Why do Christians go to church? What is church? What church should I attend?
Many may agree that it is a “good thing” to go to church. Others might contend that church is not beneficial which likely comes from either a bad experience or misinformation. But what matters is what God tells us about attending church, so we owe it to ourselves to search it out in Scripture. One might even back up & ask “what is church?” To which we should ask which one? I’m not referring to denominations, which are not Scriptural. Church, as far as the Bible refers, is not even a physical building, but rather is a group of Christians.
Of course, it’s fine to refer to the buildings where congregations meet as churches, but just understand the Bible refers to people. However, it is important that we don’t focus too heavily on the building itself (Acts 17.24) as we are to worship God daily (Rom 12.1, Heb 13.15), not just in a church building. It’s merely a structure for the real church to meet in. In fact, in some cases, church has been held in homes (Acts 2.46, Phm 1.2) & in others there was apparently a specific place (1 Cor 11.17-22). What’s important is that there is Biblical organizational structure & function as we’ll discuss later.
Firstly, there is what’s referred to as the universal church which is the collection of believers from throughout all time (Mt 16.18, Eph 1.22-23, 3.14-15, 21, Heb 12.23). Though, in Christian circles, the universal church is commonly discussed as those Christians who are alive on earth at that time. It is important to note that it is not possible for the universal church to meet together on earth due to physical distance, time & language barriers. Also, there are no human leaders of the universal church because Christ is the head (Col 1.18, 2.18-19), so no other leadership is needed apart from Him, nor does the Bible designate any.
The other & most common meaning for church in Scripture is the local church (1 Cor 1.2, 1 Thes 1.1, Rev 1.11). The local church is distinct from the universal church in that God does prescribe human leadership for it (1 Tim 3.1-13, Acts 6.2-4). In short, the local leadership consists of A) elders (overseers) who’s roles are to shepherd (teach, pray for & exhort) & manage (lead & oversee) the church body; & B) deacons whose roles are to serve the body in various ways while assisting the elders. Also, this assembly of believers can & is intended to meet together regularly for various reasons.
The Bible compares each local church to a body with many distinct parts that work & function together as seen in 1 Cor 12.12-27. If you have never experienced this, it is a most beautiful & awesome thing. Each member is important, has a function & should look out for & love the other members (Jn 13.35). In order for that to happen, it is obvious that the members must meet together. Specific functions of each member are vast & varied depending on the spiritual gifts, demographics & size of the local body. However, the collective functions of a local church body include A) the exaltation of Christ & His Scriptures (1 Tim 4.13-16, 2 Tim 3.14-17, 4.2, Tit 1.9), B) evangelization of the lost (Mt 28.19-20, Lk 24.47-49, Acts 1.8, 13.2-3, 38, 39, Rom 10.12-15) & C) edification of God’s people (Mt 28.19, Eph 4.11-16). It is also important to point out that individuals have different styles & preferences which are fine, but should not prohibit the above functions or become divisive as sadly they are known to do in some cases (1 Cor 3.1-3, Jas 4.1).
As we can see from the above verse references, the church’s job is to make disciples per Jesus’ instruction. Just to clarify, a disciple of Jesus is someone who continually seeks to learn from Him (Jn 8.31-32), grow spiritually (Jn 15.8), share (Mk 16.20) & obey (Jn 14.23-24), often making personal sacrifices to do so (Lk 14.26, 33). Therefore, unbelievers are to be evangelized with the hope that they will become disciples of Christ (believers) & churchgoers are to be continually discipled through Biblical teaching & Christian fellowship within the church. After all, if the elders & others with the gift of teaching are to teach, then there should be teaching in the church. If there is teaching, there should be people being taught. And if people are being taught, they should be putting what they learn into practice. And specifically, the teaching should be from the Bible, God’s only written Word to us (Col 3.16, 2 Thes 2.15, 2 Tim 3.16).
A word of caution is needed to mention that there are many who do not teach the Bible or will twist it to fit their agenda (Tit 1.11) or other non-Biblical beliefs (Mt 16.12, 23.13). God knew this would be a problem which is why nearly every book of the New Testament & much of the Old Testament warns against false teachers & prophets. We can distinguish false teachers by their lifestyle (Mt 7.15-16), by studying the Scriptures to see if what is taught is true (Acts 17.11) & by seeking God’s guidance (Jn 16.13). Also, it is important that we not avoid the parts of the Bible that we do not like (Acts 20.27, 2 Tim 4.2-4). There will be parts of it that make us uncomfortable (Jn 6.60, 66-69), but those are the parts we grow from (1 Thes 1.5).
On a side note, some might say they don’t believe in “organized” religion. To which I would ask, “Do they like disorganized religion?” : ) Unfortunately, you probably can find some disorganized churches. Worse would be those that are organized, but completely miss God’s plan for a properly functioning local church. However, God is a God of order (1 Cor 14.33, 2 Cor 12.20) & lays out the general purpose & direction for all local bodies of believers.
When one becomes a follower of Christ, they are automatically a part of the universal church. They can even still be a Christian if they are not part of or attend a local church, but there should be the desire & conviction to be obedient in that manner (1 Tim 3.15, Heb 10.23-25). No church is perfect as they are made up of imperfect people, but there are some that do seek to follow God’s layout for a local group of believers. If you find one that works at trying to function as the Bible describes, you will be blessed if you join it, but even more so if you perform your function in it. Many people get derailed when they attend church with a self-serving attitude (i.e. “What’s in it for me?” or “I’m not getting anything out of it.”). If you focus inwardly, you will inevitably find yourself discontented. Make an effort to focus upward (Rom 8.5, Col 3.2) & outward (Rom 12.10, 1 Cor 1.10, Phil 2.3).
If you do not currently attend a church, I would encourage you to seek one out. Pray for God’s direction, visit many after studying what they believe to see if it is Biblically sound (check out their websites), leave those that never open a Bible or focus on externals (i.e. legalistic), make multiple visits to main contenders, join the one you feel God leading you to, get involved (i.e. attend small group settings to get to know people), start serving in some manner & prepare to grow spiritually!
Of course, it’s fine to refer to the buildings where congregations meet as churches, but just understand the Bible refers to people. However, it is important that we don’t focus too heavily on the building itself (Acts 17.24) as we are to worship God daily (Rom 12.1, Heb 13.15), not just in a church building. It’s merely a structure for the real church to meet in. In fact, in some cases, church has been held in homes (Acts 2.46, Phm 1.2) & in others there was apparently a specific place (1 Cor 11.17-22). What’s important is that there is Biblical organizational structure & function as we’ll discuss later.
Firstly, there is what’s referred to as the universal church which is the collection of believers from throughout all time (Mt 16.18, Eph 1.22-23, 3.14-15, 21, Heb 12.23). Though, in Christian circles, the universal church is commonly discussed as those Christians who are alive on earth at that time. It is important to note that it is not possible for the universal church to meet together on earth due to physical distance, time & language barriers. Also, there are no human leaders of the universal church because Christ is the head (Col 1.18, 2.18-19), so no other leadership is needed apart from Him, nor does the Bible designate any.
The other & most common meaning for church in Scripture is the local church (1 Cor 1.2, 1 Thes 1.1, Rev 1.11). The local church is distinct from the universal church in that God does prescribe human leadership for it (1 Tim 3.1-13, Acts 6.2-4). In short, the local leadership consists of A) elders (overseers) who’s roles are to shepherd (teach, pray for & exhort) & manage (lead & oversee) the church body; & B) deacons whose roles are to serve the body in various ways while assisting the elders. Also, this assembly of believers can & is intended to meet together regularly for various reasons.
The Bible compares each local church to a body with many distinct parts that work & function together as seen in 1 Cor 12.12-27. If you have never experienced this, it is a most beautiful & awesome thing. Each member is important, has a function & should look out for & love the other members (Jn 13.35). In order for that to happen, it is obvious that the members must meet together. Specific functions of each member are vast & varied depending on the spiritual gifts, demographics & size of the local body. However, the collective functions of a local church body include A) the exaltation of Christ & His Scriptures (1 Tim 4.13-16, 2 Tim 3.14-17, 4.2, Tit 1.9), B) evangelization of the lost (Mt 28.19-20, Lk 24.47-49, Acts 1.8, 13.2-3, 38, 39, Rom 10.12-15) & C) edification of God’s people (Mt 28.19, Eph 4.11-16). It is also important to point out that individuals have different styles & preferences which are fine, but should not prohibit the above functions or become divisive as sadly they are known to do in some cases (1 Cor 3.1-3, Jas 4.1).
As we can see from the above verse references, the church’s job is to make disciples per Jesus’ instruction. Just to clarify, a disciple of Jesus is someone who continually seeks to learn from Him (Jn 8.31-32), grow spiritually (Jn 15.8), share (Mk 16.20) & obey (Jn 14.23-24), often making personal sacrifices to do so (Lk 14.26, 33). Therefore, unbelievers are to be evangelized with the hope that they will become disciples of Christ (believers) & churchgoers are to be continually discipled through Biblical teaching & Christian fellowship within the church. After all, if the elders & others with the gift of teaching are to teach, then there should be teaching in the church. If there is teaching, there should be people being taught. And if people are being taught, they should be putting what they learn into practice. And specifically, the teaching should be from the Bible, God’s only written Word to us (Col 3.16, 2 Thes 2.15, 2 Tim 3.16).
A word of caution is needed to mention that there are many who do not teach the Bible or will twist it to fit their agenda (Tit 1.11) or other non-Biblical beliefs (Mt 16.12, 23.13). God knew this would be a problem which is why nearly every book of the New Testament & much of the Old Testament warns against false teachers & prophets. We can distinguish false teachers by their lifestyle (Mt 7.15-16), by studying the Scriptures to see if what is taught is true (Acts 17.11) & by seeking God’s guidance (Jn 16.13). Also, it is important that we not avoid the parts of the Bible that we do not like (Acts 20.27, 2 Tim 4.2-4). There will be parts of it that make us uncomfortable (Jn 6.60, 66-69), but those are the parts we grow from (1 Thes 1.5).
On a side note, some might say they don’t believe in “organized” religion. To which I would ask, “Do they like disorganized religion?” : ) Unfortunately, you probably can find some disorganized churches. Worse would be those that are organized, but completely miss God’s plan for a properly functioning local church. However, God is a God of order (1 Cor 14.33, 2 Cor 12.20) & lays out the general purpose & direction for all local bodies of believers.
When one becomes a follower of Christ, they are automatically a part of the universal church. They can even still be a Christian if they are not part of or attend a local church, but there should be the desire & conviction to be obedient in that manner (1 Tim 3.15, Heb 10.23-25). No church is perfect as they are made up of imperfect people, but there are some that do seek to follow God’s layout for a local group of believers. If you find one that works at trying to function as the Bible describes, you will be blessed if you join it, but even more so if you perform your function in it. Many people get derailed when they attend church with a self-serving attitude (i.e. “What’s in it for me?” or “I’m not getting anything out of it.”). If you focus inwardly, you will inevitably find yourself discontented. Make an effort to focus upward (Rom 8.5, Col 3.2) & outward (Rom 12.10, 1 Cor 1.10, Phil 2.3).
If you do not currently attend a church, I would encourage you to seek one out. Pray for God’s direction, visit many after studying what they believe to see if it is Biblically sound (check out their websites), leave those that never open a Bible or focus on externals (i.e. legalistic), make multiple visits to main contenders, join the one you feel God leading you to, get involved (i.e. attend small group settings to get to know people), start serving in some manner & prepare to grow spiritually!
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. – Rom 12.1-8