Do We Need Churches To Go To Church? Christian life in the modern world seems to revolve around local church buildings, called churches. These buildings are so central to Western Christianity that almost all worship, praise, fellowship and prayer services take place in them. Almost all evangelistic activity takes place in churches where seekers are invited to meetings. In fact, many who attend church services question the faith of those who claim to be Christian and who live a Christian life in all respects except that they dont go to church. What is the truth? Is church attendance a mere practice of religion or is it necessary to find peace with God? Big Church Answer: Denominations and big established churches (say, larger than the average house would hold) will all tell you church is necessary to have the Christian fellowship encouraged in the Bible. In their support, many people have attended church services to find the hope and salvation that Jesus offers. That certainly was my experience. At the age of 13, I had committed a sin for which my fathers punishment wasnt enough. One afternoon, it occurred to me to visit the local church that evening when the cars arrived. It happened to be the first meeting of a week-long evangelistic revival. I went to the alter, accepted Christ and began a journey that eventually led me into the ministry. Let me tell you, for me, the big church changed my life. So I dont find it surprising to hear the big church leaders answer the question by saying, Yes, churches are absolutely necessary for Christian life. Though Im not surprised by the answer, it may be a little self-serving. But big churches are joined by a relatively new faction in Christianity, the house church movement. House Church Answer: Members of the house church movement are commonly understood to believe that big churches were not around for the first 350 years of Christianity, that you dont need a denomination, professional speaker or worship leader to honor God, that, in the early Church, spiritual gifts were exercised as everyone spoke and sang and prayed and ate together in the Holy Spirit in each others home. All this is true, as clearly documented in the New Testament. Ive experienced home church and can tell you some of my closest Christian relationships came from home fellowships of one kind or another. My preferred style of Christian worship, in fact, is in small, intimate groups where, if someone says their son is sick, you can see his face when you pray for him. If you were to ask me, Id tell you this small, intimate fellowship is absolutely necessary for Christian life and spiritual growth. Of course, this is a little self-serving because Im a leader in one of those house church movements. Answer From The Bible: Churches are mentioned numerous times in the Bible so maybe thats where we can turn for the authoritative answer to the question. Youre probably saying, ...ya think? The writer of Hebrews tells us to not neglect gathering together as some are in the habit of doing. Acts records that the church met regularly in homes to fellowship, study, pray and, my favorite, eat together. Sometimes Christians rented larger rooms or halls to accommodate larger meetings. Paul writes to the Corinthian churches that everyone has a hymn, teaching, revelation, tongue or interpretation that must be done but done in an orderly way. No matter where or when you go to church this is what the Bible says happens there. If these things arent happening youd have to wonder if youve gone to church or to some other place. After 20 years of Bible study, I have yet to find the Scripture that says where is THE place of worship. I hear people in big churches say this is the place and people in homes saying this is the place. It reminds me of the question the Samaritan woman asked Jesus...where is the right place to worship, Jerusalem or Samaria? Jesus answered, ...the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth... The place to go to church is in our spirits, loving our God and loving our brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ...all believers...everywhere. So the Bible answers our question with a resounding, Yes! We need churches to go to church...churches in caves, cathedrals, fields, temples, homes and commercial buildings...wherever believers can worship in spirit and in truth.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Nov 2014 04:11:41 +0000
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