Over the years I will hear people say things like, “I don’t need to go to church to be spiritual.”, “I don’t need the church, I just need Jesus!”,  “I can worship God on my own, I don’t need a church to do that.” , “I can talk to God anywhere.”  Simply stated, I agree with them.  In a certain way, we don’t need the church, its buildings and budgets, its people and hypocrites, and all of the headaches that can come with them.  So then I ask, when was the last time you talked to God beyond, “I need your help!”, or “Could you get this for me, God?”  When was the last time you had a real conversation with God?  Or, when was the last time you had an encouraging discussion about God?

I recently read an article by Richard Kauffman about why he goes to church.  In it he lists things like, to meet God and be in God’s presence.  To be connected to others who share in the faith.  To find meaning, guidance and to make sense of his life.  He states he also goes for the music and to sing with others (where else do we go to sing with others on a regular basis?)

So, when I thought about why I go to church, beyond being a pastor, there were three reasons that stood out to me:

• I want to worship God, and attending church allows me to do that on a regular basis.  I do find other times during the week for personal or private worship of God, but this is not scheduled like church, and honestly, I like to worship God with others too!
• I want to know this God who loves me to death (literally) better.  I have been reading through the Bible for a  number of years now, and God never fails to speak to me or reveal more of his character to me as I read.  But my guess is many people are not reading the Bible on a regular basis and therefore are not getting to know God more deeply.
• I enjoy being with others who are seeking God as they spur me on, and encourage me to live life to the fullest!  God wants me to be blessed and be a blessing to others, and when I hang around other’s who take God seriously, I am blessed, (and hopefully I am a blessing too.)

Now, I know there is no “perfect” church as it is made up of imperfect people.  So if you attend church (as imperfect as it may be), I’d like to know your top three reasons for why you attend your church.  By doing so, you can be blessed and be a blessing to others as you share.  Yes, I understand some people  say their faith is a private matter between themselves and God, but God tells us to share our faith with others too.  If you do believe in God and are not attending church, I’d also like to hear your thoughts too on, “why I do not attend church.”   Either way, it is my prayer that God would bless and keep you safe through this thing we call life.