Do I Need Church?
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Now you are thinking, "Timmy of course you think people need to attend church, you are a pastor!" Ha ha! I understand that, but it's just not true! I tell people the same thing whether I am looking to invite them to Mercy Church (church I pastor) or send them to whatever church is in their particular City and State. I feel strongly about this actually, and would attend church regularly even if I was not a pastor. And I can prove this because I have only been a minister for 20 years and previous to being a pastor I attended church and invited others to do so too.
Here is why I feel strongly about it; first church is NOT a building, church is people. So by asking "Do I Need Church?" is really asking, "Do I Need People?" And this is why I say a loud YES! Also church represents God, so Do You Need God? And again I say YES! Now I realize that not all Christians or Churches do a good job a representing God. Maybe they are more of a reflection ON Jesus then they are a reflection OF Jesus. I know, I have been there, I was raised in church, I have seen it all, and I do mean all!
I have had several bad experiences with Dentists, but guess what? I still go to the dentist for check ups, cleanings and fillings. I don't go the ones who drilled my tongue, or stabbed my cheek, or the dentist who had an office that resembled more of an auto repair shop then a clean sanitary dentist office.
Church is about, or should be about, growing in our relationships - with God and others. It's really that simple. I have to admit people who are anti-church and say things like, "I don't need to go to church to be a Christian!" They are in fact correct, but again it's like my son's question about brushing his teeth!
I have found that people who believe you don't need to go to church to be a Christian miss out on others helping to refine and challenge their thinking. Sometimes when we are left to think alone and believe alone and have no one to say, "dude, that's a little weird bro!" we miss out. This has at least been my experience anyway.
Q: Where Should I Go To Church?
A: A place you like! I mean let's be honest, you're not going to like everything, or every decision the church makes, that's not possible! That's life! But if you feel like you fit, enjoy the people, the leadership, the style, the beliefs, etc. Then jump in with both feet and support the church fully! Now I will say I would highly recommend belonging to a church where you can be you, no hiding, lying and wearing a mask. Life is too short for that junk.
Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
