You don’t have to go to church to get to Heaven… but in order to grow in your faith, you really do need a Christian community. While the most important thing is that you have a personal relationship with the Lord, being a part of a Church family is a close second.
Why is that?
When you become a Christian, you’re adopted as a child of God…and that means, you now have a whole new family! A family that is there to help you grow spiritually, to be with you when you’re hurting, to teach you new things, to celebrate with you over life’s triumphs and to grieve with you over its tragedies. You’ll find a new level of friendship in a church family, one that goes far beyond the sort of acquaintances you have at work and the sort of friendships you make outside of church. It’s called “fellowship,” and it’s a concept that’s worth studying.
The Importance of Fellowship
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
–Acts 2:42
In this verse about the early Christian church, the Greek word translated as “fellowship” is κοινωνίᾳ, which means sharing, communion, intimacy, and joint participation. In fellowship, Christians participate together in a new life. They share the one heart of God, and they experience a deep sense of unity and commitment to one another… a type of community that was, apparently, as uncommon in the first century as it is today.
A Place to Learn, Grow, and Worship
Not only do you find community at church, you also find teaching. Weekly sermons will help you understand what you read in the Bible, and you’ll often find that discussions after church with other believers are a helpful way to dissect the information you’ve just heard. It’s amazing how often a Sunday sermon will relate to what you’re going through right now… and it gives you something to think about all week long.
In addition to the teaching, church gives you a chance to worship together. If you’re new to worship, it might take you a while to get used to the idea. But singing songs of praise together is a blessing that will bring you closer to God and to one another. And, you’ll discover that these songs are a tremendous weapon against discouragement when you face hardship.
Church Doesn’t Just Happen on Sunday
The main church service might happen on a Sunday morning, but that’s not all there is to church. In fact, it’s a small but important part of belonging to a Christian community. Outside of church, there are many opportunities to join in and become part of what the Lord is doing in your community, as well as opportunities to serve one another and dive deeper into learning about the Bible and your faith.
Most churches do some kind of outreach or service projects throughout the year. Gathering as a group and helping at a homeless shelter, or spending an afternoon rebuilding a home damaged by storms, or knitting hats for kids in need… there’s a place for you to use your skills for the good of your community. There’s nothing like working alongside someone when it comes to getting to know one another, and in this way, church communities not only serve their neighbors but also deepen their friendships.
Small groups are the lifeblood of many churches, and for good reason. A small group is a meeting that happens outside of regular Sunday services, often in people’s homes. While it might feel uncomfortable at first, you’ll quickly find that it’s a great way to dive deeper into scripture and grow your faith. You’ll also find that you get to know the men and women in your group well. On Sunday, there’s often no time for questions or to really get to know one another. In a small group, you can ask questions about the sermon or get advice from others… and, there will often be snacks and time to chat after the study.
How Do I Find a Church?
If you’re a new Christian, new in your community, or simply haven’t made it a priority to go to church, now’s the time to find a “church home.” Ask around and see if someone you trust has a good suggestion, or do an internet search by typing your zip code into the “church finder” on the Gospel Coalition’s website and see which Christian churches are nearby. It’s a good idea to take a look at a church’s website before visiting, to get an idea of how to dress, what the church offers (child care? Youth ministries? Bible studies?) and when services start.
Then, visit a different church every week until you find one that seems like a good fit. It might take weeks or months before you really get a feel for a church community, and you’ll get plugged in more quickly if you take the initiative and reach out to others when you visit. Many churches have a “connections” table where you can get more information, and it never hurts to ask the person sitting next to you what they like best about the church.
The key is to keep trying…and don’t give up on becoming part of a Christian community. Family (whether biologically related or not) will always have its ups and downs, but being a connected part of the body of Christ (or the body of believers, both terms that describe the Christian church) is a blessing that will truly transform your faith and your life.