The Top Five Reasons I Go to Church
Not everyone goes to church.
When I moved here in late December, I made it my goal for a few weeks to find a new church to attend. I failed. I felt awkward visiting churches where I didn’t know anyone, to the point where I dreaded going (and you should never dread attending church). So, I don’t go to church often. It’s a personal choice–I choose to instead worship daily in my own way.
However, when I’m visiting my parents in my hometown, I do still go to church. I enjoy attending for a number of reasons! Although many Christians will say that church is about what God wants, not enjoying yourself, I beg to differ. I believe that if there is a Divine being, this being wants his creation (us) to be happy and do good in the world. I believe that God wants us to WANT to go to church. Here’s why I enjoy going to my church:
1. It’s a quite time for prayer. Sometimes, the TV, vacuuming, and pets get in the way of prayer and meditation at home. Plus, my mind starts to wander. Did I remember to turn off the over? Do I have any assignments due for work? Should I call Steve (the bf) to see if he wants to do anything tonight? At church, I can focus.
2. There’s a strong sense of community. I know, by name, almost every member of the church where I belong. Some of them have been members their entire lives, and their children, grandchildren, and great grand children are now members as well. We work together when someone has a problem and celebrate together when someone succeeds. My church also has quite a number of social events to continue to build this community.
3. We “share the peace.” There’s a line in our service that invites everyone in the congregation to “share the peace,” which essentially means to shake hands and say hello to everyone else worshiping that Sunday. It’s nice to wish someone well, especially when I’ve been away for a few months. I like to see these old friends.
4. I believe in the power of collective prayer. I know not everyone believe in it, but I believe that God really does hear our prayers, and it makes me feel good to pray for people in the community, country, and world as a group.
5. I enjoy the take-away messages. In the past, our church has struggled to find a pastor. When I was a youth group member (in high school), we were blessed with a great leader, and I still owe my spirituality and closeness to God with this person. However, he moved to be closer to his wife’s work after they had a baby (she was a pastor as well, be for a congregation about an hour away). For a long while, we didn’t have a pastor. Since last summer, we’ve been blessed once again to find an amazing leader for our church, and I truly enjoy her sermons and the message she shares with us every week.
Why do you enjoy church? What could happen at your church for you to enjoy it more? Don’t be afraid to serve on a church council to have your voice heard!
July 19th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Well Allison. I always like to believe that the Big Guy has my back, and would like to start reading the Bible. However, I encourage you to still look for a church in your new place (or if you are moving soonish, that place). Although I also need to practice what I preach, which in MA I haven’t. I only scoot over to the church across the street on Easter (which is a Catholic church… and I am not Catholic). However, when I lived in Virginia for 4 months, my roommate and I ventured out and found the perfect church even for our short stay. It was weird because it was mostly older members or young families, so two college-age adults stuck out like a sore thumb. But it was great because although they instantly were like, “who are you?” they were very welcoming in sharing things about the city as well as inviting us to the church dinners (my favorite obviously). So while it is daunting looking for a new comfortable church, just remember that those people are (hopefully) there for the same 5 reasons you are and I have no doubt that you will fit in.