Why Going to Church Is Important (And the Real Reason Why We Miss)

I walked into the church on a Wednesday night with a blazer, sneakers, and an afro. It was my first time.

I wasn’t a “church person,” nor did I know anything about God, faith, or the Bible.

But I did feel that there was something more to life, and I felt called to a deeper love.

Yes, I went to church that night at 16 years old, and never turned back. I got saved, baptized, filled with God’s Spirit, and even started ministering.

I bought a MercyMe and a Now! Worship CD, and during the summers when I wasn’t at school, I would walk to my local library, worshipping God out loud on my portable CD player.

And ever since that Wednesday night in 2004, I can probably count on one hand the number of times I missed a church service.

Going to church was important to me.

I didn’t like everyone at church. I didn’t fit in with the other youth. I sometimes didn’t feel like going. Sometimes the message was boring. And some people were rude. 

But I went, and I believe God blessed me for that faithfulness.

I wanted to share one thought with you today: Why going to church is important.

Now, I don’t expect many people to gravitate to this article or praise it too much.

And the reason for that is because it’s an article about going to church—something that most Christians in America say you just don’t have to do.

And I might even say some things that many will disagree with, or something that I myself might start disagreeing with at a later date.

This is kind of a “thinking out loud” article.

But I’m going to present one thing to you and just hit the ground running:

If you don’t believe you need to go to church, what do you do with this scripture?

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV

²⁴ And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

So, before we proceed with this discussion, let's acknowledge that there is a clear scripture that instructs us not to miss the gathering of the saints.

Do we even need to go any further?

Shouldn’t we attend church since we have a scripture that tells us to? Then, why do 66% of American Christians believe they don’t need to go?

Well, in my opinion, it’s obvious: The ones who believe they don’t “have” to go do not value the entirety of the scriptures.

Sure, they might like the verses they agree with and the ones that “line up” with what they already believe.

They might like the verses that don’t cause them to sacrifice anything for God or push them out of their comfort zone.

They enjoy the “encouraging” scriptures.

However, any verse that contradicts their “set of beliefs,” such as the one that instructs them to attend the gathering when they believe they don’t have to, is simply ignored.

They know this verse exists, but they choose not to follow it because it makes God “uncomfortable” to them.

But if you don’t go to church somewhere on a consistent basis, is it not a move of disobedience to what God wants you to do?

If the 66% don’t believe they have to be at church, what do they say in response to this scripture?

What is the rebuttal? How do they explain it away?

They simply ignore it, which reveals the deeper problem: They don’t believe every word in the Bible is inspired.

And this problem will cause them to live a half-hearted, ineffective life that is not really centered around God.

Some might think, “Jamey, you can’t put everyone on your level. Their journey is not yours. Just because you go regularly doesn’t mean you should expect everyone to do the same.”

However, I would again point them back to the scripture. What does it say?

Is that Jamey saying that? Is the scripture only for some and not for all Christians?

In other words, that statement is a deflection because they’re trying to ignore the scripture again.

What is their rebuttal to it?

And no, you are not “the church,” and therefore, you do not need to attend a physical church gathering.

Why Going to Church Is Important, and Why Do We Miss?

What’s the real reason why we miss church?

Apart from the main reason above (that they don’t really believe all the scriptures), there’s more to it.

Now, I don’t want to upset anyone too much, but there is one possibility why the desire to attend church consistently is not in some.

Because they’re not really saved.

Sorry, but it is possible.

When you get saved, you’ll want to please God, and the Holy Spirit should reveal to you His will.

As a pastor, I’ve seen people attend church for a bit, then just kind of disappear.

My gut tells me that they probably never really grasped God in the first place. I just didn’t see any fruit.

But most of the time, I think the reason for not going to church can be summed up in one word:

FLESH.

Paul said that he wanted to do what God wants him to do, but in his flesh, he refused the will of God.

His spirit was willing, but his flesh was weak.

You’re saved, but it’s time to get your flesh under control and get serious about it.

God has been dealing with me lately about 1 Corinthians 9:24-27:

²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. ²⁵ Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. ²⁶ So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. ²⁷ But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

We all like the part about running the race, but we forget about the next part:

Disciplining your body.

Getting your body and your flesh up to get dressed and come to church, even if your flesh doesn’t feel like it.

Here’s a more detailed description of the reason for not coming:

They just don’t want to go.

They don’t want to sacrifice anything for God, but want God to do everything for them that they pray for.

They think church is boring.

They have trouble paying attention.

They only want what gives them quick satisfaction—sleep, entertainment, food, money.

But the general reason for all this is… the flesh.

The Church is Partly to Blame

I know, not every church is perfect.

Not even the one in the Bible.

People are rude and hypocritical at times. The message sucks at times.

I do think some churches could use some more of this and that.

Better character and teaching. More Spirit. More love.

I do think that some pastors don’t have any business pastoring, especially if they just kind of “anointed” themselves, don’t care what others think, and don’t want to learn.

But think about it: Is every church within driving distance really that bad, and doesn’t deserve your attendance?

You might need to search for a while, but I can almost guarantee that if you live in America, there is a church within driving distance that needs you and your gifts.

Going to Church is a Test of Your Faith

Going to church is a simple thing. All you have to do is wake up, get dressed, and go for an hour or two.

You simply sit and receive the Word.

Of course, it could be different if you serve and all that.

But it is not as hard as some people make it sound. Again, they say it’s hard simply because they just don’t want to go.

If you cannot do this simple thing, why would God trust you with anything more important?

We have had people attend our church who we believed would be leaders to help us.

But then the day comes when they miss a service and don’t tell us why (they don’t have to).

Then, they start missing more sporadically because that’s what always happens—if you miss once, I guarantee it will be easier to miss more in the future (I’ve been doing this for a long time).

I always think to myself, “There it is. They’re not going to be good leaders because they can’t even be faithful to the house of God.”

And it always goes back to the belief: “You know, I really don’t have to go to every service. God loves me no matter what. Consistent attendance is not necessary.”

They just joined the 66%. It is a sign that you’re not doing well in your walk with God.

Going to church is a test of your faith. Are you serious about this? Is this real to you? Do you believe the whole Bible? Are you aware that He gave it all for you?

Or will you be a ten-fold Christian with barely any fruit?

This Article Will Not Convince You

I don’t expect anyone to read this and then, because of it, start attending church regularly.

For one, people have struggled with attending for thousands of years. Do I really think I can change that?

Second, I can’t change your mind or your heart. Only the Holy Spirit can reveal to you what you should do in this life.

If you really have the Holy Spirit but don’t attend regularly, ask Him to reveal this matter to you.

What are your thoughts on church attendance and why it’s important?

But mainly, I would like to know what you think about the Hebrews 10 scripture.

Drop a comment!