Why Go to Church?

Last night our family enjoyed the special treat of eating out at a local restaurant.  Our server was polite and had an American accent, always a good conversation starter!  It turns out he came over from the United States to go to Bible college at a local church.  In the midst of the discussion he said something I found interesting.  He invited us to visit his church and said, "Sunday nights are some of the best services.  It is always very creative - if anything creative is going to happen, that's the service for it."

I realize I have led a sheltered life in many respects, having worshiped the LORD for a majority of my life at one Bible-teaching church.  Never, in all that time, have I heard "creativity" as a draw card for someone to attend.  There is nothing wrong with creativity.  But I can't say that I would prefer one service over another because one seemed more "creative."  It left me with the question which all Christians must answer:  what is the primary reason that I attend a particular church over another?  What reason would I give to a seeker to come to my church?  Is it the creativity?  The incredible music?  The Bible teaching?  The love of the people who attend the fellowship?  Free doughnuts and air conditioning?  I actually heard that one before.  Years ago I had a conversation with a lady who said she comes to church because her house is so hot and the church has air conditioning.  Shouldn't the worship of God be the reason?

Perhaps I'm crazy, but it's clear that people come to church for all sorts of reasons.  Maybe they come to church to keep up the appearance of piety - though they would lose face to say so.  Some come for the social aspects, and others religiously attend because they believe it is a good influence on their kids.  But what reason does the Bible give for going to church to worship God corporately through church fellowship?  Hebrews 10:23-25 reads, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."  As long as Jesus Christ tarries before His certain return, we are exhorted not to forsake our assembling together.  And what should our fellowship with one another entail?  We should hold each other to Christ's standard of righteousness.  We must submit to and consider one another above ourselves for the purpose of stirring up love and good works.  Previous verses say that we should draw near to God with hearts full of assurance of faith in Him.

God has given every Christian spiritual gifts to edify the Body of Christ, lead non-believers to salvation through faith in Jesus, and the glory of God.  Regular church fellowship - drawing near to Jesus through faith and to each other as members of His Body - fosters unity, support, and growth.  If you attend a church because of what you hope to receive, there is a better and higher way modeled by Jesus:  He came as the servant of all.  There is no one more creative than God, for He is the Creator of all things.  But creativity in itself is not a viable substitute for the presence of God and Spirit-led preaching from God's Word.

There's no shortage of churches in the world but there is only one universal Body of Christ.  Make sure that where you attend Jesus Christ is being glorified and the Word of God is being taught faithfully.  But let me say this:  if you do not see the true purpose for gathering at your fellowship being lived out, it doesn't necessarily mean you should leave!  By the grace of God, you should seek to meet that lack.  You be the encourager.  You be the servant.  Allow Jesus Christ to live His life through you as you look for His return and be about your Heavenly Father's business.  Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can the work of the ministry be done.  As the words of King David the psalmist say in Psalm 133:1:  "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!"  When it is Christ who unites us, none can separate us!