Why Go to Church? I have asked others this question. The following is my own answer.
- To have fellowship and connection with God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and fellow Christians in a way that can only occur by being there in person.
- To hear words inspired by God from those gathered together in the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus promised his followers that when we gather together, he is there with us. When we sincerely seek His will and wisdom, and are open to the Spirit, God and Christ, through the Holy Spirit, will communicate to us, often through each other.
- To be inspired and motivated. To have my spirit and attitude renewed; be refilled with the love, joy and peace of God.
- To receive God’s blessings and direction
- To be held accountable. To be made aware of my unseen failings and sins and confess them.
- To be of service to God and my fellow Christians in whatever I am led to whether by word or deed; by my talents, time, and treasure; by helping, teaching, serving, preaching, listening, singing, administering, leading, or even sometimes just showing up to be present.
- To share with others the love and Gospel of Christ.
- To be reminded and learn more of how to live within God’s will and righteousness, right living and right loving.
- To fellowship with others, share my faith and testimony and hear theirs, share my concerns and hear theirs, share in the joys, sufferings, struggles, and victories of my brothers and sisters of Christ.
- To hear of and learn where God is at work in our community and the world at large, that I may be led to see where I fit in and can join God in His work; filling the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of others and spreading the Good News of God in Christ Jesus.
- To join in prayer with and for others, within the community of faith and without. Prayers for God’s grace, love, joy, and peace to abound within ourselves, our local community of the body of Christ, as well as the greater Christian church throughout the world. Prayers for healing of body, mind, and spirit; for the Gospel to be shared and heard and received and accepted that hearts will be healed and changed, bringing hope, redemption, peace, and salvation to a lost and broken world. Prayers for the ministries of God’s people, that God will prosper the work of His people for His glory and the growing of the kingdom of heaven on earth.
- I go to church with the expectation of a miracle; an epiphany, an answer to prayer, a kernel of sought after wisdom, a healing, redemption, renewal, insight, guidance, an undeniable experience of the Holy Spirit of God.