A group of believers praising during worship service. Photo by Shaun Frankland for Unsplash
Why do Christians have to go to church? What is the core essence of attending church, and what does it mean for new believers? Let's take a look at Scripture.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” Matthew 11:28 says.
Going to church is more than visiting a building or sanctuary. It is a venue where followers of Jesus can connect with one another, feel less lonely and uplift their spirits.
Jesus understands the human experience, acknowledging that life can be hard for many believers. Thus, many often see attending church as a refuge to renew our minds and find comfort among God's people. It is a community that supports one another during challenges that weigh us down such as illness, mental health struggles or spiritual warfare .
The Importance of Fellowship
A woman sitting alone in a church pew. Photo by Polina Sirotina for Pexels
God says in Genesis 2:18, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him."
This passage highlights God’s concern for our well-being and the beauty of companionship and fellowship.
Loneliness is an epidemic that many face today, particularly with the height of remote work and the rise of mental health challenges, especially during the pandemic — 61% of American adults reported feeling lonely, reflecting a 7% increase from 2018, according to the Loneliness Index survey by Cigna.
The early Church gathered together to praise God, share meals and exchange stories as a unified community.
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer,” according to Acts 2:42.
This passage is not just describing a meeting. — it describes what it means to live in community, support one another and worship together. It's much deeper than just showing up.
"Fellowship is a mutual sharing of life in Christ that brings joy and strength to believers," theologian and author, J.I. Packer, said.
Spiritual Accountability and Growth
In Galatians 6:1-2, fellowship provides spiritual accountability and helps believers stay on the path of righteousness.
"Iron sharpens iron," according to Proverbs 27:17.
This proverb illustrates that being surrounded by fellow believers allows Christians to grow in faith and receive correction and guidance.
As Andrew Murray wrote in his book, With Christ in the School of Prayer, "Our love to God is measured by our everyday fellowship with others and the love it displays."
The Church as the Body not the Building
Empty hands cupped together, awaiting communion. Photo by Milada Vigerova for Unsplash
“The Christian Church is not a building, but a body of believers united in Christ,” according to Robert Velarde in an article for Focus on the Family. “Its role is to worship God, nurture and edify and reach out to a suffering world with the saving message of the gospel, as well as the practical compassion and mercy exemplified in Christ.”
While New Testament writers used temple language, they focused on the people of God rather than on a physical building, according to the Bible Project.
Paul reminds the Church in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you?"
In 2 Corinthians 6:16, Paul further asks, "What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God."
In Leviticus 26:12, God promises, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."
"According to the Bible, the Church is the people of God, the assembly and body of Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit," according to Edmund Clowney, American theologian and pastor.
There are various biblical metaphors for the Church, such as the family, the body, the temple, the flock and the nation, which can connect our understanding of "the Church" to God's people (Acts 20:28-29, 1 Corinthians 3:9-17, Matthew 12:49-50).
"Christians sometimes say that the Church is a people, not a place,” Jonathan Leeman, editorial director of 9Marks, wrote in his essay The Church Gathered for the Gospel Coalition. “It's true that a church remains a church even when it's not gathered, just like a basketball team is still a team even when its members aren’t playing together. Still, a church becomes a Church by gathering in a place, and we can only become members by gathering with it."
Fellowship as a Response to Salvation
If salvation is secure, why do we need fellowship? Fellowship is a response to salvation, reflecting our love for God by fulfilling His command to love others, as Jesus highlighted in John 13:34-35.
Attending Church is a significant part of the Christian lifestyle because it fosters spiritual growth and helps believers connect with Christ-like individuals who aid in their spiritual journey.
Fellowship is not just about physically attending church but about engaging in meaningful relationships that nurture our souls, hold us accountable and allow us to serve one another. The Church is not just a building — it is the collective body of believers united in Christ. Having a deeper understanding of fellowship, rather than seeing it as only Sunday church attendance, emphasizes our role within the body of Christ and how our unity can be a beacon of hope to a broken world.
Nicole Marie Valdez is a Filipino journalist and SEO content writer. Her debut poetry collection, Soli Deo Gloria, was published in collaboration with There is Hope PH, a mental health advocacy group. Outside of writing, she enjoys reading, spending time at cafés, watching historical shows and caring for animals.
