12 Vital Reasons Each Of Us Should Be Part Of A Church

Do you really need to be involved in a church?

Can’t believers just worship Jesus on their own? Why do we need to be involved in “organized religion?” It seems like a growing trend that many Christians don’t believe they need to be part of a church. 

Yes, we can and should worship and love Jesus individually. But we should also worship, pursue and love him with others. In fact, it is essential and vital to our spiritual lives and health as believers.

Here are 12 crucial reasons why every Christian should be part of a local church

1. We need to be built together with other believers

Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Eph 2:20-22

2. We need brothers and sisters to encourage, exhort, challenge, and build us up in our faith, and we need to encourage and build up others

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom… Colossians 3:16

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13

3. We need to worship together with others

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly! Psalm 149:1

I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you Psalm 22:22

4. We need to be stirred up by others to love and good deeds

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 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 10:24-25

5. Because Jesus is uniquely present when believers gather together

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:20

6. Because the church grows as believers meet together and use their gifts

From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

7. We need to benefit from the gifts of others and serve others with our gifts

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11

8. We need brothers and sisters to pray for us and they need us to pray for them

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16

9. We need to be taught and fed and equipped by pastors and teachers

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, Ephesians 4:11-12

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. Acts 20:28

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you, not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 1 Peter 5:1-3

10. We need to witness to unbelievers together with others

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. 1 John 3:14

11. We need to love others, bear with the weak, help new believers

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. Romans 15:1-2

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 1 Thessalonians 5:14

12. We need to be part of a church for the sake of our children

Children need the example of their parents and other believers in worship, loving others, listening to God’s word. We may not realize it but our example of commitment to God’s people will speak volumes to them.

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. Psalm 78:4

The primary place parents teach their children is in their own families and homes as they live life together. But it is important that our children see us worshipping with others, serving and loving others, and pursuing teaching and instruction in God’s word.

You need the church and the church needs you! God never intended for us to live the Christian life alone! I need others to care for, encourage, teach, and challenge me, and I need to do the same for my brothers and sisters.

Remember, you are not just a body filling a spot in a pew. Look around. Others need you! You may not feel like you have anything to offer others, but God’s word says that you do. So if you’re not involved in a local church, ask the Lord to guide you and show you where he wants you to be.

Photo by John Price on Unsplash