Signora Sheila

“What good is the church?” As pastors we have been asked this question, albeit in different forms. Especially since the pandemic and the lockdowns. And people gave many reasons for giving up on the church. A trend that grew during lockdowns. Even now as lockdowns are easing, some people still find in-person meetings unnecessary.

It always grieves me when people give up on the church, because they often abandon their spiritual walk altogether. And it often starts with the thought, “Is the church really necessary?”

Do we really need church meetings?

There is a growing tendency today to think that in-person meetings are no longer necessary. But what does the Word of God say? Most of us are familiar with Hebrews 10:25 which instructs us not to neglect meeting together. But Proverbs 27:17 is another relevant verse, even though it doesn’t specifically talk about attending church.

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Proverbs 27:17

Much of this proverb deals with friendship. In fact, verse 2 compares friendship to a steel grindstone. Rubbing tools on it sharpens them and makes them fit for use.

In the same way, contact with other people sharpens our character and causes our character flaws stand out. It serves as a catalyst to help us grow and change so that we can become useful tools in God’s hands.

As The Pulpit Commentary says, “Interaction with others influences our manner, appearance, deportment, and character, sharpens our minds, controls our behavior, and brightens our faces.”

We need communion

Lockdowns and social distancing have taught us that separation from others is neither normal nor healthy. Lockdowns have caused mental health problems as well as increased suicides and broken homes. Direct, personal contact has proven essential to our mental, emotional, and social well-being.

So why wouldn’t it be essential to our spiritual lives? True, we can pray and worship God anywhere. And God can speak to us anywhere, anytime, and in many ways.

But the church is more than a place of worship. It’s the body of Christ that comes together to learn and grow in Christ. It’s a fellowship of like-minded people on the same journey. Church also means encouraging and supporting one another. It means helping each other grow.

Face-to-face meetings are essential for spiritual growth

It’s easy to seem Christ-like (even if we aren’t) if we see each other infrequently or only online. But the more time we spend together, the more our character flaws come out. Our pride or selfishness. Our temper or impatience. We say or do things that annoy, hurt, distress, or offend others.

This is one of the reasons we need to meet in person. The Holy Spirit uses these interactions to mold us and make us like Him. It is primarily by being with others that we…

• Learn to forgive
• Cultivate the Fruit of the Spirit
• Learn to serve
• Develop self-denial and humility
• Live out the love of 1 Corinthians 13

More “meetings” took place during the lockdowns than ever before. But these online meetings only highlighted our need for hugs, hands joined in prayer, shoulders to cry on, and the fun and laughter of shared meals. They revealed our need for fellowship, community, and face-to-face contact.

Online meetings can be useful, but they will always be second best. So don’t give up on the church and the in-person meetings. They are one of God’s greatest gifts to His people and great sources of comfort and strength. Life can be hard and discouraging, but we find strength in walking the path together with others.

My cry today is: “Lord, don’t let me drift away from your life-giving presence. Keep my heart close to yours as I enjoy fellowship with You and with my brethren. Help me to always say, “I rejoiced when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

Is that your prayer too?

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”

Psalm 122:1

📷 Image credits: laptop; church; women