Why Go to Church When I Think I Can be a Solo Christian

A young acquaintance on another forum said he didn't feel the need for church and didn't like being in a situation where he had to stand up and sit down every few minutes. My reply follows:

Well, you don't have to sit or stand every few minutes in our church --just sit in the back or on the edge and you can sit the whole time without feeling conspicuous--assuming sitting is preferable to standing the whole time?

It's a delightful experience, our worship music. We do it because the Bible says we should sing praises to our Maker --and He gave us the gift of music, gave people talents with which to make it. Music is entertaining to us and to God --inspiring to us. Pleasant to the ears. Enjoyable to do. We listen to preaching and teaching and make music because these activities are all part of the New Testament church --a means through which the Holy Spirit makes us wiser and stronger than we would otherwise be. We are motivated to do right and be good through a church's teachings/preachings. We hear of examples and are reminded of what is in the Bible --we are taught what God considers to be evil --and good.

As for church involvement, the Bible says "forsake not the assembly of the brethren." The disciples came together on the first day of the week to do what we do in churches today --to worship God, encourage one another in the faith, listen to teachers and preachers, and sometimes to hear testimonies of what God has done in our lives.

Also, we are to be known for our compassionate works and our love for each other --two things for which churches provide opportunity. We take on projects together to fulfill Christ's commissions --to help the needy, to minister to one another in love, to reach out to the community with God's love--and to tell others that Jesus Christ came to save us for Heaven.

Moreover, the church is the "discipling place" --a place where disciples are made --if the church is doing its job to bring people in and teach them what it means to be "Christian."

Biblically, we are the sheep of the Shepherd and belong in His sheepfold with the other sheep; we are members of Christ's body, each having a function; the Body of Christ includes all the believers together; we are the branches on the vine --and we are to "abide in the vine." Jesus said, "Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and will open the door, I will enter and dine with him (fellowship.)"

We find God on HIs terms --not our own. After all, "What is man, that thou art mindful of him?"








"God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and have eternal life."--the Bible