Stop going to church?
I know the title sounds strange coming from a pastor. “Stop going to church” may sound like the last thing a preacher ought to say, but let me explain.
I am not suggesting that people should stop attending church. Hebrews 10:25 still says, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.” Faithful church attendance matters. Christians need worship, preaching, fellowship, prayer, encouragement, and accountability.
But there is a difference between simply going to church and truly being the church.
Many people think of church as a place they go, a service they attend, or an event on their weekly schedule. They say, “I went to church Sunday,” and by that they usually mean they were present in a building for a period of time. There is nothing wrong with that phrase, but if we are not careful, we can reduce the church to a location instead of understanding it as a living body of believers.
The church is not merely a building. It is not merely a service time. It is not merely a religious activity. The church is a people, called out by God, redeemed by the blood of Christ, joined together under the authority of Jesus, and sent into the world with the Gospel.
Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, “ I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” The church belongs to Him. Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it. That means the church has a purpose far greater than occupying a pew or checking a religious box.
The early church in Acts 2 gives us a beautiful picture of what the church is supposed to be. Acts 2:42 says, “ And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” They were devoted to the Word of God. They loved one another. They prayed together. They worshiped God. They witnessed to the lost. They did not merely attend something; they functioned as the people of God.
That is what we need to recover.
The church is to be a worshiping people. We gather because Jesus Christ is worthy. Worship is not just about a song service or a Sunday morning routine. Worship is a life surrendered to God. If Christ is not the center, we have missed the point.
The church is to be a Word-filled people. The early believers continued in doctrine. In a world filled with confusion, opinions, and shifting values, the church must stand on the truth of Scripture. We do not need less Bible. We need more Bible in our preaching, our homes, our decisions, and our daily lives.
The church is to be a welcoming people. Fellowship is more than friendly conversation. It is caring for one another, encouraging one another, praying for one another and bearing one another’s burdens. When we come to church, we should not only ask, “Did anyone encourage me?” We should also ask, “Who can I encourage?”
The church is to be a working people. Ministry is not just for the pastor or a few volunteers. Every believer has a place to serve. The church is the body of Christ, and every member matters. Some teach, some sing, some clean, some greet, some give, some pray, some visit and some serve quietly behind the scenes. God sees it all.
The church is to be a witnessing people. The Gospel must not stay inside the church house. Lost people need Jesus. They need to know that Christ died for their sins, was buried, rose again and saves all who come to Him by faith. Every Christian can pray for someone, invite someone, encourage someone and speak a word for Christ.
So yes, in one sense, stop going to church. Stop thinking of church as only something you attend. Stop reducing it to a building, a time slot or a religious habit.
Start being the church. Be the church on Sunday, but also be the church on Monday. Be the church at home, at work, at school, in the neighborhood and in the community.
The church is not just where believers go. By the grace of God, the church is who believers are.
And if we are the church, may God help us live like it.
Jimmy Barrett is a resident of Blackshear and pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Waycross.
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