Why Should People Go to Church?

I was taken by surprise when asked this question a few weeks ago. My initial thought was, “Because they should.” This response really disturbed me. After all, if I’m helping people find a good church fit, shouldn’t I know why?  Even more, as a parent of young children, I know the question will come soon, “Why do we have to go to church today?” They’ll want a better answer than, “Because we should.”

As I thought about this, I remembered some car conversations we’ve had recently on the way home from church. And the answer struck me. Why should people go to church? They shouldn’t. The church should come to them.

Think of it this way – just as we desire to see a group of friends, we want to spend time with other people in a relationship with God. And a healthy church choice brings that to us. A healthy church reaches out to people and leads them into their community. Someone who really needs God shouldn’t have to wander into a church service or building to find Him – the “should” has to become a “want.”

My husband and I don’t go to church just out of obligation. And we don’t want our children to feel that church is an obligation. That’s why we chose our current church home more carefully than others in the past. 

We want to go because it is through our relationships at church we:

• Experience God more fully. Whether through the worship experience or conversations with others, we feel more connected to the movements of God.
• Understand better God’s purpose for us in His plan. It’s like seeking the advice of a good friend who sees the situation differently and helps us get outside of ourselves. 
• Know God more fully. We want to know more about God’s character, personality, behaviors, and whatever else He brings to our relationship with Him. Music, messages, and moments of conversation reveal more of Him to us.
• Learn how to bring God more fully into our lives and the lives of others.  Good relationships become intimate friendships when we invite others into our lives more deeply.

Going to church isn’t about having to go to a place; it’s about wanting to be in relationship with people. I’ve attended a lot of churches – and have worked at some – where the people came and served out of obligation. These are not healthy churches or healthy choices. Healthy churches look for and pursue a relationship with God. And they help us find Him in the people of the church.