I have always been big on being at church. When I first became a follower of Jesus it was hard to keep me away from church (just ask my parents). People like to say to me, “well you’re a pastor you are supposed to be at church.” That quote always bothers me because I take it as a questioning of my commitment to my Lord and Savior. What they don’t understand is that I would still be at church if I wasn’t a pastor.
I am always amazed at the reasons people who profess to be followers of Jesus give for not being in church. The list of reasons (excuses) is too exhaustive for this article. Quite frankly, the reasons at their core have not really changed all that much. I know people who would say you don’t need to be a part of a church to be a Christian. I have trouble finding that in the New Testament.
Here in the 21st century, people are using other avenues to avoid coming church. The use of the internet and social websites such as Facebook has ushered in a whole new list of reasons to avoid coming to church. While I am a big fan of these new technologies (I use them myself) they are not going to church! You cannot experience community through electrons and binary code!
The church is Christ’s bride. We are the church so we are His bride. Hebrews 10:25 tells us not to neglect gathering together as is the habit of some. I fear too many have a habit that has become hard to break.
