My Dear Friend,

My not-so-subtle title gives away my theme. Yes, I am saying believers should attend church, and regularly, rather than sit alone at home - in hopes of livestreaming their way to glory.

If candid, any pastor will acknowledge the church he (or she) pastors is not homogeneous: everyone is not in the same spiritual condition. Some are hungry God-seekers committed to doing God's will in their personal life and in the church to which they feel God has called them. Others are mildly interested in Christ and His Word and ways; they gather with their fellow believers most of but not all the time and do not serve regularly. And still others call on Christ and seek the company of their local flock and shepherd only when serious troubles drive them there; and as soon as they get their help, they're gone again.

But there is yet another kind of believer today, the lone sheep. These are genuine Christians who mistakenly imagine it is fine with Christ for them to live and worship apart, without the guiding teaching of a local pastor, the regular counsel of the church's elders, and the daily fellowship of other sheep. And the emergence of livestreaming - which is a good thing for genuine shut-ins - has exacerbated this problem. Upon inquiry, many lone sheep bleat out the excuse, "Well, I attend church online."

But that's a rather strange and inaccurate statement, isn't it? We may view the church's gathering, sermon, and song, but we cannot truly attend. Why? We are not there! We are not gathered and participating with the others who are gathered together unto Him.

This is somewhat reminiscent of the hermit monks who felt, to be holy, they should avoid all contact with the world, and consequently lived in total isolation. This, too, was an illusionary aim, since they depended on other people to live in the world and labor in the world to bring them food - so they could keep living apart from the world! Enough of this, let's move on.

The question that arises next is, why? Why should we gather regularly with other believers? Here are a few reasons.

God's Word sees the church as a body and each believer as a member. Is your physical body unified in constant contact? Or are you dismembered - with all your members detached - and yet thriving? (If so, please email me your address immediately so I may come observe and document this unprecedented wonder!) Obviously, the very concept of a "body" implies connection, oneness, and a vital working together of all the parts.

Numbers, or size, however, are beside the point. In Matthew 18:18-20, Jesus said where as few as two or three gather "in my name," or possessing His nature, He is present. And Jesus' presence immediately validates any assembly as a genuine church. Please don't fuss about their having to be so many people, and elders, etc., before a church is legitimate, or claim that since the Jews required 10 men (a minyan) to start a synagogue we must also. Of course, spiritually mature elders are preferred, and the New Testament norm, but Jesus is giving us the exception.

Here are the facts: no New Testament text dictates how many members must be present for a church to exist. So, join the church the Holy Spirit leads you to join, large or small, young or old, rich or poor.

Churches provide regular spiritual nourishment through the biblical instruction of their pastor and elders. More enrichment comes through the messages and counsels of visiting teachers and ministers. Still further experiential knowledge is gained through the testimony of fellow congregants who share once or twice a week how God is working in them, for them, and through them.

In church we experience corporate worship - a sweet foretaste of our coming, glorious worship with countless believers around God's throne! By rubbing shoulders with other believers with faults and weaknesses exactly like our own (though we think they are worse) we learn to interact humbly, graciously, and with understanding - and at other times to speak the truth in Christ's holy love, warning those who are dangerously flirting with sin or entertaining heresies. And, ah, the new believing friends that we find there, faithful souls whose spiritual fellowship and biblical conversation will bless and strengthen us the rest of our lives!

In church we learn faithfulness by accepting and discharging duties assigned us, large and small. We realize we are responsible to help other individuals who need our knowledge, abilities, or spiritual gifts, and we learn to put their needs before our desires.

In church we may pray one for another, and experience healing, as James 5:14-16 instructs us. Or go to those whom we have offended to ask forgiveness. Or humbly confront those who have offended us so they may confess and our fellowship be restored. Or confess other, more personal faults to our leaders' kindly ears and compassionate hearts and be corrected and restored to a fruitful Christian walk.

As a functioning member of our local church, we may participate in its many ministries: giving to missions; going on missions; taking classes in church-based Bible colleges; giving to the poor; sharing the gospel in our city; helping with addiction recovery programs; participating in intercessory prayer groups; or helping take care of our church's many financial, administrative, and maintenance needs - which ministers to everyone attending and enables the church to continue its reviving worship and vital outreaches.

These things cannot occur while we sit at home on the Lord's Day with our empty living room as our sanctuary, our coffee table as our altar, and our laptop as our pulpit. The Covid-19 crisis changed our nation, but not Christ's plan for His church. It remains clear, intact, and unchangeably outlined in the 27 scrolls of the New Testament.

Succinctly, Christ's plan is that we should live, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is." Rather, we should do the opposite, "Exhorting one another [in our assemblies] and so much the more." And why is this particularly urgent today with the signs of the End Times manifesting everywhere we look with truth-facing eyes and prophetically informed hearts? Christ is coming soon! "As ye see the day [of Christ's coming] approaching" (Hebrews 10:25).

The next question is, where? Where should we go? Or, to what church should we commit? No human can answer that for you. It is a sacred choice made in the inner sanctum of your heart with the aid of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The answer will come as you pray and search. But do so biblically informed.

You'll know you've found the right congregation when you find one that: teaches and obeys God's Word uncompromisingly; seeks His Spirit's guidance with every church decision; worships humbly in Spirit and truth; practices righteousness and holiness - and also forgiveness and reinstatement; knows, and is actively pursuing, its ministry role in the Body of Christ; puts the spiritual before the natural, seeking spiritual growth more than new people or impressive buildings; and has a humble pastor committed "continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word" (Acts 6:4).

And as stated above, the right church for you is the one the all-knowing, all-wise Holy Spirit chooses. Never choose a congregation because of its size, wealth, organization, public favor, flashy worship, reputation among fellow Christians, or where it meets - in a cathedral, steepled structure, school, house, warehouse, barn, or under a large tree. The Spirit knows, He loves you, and He will guide you perfectly, if only you will trust Him and by faith step out of your living room into the worship center He chooses. "As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are [living as] the [true] children of God" (Romans 8:14), and they will never err if they remain faithful to His guidance.

And remember, because He leads you to a particular church, it doesn't mean that congregation and pastor are superior. It means it is the place He wants you to attend, learn, be humbled, grow, mature, and thrive. Leave other Christians and other churches to God - while loving, respecting, worshiping, and ministering alongside them as God gives you opportunities.

"But churches have hypocrites in them, and I can't stand that!" you may object. But aren't there hypocrites outside the church also? At the school, office, retail store, and grocery, but you go there, don't you? And don't you and I, as the Holy Spirit is working with us, have to work through our own streaks of hypocrisy and un-Christlikeness? Then why not share this spiritual growth process (which we call sanctification) with others, so you may have their support and they yours as you traverse the highway to heaven together? And consider this: the only people that are not having to deal with their carnal nature and human frailties are utterly hardened sinners, unborn babies, and cadavers. Objection overruled!

I understand very well I can only offer you the friendly, biblical advice above. You have every right to reject it. But if you receive and act upon it, three blessings are certain. You will be blessed with God's peace, because you know, as He does, that you're obeying His Word. Your presence will bless others in your local congregation - your Christian friends are praying for and eagerly awaiting your arrival. And finally, your obedience will bless Jesus' heart, because you are obeying Him and doing your part to help His earthly body come into the unity He so greatly desires, rather than stubbornly trying to thrive as a lonely, disjointed member of a dysfunctional body.

So, the next time your church is scheduled to gather unto Jesus, gather with them. Wake up, rise up, wash up, dress up (if you wish), stir up (your spirit), and go up - up to the mount of the Lord, your local "Mount Zion."

There, with other committed, remnant believers, fall at Jesus' feet. Worship Him adoringly. Praise Him enthusiastically. Feed on His expounded Words meditatively. Retune your heart to harmonize with His will and plan. Harmonize with your brethren and sisters in singing, living, and serving. Contribute your part to His local body as they contribute their part to His universal body. Be at one with them - every one of them, as far as possible - remembering Jesus prayed we would be one with each other, Him, and the Father . . . before He returns for His bride.

And that rapturous event is fast approaching. So, "Thus saith the Lord . . . go to church!"

Going,

Dr. Greg Hinnant

GREG HINNANT MINISTRIES