Do I Really Need The Church, Part III

The last couple of days, I've been sharing some reasons for joining a local church.  I've shared some of what Walter Woodbury wrote in his booklet, Why Be A Christian, Why The Church? 

Rick Warren, in his book, Purpose Driven Life, points out several other reasons for church membership that make even more sense to me:

• A church family identifies you as a genuine believer.  I can’t claim to be following Christ if I’m not connected to any specific group of disciples.  When we come together in love as a church family from different backgrounds, race, and social status, it is a powerful witness to the world.  You are not the Body of Christ on your own.  You need others to express that.  Together, not separated, we are His Body.

• A church family moves you out of self-isolation.  The local church is the classroom for learning how to get along in God’s family.  As a participating member, you learn to care about others and share the experiences of others:  “If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it.  Or if one part of our body is honored, all the other parts share in its honor.” (1 Cor 12:26)  Biblical fellowship is being as committed to each other as we are to Jesus Christ.  God expects us to live our lives for each other.  

• A church family helps you develop spiritual muscle.  You will never grow to maturity just by attending worship services and being a passive spectator.  Only participation in the full life of a local church builds spiritual muscle.  “As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” (Eph 4:16b)  We need more than the Bible to grow; we need other believers.  We grow faster and stronger by learning from each other and by being accountable to each other.  When others share what God is teaching them, I learn and grow, too.

 A few more reason next week.  I'd love to hear your comments.