Church. . . Why Bother?

Written by Mike Penninga on .

church_why_bother_title_slideHave you ever wondered why we bother with church? Why do we gather on Sundays?  Why do we give of our time, talent and treasures to this thing called church?  What’s the point?  What is the benefit of church? What would we lose if church ceased to exist?

This is the question that is framing our new series that we’re launching May 15th, with that title, “Church. . . Why Bother?” I’m sure you have asked that question.  I know I have through the years.  It’s a crucial question, because how we answer that question will determine the value we place on church, and what our church will inevitably look like.  My prayer is that God will reveal His heart for our church over these next six weeks!

Our website is also going to be an important part of this series because each week for these six weeks, I’m going to be posting one question that I’d love for you to comment on.

Here’s this week’s question. 

  1. What has the church meant to you?
  2. What would be lost if the church ceased to exist?

Please click "comment" below to add your thoughts.  Thanks!

Pastor Mike Penninga 

Comments   

 
+1 # gbond 2011-05-11 22:08
A place of support even if no one knows what the burden is.
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0 # Marianne 2011-05-16 20:59
It wouldn't last long, as we all have something inside us that wants to meet together, to share what God is doing, to encourage each other in our walk of faith. There is something special about worshiping together as one, to the God of our salvation. We would start off in small groups and keep inviting friends to join.
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0 # Ryan 2011-05-16 21:00
Do you mean the buildings? The small groups? Doing music together? Praying together? Christ's Bride (me, you, the other guy)? I agree with Marianne .. Unless you mean Christianity ceased to exist as a whole, it's not possible. Where there is assurance of salvation, worship of God almighty, and a desire to change the world - people will come together.
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0 # Kenny 2011-05-16 21:00
Church is a gathering place to share human emotions. The joy of a new born, the concern about a doctor's prognosis, the hope of a better future. And church is the only place people are encouraged to grow together. In a world that focuses on the individual, church focuses on the Body. It reminds us that we are living in a world that is about more than just us. And gives us hope that we can live today and every day with the help of our Creator.
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0 # Stephanie 2011-05-16 21:01
People would lose the chance to change and have hope. Hope is a powerful thing which can keep people from falling totally into darkness. A person can be so close to giving up but is there is a mustered seed of hope that is a powerful thing.Now if the church ceased to exist it would be harder in some sense to be pointed to Christ yet on the flip side those who do more damage than good in Jesus with no church there might be more room for God to shine though without us getting in the way...Just some thoughts:)
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0 # Daryl 2011-05-16 21:02
If church were to cease to exist, it would be a huge blow to me. Church is not the building, but rather the place where people come together on a regular basis for coperate worship. Like a cord that is not easily broken, as we sing our praises together to a Almighty God, we encourage each other. When we do this as individuals we are no where near as strong in our faith. To hear a pastor led by God give forth the Word, from a different perspective, will if we allow it, to guide the Holy Spirit to cause our hearts to delve into the Word to see and study it more thoroughly to see how we can change our lives to follow that of Christ. Through the pastor's message we should gain something that challanges us to change.
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0 # Michelle 2011-05-16 21:02
Church to me ...is relationships.. ...if there were no church we would have no place to wash our clothes tonight ;) Thank You Lord for neighbors who show us what "church" is :) !
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0 # Leanne 2011-05-16 21:03
I can't imagine life without meaningful, weekly connection with other people walking the road of faith--I'm sure I would forgot who God is, who I am, what I am created to do, and how to remotely come close to doing what I'm created to do!! We need to gather to remember, to teach, to learn, to connect, to serve, to love each other. Our faith is not designed to grow solo--the things God teaches me in my quiet time are affirmed and confirmed by the rest of the Body, the convictions God places on my heart are often placed there through the words of others and then held accountable by those same people--God speaks through His Body! Can't live without God speaking into my life, therefore I could not live without the church!
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0 # Matt 2011-05-16 21:03
Since we as believers are the bride of Christ (aka. The Church), for us not to exist means we (the Church) would be with our Saviour Jesus Christ, leaving this world in a very terrible state. Gods judgement has been unleashed when there is none righteous, case in point Sodom & Gomora. The Church holds the hope of this world, that is Jesus.
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0 # Ron 2011-05-16 21:04
Well said Leanne, we aren't meant to do it on our own. The Jewish culture doesn't think individualistic ally, they thought corporately as a people or a nation. We are called to be the same as Paul says, as a body.
We need each other so that we can do laundry when our doors are to small, right Michelle.
As followers of Jesus we are the church, he is building us!!! Are we demostrating that truth to the world we find ourselves in everyday?
The Church doesn't have a mission, God's mission has a church. - Ed Stetzer
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0 # Lorrie 2011-05-16 21:05
The church will never cease to exist because WE are the church and we have eternal life...!!! Now, if the institutions that house the saints go, that's another story...! :)
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0 # Sandra 2011-05-16 21:05
If you are referring to the church building I think what could be lost would be a place where christ followers could go to worship with others of like mind. A place where we can be a part of a family with other believers. Where we can belong. Where we can be challenged in our faith. I also believe though, that in the absence of a building, some christians would seek out fellow believers and create a different venue for worship and community as this is an important part of christian life. If we didn't seek others out it would be easy to become self focused and complacent in our faith as we need others to spur us on.
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0 # Bob Gibson 2011-05-18 06:46
Since the day I beacme a Christian many years ago in Montreal the church has been consistently as important to me as sleeping or eating or breathing. This did not change as I transitioned from Montreal to Wpg back to Montreal and to Onbtario and to B.C. My spiritual and emotional needs have been met by those who compose the church...whethe r in a large gathering or in a tiny assembly. The mosaic of my experiences over the years bear witness to the fact that church is completely meaningful to me.
IF the church per se ceased to exist in terms of building structure, whether lavish or plain and ceased to exist in terms of hierarchical structure, the world would say "The church is done away with". What a laugh. The church would reemerge as believers found each other and started meeting in homes like in the book of Acts. In other words the church in outward form might disappear but the church triumphant would rise re-energized by the Holy Spirit. How EXCITING would that be!!!!
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