I was just reading where church membership, attendance, and giving have dropped during the recession. I wasn’t really that surprised about the giving being down as some people have chosen to cut back by reducing or just not giving until economic times get better. But, what surprised me was that attendance and church membership were down. One would think that in these hard times we would lean even more heavily upon the church for spiritual support.

However, in these days people just don’t put much emphasis upon church attendance. There are too many things vying for our attention on Sunday mornings, or if church doesn’t entertain us we just won’t make the effort to attend at all. Somehow we have forgotten what being a church member really means. Or to put it another way, “Why should I go to church at all?” So, I thought I would jot down a few things, if only to refresh our minds on the importance of attending church.

    There is a biblical reason. Attending church helps us remember that Christ is committed to his church. So, we should be committed as well. Ephesians 5:25 says, “Christ loved the church and gave his life for her.”

    There is a practical reason. Attending church shows we can be counted on. Every team has a roster. Every school has an enrollment. Every army has an enlistment. Every church has a membership that identifies those who make up its family. So, we should make every effort to be with family on Sunday mornings.

    There is a theological reason. Attending church gives us an opportunity to honor and glorify God by: experiencing and celebrating His love and the maturing of our faith.

    There is an evangelistic reason. Attending church enables us to offer a warm welcome to those who visit with us from week to week, to develop a servant’s heart, and to regularly support God’s work here on earth.

    There is a spiritual reason. Attending church helps us to support and encourage our walk with Christ.

    There is a protective reason. Attending church places us under the spiritual protection of church leaders through their prayers.

    There is an equipping reason. Attending church allows us to discover, develop, and use our spiritual gifts in ministry.

    There is a maturing reason. Attending church keeps us accoutable to God for our faithfulness

We should all strive to be regular in our church attendance.