Why is church attendance important? “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). Church is not about us, but it’s about glorifying Jesus, strengthening each other, encouraging each other, and having an urgency for others to know that Jesus is enough. Through highs and lows, goods and bads, we are a family. So thankful for how Christ designed it all.

But it’s not just about attendance. It’s about connecting with group of messed up sinners who have been rescued by Jesus.  No, not everyone will always get it right, but we have a Savior that we are pursuing together.

We get in trouble when it comes to church because we come in with a checklist that may or may not be from Scripture.  We live in a consumeristic society and, as such, we look to have our needs (wants) met, and once those needs (wants) aren’t met, we are tempted to look elsewhere.

I shared in staff meeting that it’s not just pastors that need to push through the five-year mark–church members need to as well. Many times, church members come into our churches for different reasons, but most transfer in from other churches. Why did they leave those other churches?  This question, answered honestly, reveals much about our expectations (good or bad) of churches. 

If your church is preaching the Word faithfully authoritatively with the crucified and risen Christ as front and center, observing the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, making the Great Commandment and Great Commission a reality by worship of Christ and the making of disciples, you should stay even if many of your personal preferences aren’t being met. 

We can do more together than we can individually.  Love Jesus. Love the local expression of His bride.