I am often asked by non-Christians and Christians alike if I think that church involvement is required. Even more often I am involved in discussions with Christians about whether church involvement is even relevant or important in the life of a Christian. Have you ever been challenged in this way? Have you ever been asked this question?
Many people that I have mentioned this to seem surprised that this is even a question or that Christians would consider not attending or being actively involved in a church. I admit that it did catch me of guard at first as well because I grew up in a traditional Christian (Southern Baptist) family and church on Sundays was just what we always did. So for the first time in my life I was challenged to determine the “why” behind that choice in my adult life and to some degree to defend my views on the subject.
First of all I do not believe that any religious acts are “required” for our salvation and this includes church involvement. There is nothing that we can or are expected to “do” in order to have salvation and eternal life . . . it is the free and gracious gift of the Lord through faith in Jesus and belief in God’s gift of His son to live a sinless life and to die to pay for our sins. Christianity is not about religion, but yet a relationship with our Lord and savior.
However, while I do not believe that it is required I do believe that church involvement is a relevant and important part of a Christian’s life. My reasons for this are . . .
- I believe that spiritual growth is largely influenced by spiritual teachings of those that God has imparted the gift of preaching and teaching. I believe that I benefit greatly from the teachings of those that God has gifted in this way, are more mature in their faith, and have studied the Bible in more depth than I have at this point in my life. Do I think that I can study the Bible and learn on my own? Of course. I believe that component is also essential to my spiritual growth but I see great benefit in absorbing the teachings of others as well.
- I believe that church communities, and specifically small group bible studies within the church, are also a vital part of my spiritual growth. Involvement in this allows me to grow deeper in my understanding of the teachings that I receive on a weekly basis and to explore those and other biblical topics on a deeper level with other Christians who often offer additional perspectives. It also provides a Christian community for fellowship with like-minded individuals.
- I believe that churches are an established venue and mode for sharing the gospel and demonstrating love in our communities and beyond. They provide structure and guidance for these efforts and a community of believers to band together for a common purpose.
Do I believe that church is the only way to be led through teachings, form community with like-minded individuals, share the gospel, or organize humanitarian efforts to our communities and beyond? Definitely not. Nor do I believe that it should be. However, I do believe that it is a relevant and essential piece of the larger purpose that God intends for the life of a Christian which includes growing closer to God, experiencing spiritual growth to the fullest, developing our gifting, and serving out the will of God in our lives.
One final objection to church involvement that I hear often, and am compelled to address, is that “the American church” is a disappointment and fails to deliver in the areas that I mentioned above as purposes for which I believe in it. My response to this is two-fold. First of all, all churches should not be judged for the actions and shortfalls of a few. Just as we as Christians do not support labeling of racial, ethnic, gender, or socioeconomic groups based on the attributes of individuals neither should we label the whole church based on what we encounter with some. Secondly, I do not feel that our response to disappointment in the church should be to abandon it but yet to revolutionize it.
These are just the views of a humble Christian missionary but I hope that they will cause all those that read this to ponder your views on this subject, examine the basis for your beliefs, and challenge yourself to consider my points and my call for change within and through our churches instead of in conflict with them.
