gather together we know that Jesus is with us, and helps us in the functions of a church. Acts 2 tells us what some of those functions are: doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers. We can share and learn in church. We are never so wise that we cannot learn more, and who better to learn from than our brothers and sisters in Christ, with Jesus among us and the Holy Spirit working? We all bring something to the church, we all have gifts and the church should acknowledge and celebrate all of those talents. We can all share our ideas on scripture, and through this communal sharing we can deepen our relationship with God and with our congregations.
Fellowship is immensely important to us. What has come to be called pastoral care is vital within the church. If anyone in the congregation is ill, or in pain, or going through difficult times, then the church is there to help them, to comfort them and to pray for and with them. The church is a community of love, where all members love one another as we are told to do. That love means that church is (or should be) a safe place where troubles and confessions can be taken and fears soothed.
"Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:13-16 KJV)
The breaking of bread is an important part of worship and fellowship. Whatever we may think of the transubstantiation/consubstantiation debate, we all know that this ritual is important, on many levels. Firstly, it provides food for the congregation - which is why Paul told the Corinthian church not to gorge themselves on the food before everyone was present (1 Corinthians 11:33). It also serves a teaching/remembrance purpose. "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come." (1 Corinthians 11:26) We eat and drink out of remembrance, to keep the Cross before us, and remind us what Jesus did. We celebrate His sacrifice for us when we share a meal. It provides physical food, and reminds us of the spiritual food we have also received by God's grace. It also draws us closer, reminds us that we are the Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ, His church, and He lives in us.
Prayer is another vital part of church. Even though we have an unfortunate tendency to forget to thank and praise God in our prayers, and simply ask for favours, we still pray. We know that prayer can heal (Matthew 17:21), that we can ask for and receive from God through prayer (Matthew 21:22), keep us from sin (Mark 14:38) and that we must "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer is effective, and brings us closer to God. We also become closer to our fellow-worshippers when we pray, because we all meet at the same Fountainhead to whom we pray.
I would love to have a church, but it is sometimes difficult to get up the courage to walk in the door. I am relatively secure in my faith, but even so I find churches intimidating. I worry that I might find a church full of cultists (these things are not unknown), that I will disagree with them, and simply I am shy of going into an established congregation as a newcomer. I went into a church recently who overwhelmed me with interest - judging from the age of the congregation, I was the first new face and potential new member they had seen for some time. They meant well, but they frightened me off a little. People like me could be easily encouraged back into church, if the church would occasionally go into the world. If I had met a church member though some other means - be that a jumble sale, or just meeting someone who told me of their faith, then I would not feel so shy about attending. I do not think people are reluctant about going to church per se, but that they do not know what to expect, and so get worried, and do not attend. If people could see a congregation, if the church would go out and seek those who would join, then we might not be seeing the decline in church attendance that we do. I don't mean street preaching - which is frankly a big turn-off for a lot of people, including me. I don't like especially pushy people, they frighten me. There is always a hint of violence (unconscious, I'm sure) about agressive evangelism, which to me is incompatible with the meek Saviour we have. Someone who makes their lives a testimony to their faith, who is loving and shows it, is more likely to persuade people to at least find out about Christ, and make their decision based on facts and not rumours or prejudices.
I hope one day I'll find a good, welcoming church, and I'd appreciate your prayers on this matter. You can expect to hear more of my views on what I think the "ideal church" would be on here too.
"One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple." (Psalms 27:4 KJV)
© Dubhóc MacEògainn, 2005.