Recently in a taxi ride, I discussed the importance of church with the driver. While my driver so happened to be a Christian, he does not attend church as he feels that attending the church is not important.
Maybe he is disappointed with church leadership, or disillusioned with the friendships he made. Nevertheless, I decided to dedicate this post to explain the importance of church (a community of believers).
God has chosen the church to effect his will
"His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord." -- Ephesians 3:10 - 11
Firstly the church is important because God has chosen to made Himself known to the world via the church. Thus to diminish the importance of church is to deny God's will for it.
The community of believers is a pillar of truth
"if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth." -- 1 Timothy 3:15
Secondly, the church provides a structure of support and guidance for believers. As shown above, Apostle Paul writes that in his absence, that Christians should look to the church for instruction.
Conclusion
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
-- John 17: 20 - 23
Ultimately to be in the church is to follow the commands of Jesus. Reading the above carefully, we see that Jesus wanted the believers to be united. And in this way, the whole world will recognise that God loves them.
