To go or not to go to church? That is the question!
By JQuisumbing
Can someone believe in God but not attend church?
If you are asking, does one have to go to ‘church’? I’m assuming that that person doesn’t want to go to church and be instead a hermit Christian. There is no such thing as a MAVERICK Christian. A maverick is defined as being unorthodox or independent-minded. In a sense, he/she would want to do their own thing their own way. This is hard to do especially when you disagree with the commandments of Jesus Christ who definitely calls you to do hard tasks like ‘Love your enemies’. Heed the words of the Apostle Paul if you have thoughts of going on it alone.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:3-5)
It may be that you are asking this, because you have a hard time being around lots of people. This I can understand. I used to go to a mega-church. I actually found it hard to develop meaningful relationships with thousands of people every Sunday. But I still go and join the brethren mainly because the Lord desires it. As the Bible says…
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Exodus 20:8)
For us modern day worshippers, Sunday is our Sabbath day. Of course, I realized that the Sunday Services were not really meant for very close fellowships. The usual two hour services are mainly for WORSHIPING and gaining divine instructions. The implementation of God’s instructions, however, can only be achieved effectively among the close relationship of a few. Consider why Jesus chose twelve men from among the multitude to disciple; and even from among them, He focused on three (Peter, James & John). Jesus had set for us a model to follow so that we can apply the Great Commission.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you… (Matthew 28:19,20)
Do we need to go to church? You bet!
Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:25)
Remember! Sunday services are for worshiping God collectively with the congregation, whether of a hundred to tens of thousands. To grow and become fruitful, I encourage you to be part of a small group even if it is only among two or three persons.
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20)
Johann Quisumbing 