This is a question that people need to ask themselves. Most who don’t go to church could identify several reasons they don’t, but can those who go provide a sound argument for attending? Have they reflected long enough to determine their motives? As with any spiritual discipline, motive is more important than action.
It seems that most Westerners who identify themselves as “Christian” operate with the assumption that attending a church service holds intrinsic value. They believe that the act of sitting among a congregation within earshot of a sermon is a discipline that will be rewarded in heaven. They’ll sit through a service unhappy about being there. They’ll watch the clock in boredom hoping the service gets out in time to beat the rush at their favorite restaurant. Their only interaction is with the attendance sheet. “Check. I was here.” You know someone like this. This may be you.
For these people, the sacrifice of going to church is a good deed – it’s what you should do. It’s right above exercising, flossing and putting shopping carts back in the corral. Think about it – how many times have you heard the expression, “Well, at least they’re going to church”?
Sometimes the perceived value of church attendance goes beyond earning reward in heaven to earning admission to heaven. In response to the questions, “Will you go to heaven?” and “Are you a Christian?” is the frighteningly common reply, “Well, I go to church…”. Does attending a family reunion make you family? If entering the pearly gates was as simple as having more Sunday mornings in a pew than on a pillow, I’d be more militant about getting my beloved to a church – any church. I’d improve my lasso throw.
Others attend church because it makes them feel good. They’ll find the church with the most entertainment value and least sacrificial commitment. The algorithm for choosing a church is comprised of familiar faces, engaging music, pleasing aesthetics, compelling sermons, and comfy seats. The specialty coffee is worth bonus points.
Motives. We assume the best when someone goes to church but assume the worst when strangers offer something free. Let’s face it, some reasons people go to church are bad. Throughout the Bible God emphasizes his concern for the state of the heart behind every act of obedience and worship. If the heart doesn’t validate the action, God isn’t pleased. In fact, sometimes God is insulted by acts of worship with a legalistic and begrudging attitude. Check out Amos 5:21-23 where God tells his people that the things he commanded them to do are now bothersome to him. Verse 21 even mentions the assembly of his people: “I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies.”
So if you go to church to appease an otherwise angry God, you attend to get your feel-good fix, you participate because it’s socially expected, you’re there to check out the singles scene or any other in the list of bad reasons, maybe you should reconsider. From my perspective, you are hereby absolved from any expectation to be under a steeple.
The way I understand the Bible, whether you’re a Christian or not, the only reason to subject yourself to a teaching about God is to know more about him. You can check your motives easily with these questions: Do you also seek to learn more about God by reading his book? Do you regularly ask him in prayer what he thinks? Do you look for ways to interact with him in private that others may never notice?
Please go to church to learn more about the creator of the universe who loves you enough to send his son to die as punishment for your wrongdoings that you may live with him in paradise for eternity. If you already go to church, start acting like you want to know God better the other six days of the week. If the extent of your relationship with God is in a church service once a week, he’s probably wondering why you’re there.
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Tags: Attendance, Church, Motive, Worship