Recently, I stumbled upon an intriguing article penned by an agnostic individual, who, despite their personal beliefs, acknowledged the profound importance of the communal gathering of believers, or as I commonly heard growing up as, “going to church.” The individual was examining the results of a survey from PRRI on Religious Change in America (published on March 27, 2024). The article is written as a lament of what people have lost as a result of not being part of a regular gathering, and have even tried to replace with technology.
This article reminds us of the timeless significance of communal worship. In a world marked by an array of ideologies and beliefs, the recognition of the value of religious community by someone outside of the faith serves as a poignant reminder of the universal appeal and impact of collective spiritual practices. I have preached on the importance of church attendance. I have written on why the believer attends faithfully here and here. In that last article linked, I gave five reasons for attending church gatherings: 1) plainly stated in Scripture, 2) its necessary in fulfilling many Biblical commands, 3) theological reasoning, 4) it’s the practice through the ages, and 5) many practical blessings.
The fifth reason I give for going to church is everything this agnostic gentleman is lamenting. The practical blessings of being in church. He noted the statistical relationships between those who do not go to church with the overall loss of social interaction and community, less civic engagement, declining marriage and famil stability, swallowing sense of meaning and community, and lower mental health and overall well-being. While there may be some sociological factors they noted, I see it as one of the ways God blesses us as we do what we were created to do, to be together and worship God.
In the beginning, even before sin entered humanity, God said, “And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him” (Gen. 2:18). In the very way God has designed us, we are made for relationships. We are to have a relationship with the Lord and other people. Nothing can substitute that for us.
The sentiments expressed by the psalmists resonate through the ages, capturing the profound joy and sense of unity experienced when believers gather in the house of the Lord. The psalmists wrote, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord” (Psalm 122:1), and “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psalm 133:1). Reminding us of the intrinsic and personal blessings of gathering with others believers and gathering to worship God.
Finally, Hebrews 10:25, provides one of the strongest assertions for believers to gather, “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.” The verse admonishes us not to forsake the assembly of themselves together, recognizing that some may fall into the habit of neglecting the community of faith. Instead, believers are encouraged to exhort one another, supporting and uplifting each other in faith. As the day of Christ’s return draws nearer, the urgency to gather together intensifies, underscoring the significance of communal worship as a source of mutual encouragement, spiritual edification, and preparation for the coming kingdom.
So, the last thing I will say is, “Go to church.” In all its forms and offerings. Go to church. Like I’ve heard many say, “If the church doors were open, we were there.” Let’s get back to that type of faithfulness. You will be glad you did.
Jeremy Kamer Ministries 