It’s easy to understand people’s eye rolls when we talk about the importance of attending and engaging with a local church community. It sounds so self-serving for a church to say. Of course, a church wants people! If a pastor preaches and no one hears, did he preach at all?
The proliferation of media makes it even easier, with live and recorded preaching available online or on television 24/7, along with thousands of available podcasts. You can’t put a live preacher on 1.8x speed!
At Ascend, we serve our community through various media. We even recently launched the Adding Color podcast for those who want even greater depth from the Sunday sermon (they might be the people who would put the preacher on 0.8x speed). But all our media extensions are meant to enhance, not replace, attending and engaging in the local church community.
We grant that there are practical reasons for a church to desire attendees, but we truthfully care more about what God has to say about it.
In Hebrews, we are encouraged to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” The next thing written is “not neglecting to meet together.”
What this verse drives at is that we need help, support, or maybe even a push in the right direction from time to time. That’s love and good works. The best way to accomplish that encouragement is by gathering together. We see others like us, possibly facing similar circumstances, modeling love and good works. Or, maybe there are younger people in the faith struggling, and we can step up and model love and good works for them. That’s discipleship.
Jesus is the best model for this, of course. The way He loved His disciples—and everyone around Him. The way He accomplished good even when it meant some would hate Him or stop following Him. Jesus did not neglect to meet with others, as Hebrews encourages. He was always connecting with people: His disciples, His family, Jewish leaders, Samaritans—everyone. Even when He stepped away to pray, He was feeding His relationship with the Father.
Connection is not only encouraged in Scripture—it was modeled by Jesus.
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he teaches that Christ has gifted the local church with leaders to help mature and unify believers. That doesn’t mean we all think the same way or agree on everything, but it does mean we all have faith in the same Jesus. When other doctrines, popular books, famous people, or new ideas enter the picture, the church helps protect us from being led astray.
We’ve all seen this happen—messages that sound good on the surface but are rooted in human cunning, craftiness, or deceitful schemes. These can be powerful forces that pull people off the path of following Christ.
The local church is equipped—and is equipping others—for each other’s protection.
When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he described the makeup of the local church. It isn’t made up of people who look, think, and act the same. Instead, it consists of individuals with different talents and gifts, all meant to serve and strengthen the body.
Maybe you have a talent for music and love to worship the Lord. Maybe you enjoy welcoming new people. Perhaps you feel called to teach children, teens, or adults. Or maybe you prefer to work behind the scenes, ensuring everything runs smoothly. Paul teaches that each of these roles is equally honorable and that the variety of gifts within the church exists so we can care for one another. “If one member suffers, all suffer together.”
We are meant to contribute, serve, and uplift each other.
