Why Bother With Church?

I talk about church attendance using Hebrews 10:19-25 with the assumption that it encourages active participation in a worshiping community. 

Church attendance refers to the act of regularly attending religious services at a designated place of worship. For many people, attending church is an important part of their spiritual practice and a way to connect with their faith community. Church attendance can also provide a sense of comfort and support during tough times, as well as opportunities for personal growth and reflection. However, church attendance can be influenced by a variety of factors, including personal beliefs, cultural norms, and availability of time and resources. Some people may choose to attend church regularly, while others may only attend on special occasions or not at all. Ultimately, the decision to attend church is a personal one that depends on individual values and circumstances.

Many people are becoming increasingly skeptical of organized religion, and some may feel that they can find spiritual fulfillment outside of traditional religious institutions. People are abandoning Christianity and organized religion at a rapid rate. This is particularly true of young adults and quite a few people my age group. Most of the time when people don’t go to church (speaking colloquially here), it’s because they have met up with some shenanigans that hurt them or ran them off. According to Richard Niebuhr in “The social Sources of Denominationalism,” denominations were just an expression of closed communal loyalties, more religious than relational. He argued that American Christianity is more defined by racial, ethnic, class, and regional identities, than by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Sad as this sounds, it rings with too much truth to ignore.

While the reasons for declining church attendance are complex and multifaceted, religious institutions will need to continue to evolve and adapt to remain relevant and engaged with their communities. The church is a dynamic body originally, shaped by a strategy of grace as shown in Christ Jesus. So, what if we let Jesus define who we are as a gathered community of faith? People talk of the church as an elitist organization with an exclusive nature that belies its purpose, thus making it a parody of grace instead of the healing agency it was meant to be. Again, sad, but too often true.

As studies continue to show decline in church attendance, we the active church must do the hard, honest work of re-assessing our primary task of being a redeemed and redeeming community that seeks to practice God at work in the world, always under the lordship and example of Jesus Christ. 

So?

Well, the passage paints a picture of what an old sanctuary looked like with the inner and outer court, allowing only the priest to enter the inner court once per year. I guess we shouldn't be too upset with those who attend worship services only once per year😜 Anywho! The church must re-enact the action of Jesus by removing the curtain of separation. It must end the bs elitist mindset that divides people and create a welcoming and inclusive environment that keeps the curtain down. This means prioritizing relationship over religion and focusing on meeting the practical needs of their communities, such as offering support for mental health, addiction recovery, and other challenges that people may be facing. This is more a reflection of Jesus than the demonizing that often characterizes the church community.

                              

The key to encouraging attendance and participation is to create a culture of authenticity, compassion, and service, where people feel valued and supported in their spiritual journey and in their personhood. I was once told that there is no hurt like church hurt. I know this all too well. The same entity that should provide healing and hope, can also be a community of wounders who by their behaviors, attempt to return the curtain that Jesus has removed. Church members must remember and center that it is Jesus who is the only hero of the church. Churches must stop making excuses and own the truth of their harmful actions and work to transform them instead. By living out these values and remaining mindful of Jesus' actions, churches can become the 'redeemed and redeeming fellowship' it was originally designed to be, thus truly becoming thriving communities that draw people and help them to grow in their faith.

So, why do I bother with church? I believe that the church is the primary agency that God is using to redeem the world, and I am hopeful about the difference that by grace, I, and others who are of a similar persuasion, can make through teaching and modeling a more excellent way. See you in the comments!

#churchattendance #churchdecline #hermeneutics