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CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) 81% of Americans believe in the Judeo-Christian God. Yet only 30% of us regularly go to church.
That’s a huge gap.
Today I’d like to talk about why that matters.
First, I read the bible and pray every day. Why do I go to church? First and foremost, to learn more about God’s word. My minister simply knows more about scripture than I do. Studying the holy book is his life’s passion. He has insights and perspectives that I don’t have. Even if my study of the bible matches his chapter for chapter and verse for verse, I will know more about God’s will from hearing from other Christians.
Second, Christians are supposed to worship corporately – that is, as a group. When we gather together, we share each others joys and burdens. The sacraments – like holy communion and the baptism of new believers into the faith – must be done as a group. Jesus said this to us: “When two or three are gathered in my name, there I am, among you.” Worshiping alone is dead. Worshiping together invites an encounter with the living God.
Lastly, we are told that the church is the body of Christ; His relationship towards his holy church is as a loving husband is to his bride. As part of the body of Christ, I can do things that I can’t do alone. In my church I help to arrange rides so the poor can get to their new jobs. Others gather food and clothing for the needy. Your church does something like that too. And its probably more that just one person can do.
Imagine for a moment that you decide to go to church this Sunday, and you walk through the doors and find that the sanctuary is empty and the lights are off. You’d quietly go home, and your faith would be weakened. Now imagine the opposite; you arrive at church and the place is full, and you’re warmly welcomed by fellow believers. I assure you that when you return home your faith will be strengthened.
Try it.
This Sunday is not too soon.
Chris Conley
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