Reasons to Attend Church by Father Al Jenkins

A large part of my life, I’ve tried to determine the good of church – that means going to church, being in church, and membership in church. In my childhood and teenage years I was made to go to church. In my early twenties, I was married and didn’t want to go to church.

What changed me? The road ran out. Happiness ran out. My search for meaning ran out. What remained was what my parents gave me in those days of being in church as a child and teenager. If my parents had not taken me to church, I would have been running on empty.

So, I’ve learned 9 reasons to attend church:

1. Church Teaches Me That Giving Is More Important Than Getting
 

2. Church is Where I Find My Best Friendships


3. Church Teaches Me How to Live With Differences and Commitments


4. Church Teaches Me God is the Audience – Not Me


5. Church Is Where I Connect With God


6. Church Helps Me With the Baggage of My Life


7. Church Is the Place I Discover the Gifts of Others


8. Church Is the Place Where I Can Make A Difference


9. Church Is Where I Am Defined

So, what is the good of church to me? Church enlightens my knowledge, disturbs my complacency, chastens my pride, illuminates my sin, broadens my sympathy, deepens my faith, kindles my devotion, challenges my courage, empowers my discipleship, and gives me a future.

On a trip around the world a man and his wife arrived in Switzerland for a three-day stay. Checking into their hotel in the late afternoon, they decided to eat in the hotel dining room. The evening dinner was excellent, but expensive. When they asked the waiter to add the cost to their room bill, he nodded consent.

To save money, the couple ate most meals out, but never had the fine food like their first evening. Receiving their hotel bill at the end of their stay, they noticed that they had not been charged for that fine dinner.  They learned, to their dismay, that their payment of the advanced reservation included not only their room, but their meals as well. They could have eaten every meal for all three days in the hotel dining room at no cost.

At church, the bills have been paid.

In I Corinthians 2:9, Paul recites from the prophet Isaiah "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him".

Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me.”

What made all the difference to me? Simply, it is this! My mother took me to church and Sunday School and when I was married, my wife invited me to church.

If those two ladies had not cared, I’m not sure where I’d be, what I’d be, or how I’d be.

I want to leave you with this thought – “Someone, somewhere, has a life that will be forever dependent on you inviting them to church.”

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