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Why can't we worship God in the comfort of our homes, enjoying the best preaching and music that television has to offer?

Why can't we just enjoy being alone in the woods, with God and the pine trees?

Why can't we meet God at the water's edge, wiggling our toes in the warm sand?

We need church because it's a family reunion. Jesus said, "Who is my family? Those who do my will" (see Mark 3:33, 35). Christians are a family—rejoicing with one another, crying with one another, helping each other. We need each other's support. God warns us not to forsake gathering with other believers (Heb. 10:25).

We need church because it's a classroom. We're preparing for a mission. We're enrolled in a course of Christian discipleship for life.

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

We need church because it's like a billboard. As neighbors watch us go to church week after week, they see what is important to us. They may wonder what is going on that attracts people so regularly.

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

Since Jesus died for us, we honor him by attending church. We remember his death by taking communion.

We need church because it's a victory celebration. Jesus left an empty tomb, and we should celebrate his resurrection together. At least one day a week should be set aside for remembering Jesus' triumph over death and Satan.

Finally, we need church because it's time spent with God. As children, we are loved by the Father; he's not cold and aloof. He delights in spending time with us, and it's good to be with him. God has plans for each of us, and we want to cooperate with him. Jesus said that where two or three are gathered together in his name, he is there (Matt. 18:20).

We need church because we're a part of a family, we have lots to learn, and we need to have a retreat. We know our priorities, we respect Christ's death, and we are overjoyed by his resurrection. And, we want to spend time with our father and other believers.

That's why we need church!

Condensed from the tract "Why Do I Need Church?" 1997 American Tract Society. Used by permission.

On our way to church, we barely missed getting hit by a car that bolted out in front of us, then immediately slowed to turn left into a church parking lot. Shaken but okay, I did notice the car sported license plates with a well-chosen Scripture reference: 2 Cor. 5:8. "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord."

—Barbara Grigg

1998 by the author or Christianity Today International/Today's Christian magazine (formerly Christian Reader).
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