For followers of Jesus, there is no substitute for the church.  Membership and active participation in a local church is a tangible expression of our commitment to Jesus Christ and important for our growth as a disciple.  In the New Testament people who became followers of Jesus were committed to the fellowship of a local church where they joined with other like-hearted individuals to worship and serve the Lord.  Below are some reasons you need a church.

♦  For Spiritual Strength

Living the Christian life without other believers is like a homeless child with no family trying to grow up on the dangerous streets of a large city.  It can be done, but at great risk.  God uses the people and ministries of a church to help us grow spiritually and become mature disciples.

♦  To Express Our Love For God

Gathering with other believers on the Lord's Day is a visible expression of our commitment to and love for Jesus.  It says to our community that Jesus is real and He is the Lord of my life.  The psalmist wrote, "I will declare Your name to my brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You" (Psalm 22:22).

♦  To Fellowship With Other Believers

Followers of Jesus are united as members of His family.  We are brothers and sisters in Christ.  It is sad when earthly families experience broken relationships and have nothing to do with each other.  God is not happy when His children avoid their spiritual family.  In fact Jesus said the world would know we are His disciples by our love for each other (John 13:35).

♦  To Obey God

The Bible tells us to not forsake the "assembling together" of God's family, as "is the habit of some" (Hebrews 10:25).  From the very beginning, God's people have gathered for worship and study of His word (Acts 2:42; 16:13).  Jesus followed that pattern in His life (Mark 1:21) and He expects us to do the same.

♦  To Serve More Effectively

Believers are commanded to use all their resources, including time, talent and money, to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.  While that involves individual service, it also means we combine our efforts with other believers because we can accomplish more together than separately.  Believers also receive training at church that helps them serve more effectively.

♦  To Celebrate God's Presence With Other Believers

Jesus is always with each of us who are His followers.  Thus we can enjoy His presence when we have our personal times of Bible reading and prayer.  Yet there is something unique and special about gathering for prayer, praise, worship and preaching with other followers of Jesus.  Jesus said, "For where two or three have gathered in My name, I am there in their midst" (Matthew 18:20).

♦  For Loving Accountability

Following Jesus is an individual decision and it must be made freely.  That freedom continues after we give our lives to Jesus, as each of us are encouraged to read the Bible, pray, serve and choose the church to which we belong.  However it is important to remember that we have responsibilities to each other as members of God's family and that what we do individually reflects on both the whole family and on Jesus.  That is why we submit to each other in loving accountability under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.