And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25-26 (NKJV)

Have you ever asked someone if they would like to go to church with you?  I know I have.  Sometimes they come, and sometimes they don’t.  I would imagine there are a variety of reasons why some decline the offer.  Some have told me they don’t want to give up their day off, believing they’d be sacrificing fun and family time.  While others just plain don’t want anything to do with the church.  It could be their past childhood experiences, or it could have been a bad experience at some church visit in their adult life as well. In either case, they aren’t interested.

I have actually had a few people decline my offer, but then go on to tell me, “I don’t need to go to church because the church isn’t any particular building, it’s the body of believers.”  I will usually tell them they are absolutely right in making this statement, but then remind them it doesn’t mean we should abstain from meeting together as a body of believers (Heb. 10:25-26).

I have seen many people hear and receive the message of salvation, but they fail to get involved with a good bible-teaching church, or bible study. We can clearly see in the Book of Acts where the early church developed the sound practice of meeting together, studying God’s Word, and sharing their meals together.

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42 (NKJV)

The verses following Acts 2:42 go on to give us great detail about how the believers cared for each other — some even sold their homes and distributed the money wherever there was a need among the body. They were together continually, and they had everything in common (Acts 2:44).  I think the reason the early church had everything in common is that they thought alike.  This only made sense as they shared the same teachings each and every day resulting in their common purpose for living and sharing the Gospel message (Acts. 2:47).  

There is something to be said about finding a good church home providing expositional teaching of the bible — verse by verse —because this is how we are to develop our ideas, our thoughts, our goals, and our attitudes.  God speaks to us through His Word, and we are empowered, strengthened, and equipped to do every work (2Tim. 3:16-17).  It is the power of God to salvation for all who believe (Romans 1:16).

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.2Timothy 3:16 (NIV)

I want to encourage you to seek the Lord in prayer to ask Him to lead you to a church.  I usually point people to a non-denominational Christian Church — preferably one teaching the Bible verse by verse.  It is important to not just get caught up in the emotional but to focus on the solid teaching of the Word.  God’s Word should verify everything the Pastor teaches — anything else is pure speculation and personal opinion and could cause one to stray from the faith (1Tim. 6:20-21). 

Hebrews 10:25 tells us that we should be encouraging each other to attend Church — especially as we see the Day approaching for Jesus’ return.  Attending church might not be a matter of Salvation, but it is a matter of being healthy, being used, and being productive in God’s kingdom.