For 2 years, I wrestled with the idea of going to church regularly. I asked myself: Why should I go? Can’t I have a close relationship with God on my own? It wasn’t until I began to truly experience the power of community and worship in church that I realized the depth of what I had been missing. God desires for us to connect with Him both personally and within a community of believers.
The Bible teaches us that the church is not just a building, but the body of Christ—a gathering of believers who come together to grow, serve, and encourage one another (Ephesians 4:16, NLT). While you can have a personal relationship with God outside of church, there are profound blessings and biblical reasons for joining a local congregation.
But this is just the beginning—God’s Word offers even deeper wisdom on this issue that can transform your perspective.
The Church Is God’s Design for Community
One of the most beautiful aspects of the church is that it is God’s design for a spiritual family. When you become a follower of Jesus, you are not only reconciled to God but also brought into a new family—the body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:12 (NLT), Paul explains that “The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.” This illustrates that every believer plays a vital role in the church.
The early church demonstrated this well. In Acts 2:42 (NLT), it says, “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.” They were deeply committed to learning, growing, and supporting one another. This passage reveals how crucial community is in our spiritual journey.
Without church, we miss out on the strength that comes from being part of a spiritual family. We can encourage each other, pray for one another, and hold each other accountable. Attending church fosters unity, and as Jesus said in Matthew 18:20 (NLT), “For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” There’s something powerful about worshiping and serving God together with others.
Church Is a Place for Spiritual Growth
Another reason to go to church is that it is where spiritual growth is nurtured. In church, we receive teaching and instruction from pastors, teachers, and leaders who are gifted by God to equip the church. Ephesians 4:11-13 (NLT) says, “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.”
The teaching we receive in church helps us grow deeper in our understanding of God’s Word and how to apply it to our lives. Yes, we can study the Bible on our own—and we should—but hearing from those who are called to shepherd the church adds another layer to our spiritual development.
Additionally, church provides opportunities for us to exercise our gifts and serve others. As 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT) reminds us, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” By attending church, we discover and practice our spiritual gifts, which leads to personal growth and helps build up the entire church body.
Worshiping Together Magnifies God’s Presence
Corporate worship is a unique experience that cannot be replicated in solitude. When we gather with fellow believers to worship God through song, prayer, and the preaching of the Word, we join in a collective expression of faith that has incredible power. Psalm 22:3 (NLT) tells us, “Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.” There’s something special about worshiping God together—His presence is magnified among us.
In my own life, I’ve experienced moments during corporate worship where I felt God’s presence in ways that I never could have alone. It’s not that God’s presence isn’t with us individually; rather, there’s a different kind of encounter when we worship together as a community. The unity in spirit and purpose brings us closer to Him and strengthens our bond with one another.
Furthermore, worship in the church isn’t just about music. It’s about being part of something bigger than ourselves—participating in the body of Christ as we all lift our hearts toward God. Hebrews 10:25 (NLT) encourages us, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Being part of the church helps us stay focused on God and reminds us that we are not walking this journey of faith alone.
The Church Provides Accountability and Support
In our walk with God, we all face challenges, temptations, and times of spiritual dryness. The church is a place where we can find accountability and support. Galatians 6:2 (NLT) instructs, “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” We are meant to bear one another’s burdens and offer encouragement when life becomes difficult.
When we isolate ourselves from the church, we can easily fall into spiritual stagnation or drift away from God’s truth. On the other hand, when we are part of a church, we have people who care about us, who pray for us, and who can help guide us back to the right path when we stray. James 5:16 (NLT) says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” This kind of accountability and mutual encouragement is vital for spiritual health.
Personally, I’ve found that being part of a church has helped me stay grounded in my faith. When I’ve felt weak or distant from God, my church family has come alongside me, reminding me of God’s promises and encouraging me to stay faithful. That kind of support is hard to find outside of a church community.
You Can Be Close to God Outside Church, but It’s Not the Same
While it’s true that you can have a relationship with God outside of attending church, there are limitations to what you can experience alone. Personal prayer, Bible study, and worship are essential for spiritual growth, but they don’t replace the communal aspects of faith. We are called to live in community with other believers, and church is the place where we can best fulfill that calling.
Being close to God involves both personal and communal elements. Jesus Himself set the example by regularly attending synagogue worship (Luke 4:16, NLT), and He established the church to be a central part of our spiritual lives. It’s not about going to church out of obligation, but rather recognizing the blessings that come from being part of a community that loves God and supports one another.
If you’re struggling with the idea of attending church, I encourage you to pray and ask God to lead you to the right congregation. He desires for you to grow in faith, and the church is one of the primary ways He accomplishes that in our lives.
Conclusion: The Importance of Church in a Believer’s Life
In conclusion, while personal faith is crucial, church plays a unique and irreplaceable role in the life of a believer. It is where we grow, serve, worship, and experience the fullness of Christian community. Attending church allows us to experience God’s presence in powerful ways, receive accountability, and be part of something bigger than ourselves. So yes, you can be close to God without going to church, but by attending, you step into a richer, fuller relationship with Him that involves not just you, but the entire body of Christ.