The reasons not to attend religious services are numerous. Perhaps you have heard a few of these or maybe even thought them yourself. “The church is filled with hypocrites. I’m too busy; I just don’t have the time. Church is irrelevant to my life. I don’t enjoy church, its boring. God can hear my prayers no matter where I pray them so why should I go to some building?”

In fact, just the other day I was speaking to someone who was hostile to all organized religion. His uncle was a minister who preached heavenly on Sundays but lived hellishly the rest of the week. “I want nothing to do with church” he said, “It’s filled with hypocrites!” No doubt there are some who attend services on the weekend but don’t practice their faith during the week, but should we judge religion by its abuses? All of us have heard horror stories about doctors who butchered patients but would it be fair to judge the entire medical field based upon a few doctors who were unqualified?

Why go to church? The bible is clear that when one becomes a Christian, we have a new relationship with God (1 Corinthians 1:9). But 1 John 1:3 makes it clear that our fellowship is not only with God but also with other Christians. In fact, when the Apostle Paul came into a town where there were no Christians he led people into a relationship with Christ and then he organized them into a church. Why? Why is the church so necessary?

The church is the place where we receive good bible teaching. The church is the place where we can use the gifts God has given us. We find accountability in the church. Hebrews 10:25 says, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.” We must all realize that none of us is an island. We have not been created to journey through life alone. God has made us for relationship; first with Himself and then with other believers. The church is the place where we can find healthy friendships and accountability. In the church we learn to share in the victories and defeats of others, providing strength and being strengthened ourselves. Remember, God did not make us to be alone.

So why should you go to church? To hear the bible explained and applied to your life and form strong friendships with other believers who can help you along the journey.