April 2018 Pastor’s Letter

Why do people go to church?

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Maybe the better question is, why do you attend church? Is it the music? Is it the people you worship with? Is it for the message? Most of us would probably say, all of the above.

Last year, the Gallup poll reported the main reason for attending Church or Other Place of Worship, according to their survey in March of 2017, was for the message, followed by youth programs, outreach and volunteer opportunities.

(If you are interested in the complete survey, check out http://news.gallup.com/poll/208529/sermon-content-appeals-churchgoers.aspx)

For some the church is a place to belong, to experience community, to know that you aren’t alone in the world. Church is a place where there are those who are willing to help when help is needed, and to encourage and be encouraged.

I asked David Childs, who happened to be in my office when I started this letter, why he attends this church. His answer? “For the message, to be part of an important community, for the connections, the hospitality here, the opportunity to serve,” and my favorite part of his reply, “cause I’m a sinner.” Amen.

Why is it important to attend church, according to the Scriptures?

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

Proverbs 1:5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Romans 12:4-5 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

Romans 12:6-8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Ephesians 4:11-12 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:26-27 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Lent has passed. We now celebrate the Season of Easter. Let us remember why we gather together, why we work side-by-side, why we forgive one another, why we share our gifts.

In His Name,
Pastor Sherry