My Faith Journey: 5 Significant Reasons For Attending Church

In my life as a Christian, attending church has always been more than a customary practice; it’s been a profound and spiritually enriching experience. I believe that church is a sacred gathering, a place where believers come together to grow in their faith, find community, worship, receive moral guidance, and serve others.

In this essay, I will share my personal reflections on five compelling reasons why attending church is so important to me, supported by specific Bible verses that underscore these beliefs.

1. Deepening My Faith: One of the core reasons I attend church is to deepen my faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 10:17 (NIV) beautifully captures this truth: “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”

The first time I stepped into a Bible believing church, the Holy Spirit had used the pastor to prick at my heart and convict me of my sin. I remember pausing the sermon half-way through and asking for prayer because I needed God’s forgiveness right away. It was a powerful moment in my life that changed my trajectory, from being in complete darkness to embracing the light of Christ.

Many years later, I still have the privilege of hearing the Word of God preached, which has profoundly enriched my understanding of my faith and my personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It continues to keep me on that narrow path that leads to life and keeps me connected with like-minded believers who encourage me through my highs and lows.

2. Community and Fellowship: Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV) has always resonated with me: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

A couple of years ago, I started attending a men’s bible study consistently. However, I slowly began missing their weekly meetings and faded away from their fellowship. Tom, a brother in Christ who attended this bible study, would always text me on Facebook or social media and ask if I would be attending the next week. He kept me accountable on a weekly basis, and if it wasn’t for him, I may have never gone back.

This situation reminds me of the importance of community and fellowship among believers. Through church, I have found a close-knit community that supports me, prays for me, and shares in my faith journey. I don’t know how I would navigate throughout my life without having believers in Christ spur me on.

3. Worship and Praise: Worship and praise are the heartbeat of my faith. Psalm 95:1-2 (NIV) encapsulates this sentiment beautifully: “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.” Attending church services provides a structured and communal setting for me to engage in worship, expressing my gratitude and love for God.

When I was a college pastor in Indiana, every year we would take the students to the winter jam concert where all the famous Christian artists would perform live through worship and bible teaching.

After each of these concerts, it felt like my spirit was rejuvenated and ready to continue pushing towards the goal of making Christ known to the nations. Music, especially worship, has the power to inspire and motivate us to fulfill God’s commandment to share the good news to the world. Do you feel the same?

4. Guidance on Moral and Ethical Issues: As I navigate life’s complexities, I find guidance in the Bible’s moral and ethical teachings. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) reinforces the importance of Scripture: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

I find it essential that Christian communities continue to learn from one another. Scripture makes it clear that we are called to correct our mistakes and theology if it doesn’t align with God’s word. When I graduated from seminary, I reached to my bible professor who was a New Testament scholar.

As my views began to shift in a new direction, I had asked him if he would ever change his position on what he teaches. He made it clear that he was confident and not willing to embrace theological change. I found this unbiblical and unfruitful. No matter how much bible knowledge we have, I think we should be willing to reject old views that do not correspond to the veracity of God’s word.

5. Service and Outreach: Service and outreach are integral aspects of my faith. Matthew 25:35-36 (NIV) reminds me of the importance of caring for others: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink…”.

Many conservative evangelical churches are actively involved in community service and outreach programs, giving me opportunities to serve those in need and make a positive impact on my community. For instance, our church worked with Habitat for humanity to build a new home for a financially struggling couple. We also went to the homeless shelter every other week and served food to the poor and needy.

Conclusion: In my journey as a conservative evangelical Christian, attending church is not just a routine; it’s a profound and transformative experience. Through deepening my faith, finding a supportive community, engaging in worship and praise, receiving moral guidance, and participating in service and outreach, I find my faith enriched and my purpose fulfilled, aligning with the teachings of the Bible. Church is not just a place; it’s a sacred journey of faith that continually shapes and strengthens my relationship with God.