Marvin and Donna Woodson - Why I Need Church

Why Do I Need The Church?

Why can't I worship God in the comfort of my home, enjoying the best preaching and music TV has to offer? Why can't I just enjoy being alone out in the woods - just God and I and the pine trees? Why can't I meet God at the water’s edge, wiggling my toes in the warm sand surrounded by thousands of sun worshippers? Do I really need church?

I need church because God’s people are a family. Jesus said, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And He answered that question for us, whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother
(Mark 3:33-35). We are a family, rejoicing with one another, crying with one another, helping each other. We need each other's support.

I need church because it's a classroom. I'm preparing for a mission; I'm on an extended course of study. For the rest of my life I'm enrolled in a course of Christian discipleship. Each week builds on the one before.

I need church because it's a refuge. The church is a place to get away from the busyness of the world. It's a mini-retreat. It's a place to focus my thoughts on things above, to worship.

I need church because church attendance is like a billboard. As my neighbors see me go down to the church building every week, they can tell what is important in my life. If all my brothers and sisters are there too, the neighbors may wonder what is going on that attracts people so regularly.

I need church because it's a memorial service. Imagine that I had been in a war and one of my buddies threw himself on an enemy hand grenade to save me and it killed him. Suppose I learned there was to be a memorial service for him in my hometown. Would I be there? Of course I would!

And since Jesus died for me, it's to honor Him that I attend His memorial service. It's to honor Him that I remember His death, burial and resurrection by observing the Lord's Table.

I need church because it's a victory celebration. Jesus left an empty tomb. We can celebrate His resurrection together. At least one day a week should be set aside for remembering the Lord’s triumph over death and Satan.

Finally, I need church because it's a time to spend with my Heavenly Father. I'm a child of God. As my Heavenly Father, He's not cold and aloof. He delights in spending time with me, and I want to be with Him. God wants to reveal His plans to me. And I want to get in on the details, to cooperate with Him.

But He's not only My Father; He's our Father; and Christ is not just my Savior; He's your Savior. Jesus said that when two or three are gathered together in His name, He is there (Matthew 18:20), and God has warned us not to forsake gathering with other believers (Hebrews 10:25).

I need church because I'm a part of a family, have lots to learn, and I need to have a retreat. I know what my priorities are. I respect Christ's death and am overjoyed by His resurrection. I want to spend time with my Father and other believers.

That's why I need church! And that is why you need church too!


	Why Do I Need The Church? Why can't I worship God in the comfort of my home, enjoying the best preaching and music TV has to offer? Why can't I just enjoy being alone out in the woods - just God and I and the pine trees? Why can't I meet God at the water’s edge, wiggling my toes in the warm sand surrounded by thousands of sun worshippers? Do I really need church? I need church because God’s people are a family. Jesus said, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And He answered that question for us, whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother (Mark 3:33-35). We are a family, rejoicing with one another, crying with one another, helping each other. We need each other's support. I need church because it's a classroom. I'm preparing for a mission; I'm on an extended course of study. For the rest of my life I'm enrolled in a course of Christian discipleship. Each week builds on the one before. I need church because it's a refuge. The church is a place to get away from the busyness of the world. It's a mini-retreat. It's a place to focus my thoughts on things above, to worship. I need church because church attendance is like a billboard. As my neighbors see me go down to the church building every week, they can tell what is important in my life. If all my brothers and sisters are there too, the neighbors may wonder what is going on that attracts people so regularly. I need church because it's a memorial service. Imagine that I had been in a war and one of my buddies threw himself on an enemy hand grenade to save me and it killed him. Suppose I learned there was to be a memorial service for him in my hometown. Would I be there? Of course I would! And since Jesus died for me, it's to honor Him that I attend His memorial service. It's to honor Him that I remember His death, burial and resurrection by observing the Lord's Table. I need church because it's a victory celebration. Jesus left an empty tomb. We can celebrate His resurrection together. At least one day a week should be set aside for remembering the Lord’s triumph over death and Satan. Finally, I need church because it's a time to spend with my Heavenly Father. I'm a child of God. As my Heavenly Father, He's not cold and aloof. He delights in spending time with me, and I want to be with Him. God wants to reveal His plans to me. And I want to get in on the details, to cooperate with Him. But He's not only My Father; He's our Father; and Christ is not just my Savior; He's your Savior. Jesus said that when two or three are gathered together in His name, He is there (Matthew 18:20), and God has warned us not to forsake gathering with other believers (Hebrews 10:25). I need church because I'm a part of a family, have lots to learn, and I need to have a retreat. I know what my priorities are. I respect Christ's death and am overjoyed by His resurrection. I want to spend time with my Father and other believers. That's why I need church! And that is why you need church too!