The Church is as important and necessary today as it was at its founding. Even more so considering the current cultural climate in which we live. At America’s beginning, 80% of people went to Church. As time went on, 40% of people went to Church, but today only 20% of people go to Church. If Church attendance remains on its current course, it is projected that only 11% of people will go to Church by the year 2050. We desire to be a part of reversing this trend in our own community and city. The local Church is the greatest source of hope and light in a dark world. The ministry of the Church is still needed in order to make an eternal impact in this 21st Century.
Church Is Important Because...
#1 Jesus Founded the Church
Jesus founded the New Testament Church on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 when He poured out the Holy Spirit upon 120 of His disciples gathered in the Upper Room.
#2 Jesus is the Head of the Church
As Christians, we are submitted to the Lordship of Jesus as the Head of the Church. The Bible says Jesus is the “Groom†and the Church is His “Bride.†When we are disconnected from Church, we create a dysfunctional union between ourselves and the Lord. Being connected to the life of the Church creates a harmonious relationship.
#3 Church was Important to Jesus while on Earth
Luke 4:16 says of Jesus, “And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day in His hometown, and stood up to read.†It was the custom of Jesus to be in the synagogue on the Sabbath. He was not only faithful to attend, but also to participate. This verse records that Jesus stood up before the congregation to read scripture. Customs create culture. We create the proper spiritual culture in our homes by making faithful Church attendance and participation our custom.
We all need a Pastor to help lead and guide us in our spiritual walk. This is why God called Pastors to lead the Church. Hebrews 13:17 says that Pastors “watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.†Jesus is the Good Shepherd over the Church and Pastors are the “Under-Shepherds†to help lead and protect His people. Their leadership is critical to our growth and training.
#5 You Need a Church Family
When a person is born again and comes out of the world, he or she needs a place to come into. That place is the Church. God has built believers to fit and function in the Church Body. Jesus said, “I am the Vine and you are the Branches†(John 15:5). We must be connected to other Branches in order to grow and Church is where we make that connection.
#6 The Opportunity to Serve Something Greater than Ourselves
As believers, we are servants of the King and His Kingdom. Serving in the Kingdom starts at the local Church. Church provides us with the opportunity to serve something greater than ourselves and teaches our children to do the same. Servants do not serve for what is in it for them, they serve to meet a need and to bless others. True servants understand that they are not “Church Consumers†but “Church Contributors,†and by serving they flourish in the House of the Lord.
#7 Jesus is Coming Back for the Church
The scripture is emphatic when it states that Jesus will return for His Bride the Church. Just as Noah and his family escaped the destruction of the flood by being in the safety of the ark, we too can escape the wrath that is to come by being safely planted in the Church at the time of the Rapture. This is why the Bible teaches us “not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together as is the manner of some and so much more as you see the Day approaching†(Hebrews 10:25). When we assemble together to worship our Lord, it is a prophetic picture of the Rapture of the Church. The scripture states that in the Rapture, we will be caught up and gathered together to meet the Lord in the air. How can we forsake assembling together at Church knowing this powerful truth?
