Why Attend Church?
by Harley Pinon
The question, Why attend church? is answered a lot of different ways. There are some rather extreme, but quiet answers. One extreme is the person who never attends services. On the other hand, there are those who rarely ever miss. If they do, it is usually because of personal illness, severe weather, or some other situation beyond their control.
I make it a practice to be in church at every opportunity unless there are unusual circumstances that keep me away, but why? I go to church for several reasons. First of all, I go to church to worship God with my church family. I believe that God intended us to "gather to gather to ask the Lord's blessings." Jesus said, "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." (Mat 18:20 NKJV) Some use this to substitute family devotions or family worship for public worship. While I'm glad that Jesus made the number small, I believe the Bible also stresses the need of meeting with those besides our family when that is possible, and in our country, it usually is. In (Heb 10:25 NKJV), we read, "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." Thayer Definition: of "assembling" 1) a gathering together in one place 2) the (religious) assembly (of Christians).
I think the scripture is clear that Christians are expected to assemble. One of the great things about our assembly is our fellowship. John put it this way, "that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ." (1 John 1:3 NKJV) He goes on to say, "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7 NKJV) As I look at the Greek word for fellowship (κοινωνία koinōnia) I am struck by how it appears to simply be a different form of the Greek word for common (κοινός, koinos). I like to think of fellowship as "common-ship." It is an opportunity to share all we have in common with one another and with God. I hope that includes a lot.
The song "Blest be the Tie," means a great deal to me, especially knowing what prompted John Fawcett to write the song. As Christians, we should share a great deal with each other. Else where on this website, www.harleypinon.com/harley_and_carolyn_pinon.htm there are pictures of our family. We are so blessed that we all live within 20 miles of each other. We all share a common faith in God, and we all love each other. Two of our sons, Jonathan and Andy, work with me in our building business, so we work together every work day of the week. We usually have lunch together. It is a wonderful experience for which I am very thankful. We get together often. We share meals together, and have total family reunions for birthdays, holidays, and other weekends. I don't think I have to tell you that we do not feel compelled to have these get to gathers. We get together because we enjoy getting together.
The church is the family of God. I enjoy getting together with my Christian family. We, too are a family. As some songs express, we laugh together, cry together, pray together, and, of course, worship God together. I don't look upon church attendance as a duty as much as a real privilege. That fellowship is not only with each other, but with Christ, God, and His Holy Spirit. Each week we gather around the Lord's table and partake as we are reminded again of that awesome price He paid for our freedom. Worshipping together is a blessing no one should miss. I know some miss because the "common-ship" is missing. Sometimes it's because they are out of harmony with God, sometimes out of harmony with family members; that family may be their own family, or the family of God. I feel truly sorry for those individuals.
Jesus said, "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. {3} "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:2-3 NKJV) That's a wonderful thought, but just think: we can know part of that joy right now as we gather together to worship Him. Remember what He said, "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." (Mat 18:20 NKJV)
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