Dear Bethlehem Friends,

I ran across this article by Thom Ranier that I pray will encourage you to think carefully about the gathered community called the church, and your participation.

He writes: In a culture that minimizes commitment and maximizes self-indulgence, I have learned the precious gift of church attendance or, more specifically, the church gathered. I do not see church attendance as a burden or legalistic commitment. I view it as joy—a place where I can give and serve, a place where I can focus more on others rather than myself.

I could name many, but here are ten reasons I attend church.

1. I attend church to serve others. There is so much greater joy in serving than seeking to be served. I have many opportunities to serve when the church is gathered. Those opportunities are my gifts from God.

2. I attend church to encourage others. We live in a world of incredible digital communication. But there
is still something irreplaceable about gathering together. When I encounter someone in person at church, I
have an opportunity to encourage him or her in person as well.

3. I attend church to encourage my pastor. I doubt many of us know how much our pastors serve us and
love us seven days a week. The least I can do for my pastor is to be there in person when we gather as a
church. I know it encourages my pastor, and I want our pastors to have that gift of encouragement every
week.

4. I attend church to state my priorities. If I am able to go to work, to go to school, to go on vacation, or to watch or be involved in a sport, I can attend church. I desire to have a “no excuse” clause in my life for
attending church.

5. I attend church to participate in worship. There is something special and Spirit-filled about
worshipping together with other Christians. It is both an opportunity and gift I do not take lightly.

6. I attend church even if it doesn’t meet all my needs. If I say, “I am not getting fed spiritually,” it likely means I am not hungry spiritually. If my church does some things a bit differently than my preferences, I
realize I am there, not as a consumer, but as a giver and one who has been called to put others’ needs before
my own. No church is perfect. No worship style is perfect. No pastor is perfect. And neither am I.

7. I attend church with frequency, not on occasion. It is my prayer to be in my church every Sunday.
When I am out of town, I can find another church to attend. I pray I will never say, “I need a break from
church.” I certainly don’t want God to take a break from me.

8. I attend church to set an example for my family. Couples have healthier marriages when they attend
church. Children grow up with countless benefits because their parents took them to church. I need to show
the importance and priority of church attendance to those I love.

9. I attend church because the Bible tells me to do so. Two-thirds of the New Testament is about
churches, specifically gathered churches. The words of the writer of Hebrews in 10:24-25 are powerful: “And
let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together as some
are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and more as you see the day approaching.”

10. I attend church because I love my church. I love my church. I love my pastor. I love the members of my church. I love the community my church serves. If I love someone, I will be there for them. I truly love my church.

It is becoming increasingly common to see church attendance as just another activity, an option among many, a place to get consumer preferences met, or an occasional gathering to hide in anonymity.

It has become increasingly popular for some to argue that church attendance is not a high priority because the building is not a church, the people are. But those people are supposed to gather. Indeed, they are commanded to gather.

I love to attend church. I attend church for these reasons and many more. I thank God for my church.

Better Disciples, More Disciples, Yours in Christ’s love,

Pastor Roger