Why Wouldn't You Want to God to Church?

A few weeks ago a local newspaper writer responded to the question, "Do you have to be a Christian to go to church?" As I read the article, a few things came to mind. This is my response to this question.


Does one have to go to church to be a Christian? Lord only knows how many times I have been asked this question, and I am not alone. Typically our answers center around the blessing received from church affiliation. That is, we often point to the great blessing of fellowship or having people to pray with and for you. Who, after all, doesn't want that?

Surely this impulse is right. We should point out the blessings. But is there more to say?

I believe there is. First, the question itself represents a misunderstanding of the church. It assumes that the church is a static thing that you go to instead of a living thing that you are part of. Many think of churches in terms of a building where stuff happens. We see the church as a monument of bricks instead of a movement of people. That is why many often say, "Let's go to church," or "There is a service at the church." While it is good and necessary to gather together (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:25), the NT pictures the church as a living organism. It is the bride of Christ (Eph. 5:22ff.) made up of witnesses to the gospel of Christ (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). It is what Christ himself is building to push back the resistance of hell (Matt. 16:18). And it is the ordained instrument of God to display his wisdom (Eph. 3:10). None of this can be fully accomplished within the narrow confines of a building.

Second, when we answer this question purely in terms of what one gets out of church, we cater to the consumer mentality of our day. We act as if "getting something out of it" is the only reason to be involved in a church. Thus we relegate the church to a dispenser of religious goods and services--a virtual Wal-Mart for the soul--that you check in and out of as you needs dictate.


Such a mindset loses sight of the fact that God purchased the church at great cost to himself. When speaking to a group of church leaders in Ephesus, Paul said, "Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood (Acts 20:28)." Two things stand out. First, the church here is called God's church--a fact that should underscore the importance of the church. Second, he purchased the church with the blood of his son--a fact that should create respect for the church.

You know the value of something by what you are willing to pay for it. A few years ago we tried to sell a house. The economy had just crashed and the housing market was in shambles. Nevertheless, I was sure that our house had retained its value so we placed in on the market with a firm price. Months went by with no takers. Our agents tried to get me to lower the price, but I assured them of the houses value. Finally, a courageous person told me, "I hate to break it to you, but your house is worth what someone will pay for it."

If that was true for my house, might it be true for God's church? We honor God when we value what he values. If a person claims to love the God who died to save them, wouldn't that person love the movement he died to create? Do not misunderstand what I am saying. God saves us individually. But God also has a plan for us corporately. We do not honor God as individuals when we question is wisdom in giving us the church. The fact of the matter is this: when we dismiss or disregard the bride, we insult the husband.

That being said, the real question not, "Do I have to go to church to be a Christian?" The real question is, "If I am a Christian, why wouldn't I want to go to church?" Perhaps this better illustrates the heart of the matter.