Why do people attend church?
Introduction. This question does not call for a book, chapter, and verse answer. In fact, we must be careful in attempting to provide an answer because we do not always know why people attend.
Some attend to worship God and learn the truth. God requires attendance and membership in a faithful local church (Heb. 10: 24-26, Eph. 5: 19, etc.). Christians assemble on the Lord's Day to break bread, sing praises, hear preaching, pray, and give of their means (Acts 20: 7; Eph. 5: 19; 2 Tim. 4: 2 ff; Acts 4: 31; 1 Cor. 16: 1, 2). Attendance is a wonderful privilege experienced in America, it is sad that so many are not availing themselves of this opportunity.
Some attend to seek a family, find what they want, and some are seeking money. Just as there are good and pure reasons for attending, some no doubt attend out of impure reasons. It is good to want to belong to a local church, such as is revealed in the New Testament (Eph. 4). However, even this should not be the primary motivation for attendance. Some shop churches until they find what they want (they do not care about what the Lord wants). Alas, there are people who attend only to use the church as a means to monetary gain (cp. John 6: 26, 27).
Some attend to seek an experience, for social advantage, and some do not know why they attend. Becoming and remaining a Christian is an experience, in a sense, but some look for some totally "better felt than told" experience (cp. John 6: 44, 45). Some attend to establish their business connections, and some do not know why they are even there.
Conclusion. As mentioned, attendance is not only commanded, it is a great freedom we enjoy in America. The Psalmist said, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord" (Ps. 122: 1). Beloved, why do you attend?
Some attend to worship God and learn the truth. God requires attendance and membership in a faithful local church (Heb. 10: 24-26, Eph. 5: 19, etc.). Christians assemble on the Lord's Day to break bread, sing praises, hear preaching, pray, and give of their means (Acts 20: 7; Eph. 5: 19; 2 Tim. 4: 2 ff; Acts 4: 31; 1 Cor. 16: 1, 2). Attendance is a wonderful privilege experienced in America, it is sad that so many are not availing themselves of this opportunity.
Some attend to seek a family, find what they want, and some are seeking money. Just as there are good and pure reasons for attending, some no doubt attend out of impure reasons. It is good to want to belong to a local church, such as is revealed in the New Testament (Eph. 4). However, even this should not be the primary motivation for attendance. Some shop churches until they find what they want (they do not care about what the Lord wants). Alas, there are people who attend only to use the church as a means to monetary gain (cp. John 6: 26, 27).
Some attend to seek an experience, for social advantage, and some do not know why they attend. Becoming and remaining a Christian is an experience, in a sense, but some look for some totally "better felt than told" experience (cp. John 6: 44, 45). Some attend to establish their business connections, and some do not know why they are even there.
Conclusion. As mentioned, attendance is not only commanded, it is a great freedom we enjoy in America. The Psalmist said, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord" (Ps. 122: 1). Beloved, why do you attend?