I’ve been thinking a lot lately about why the local church matters, and these are some thoughts put into a summary. If you don’t know the WHY behind something, it really doesn’t matter. I truly don’t know where I would be without the local church. The perfect church does not exist, but God works through imperfect people. He has provided people in various churches for years that have helped me love Jesus more.
This is not an exhaustive list, and there’s much more that could be said! And this could look different for different people, depending on what you’re going through and the season of life you are in.
Either way, I pray these words (or even some of them) encourage you. And if you aren’t connected to a church or have questions, feel free to reach out!
1- The local church was God’s idea.
For thousands of years, followers of Jesus around the world have been living life together and worshipping together weekly where they live.
2- We need to hear truth.
When we are part of a local church, we are hearing truth through God’s Word and singing every week. In a world of noise and confusion, we desperately need to hear truth. We don’t need to be entertained, we need truth.
3- The local church provides community.
Followers of Jesus are not meant to live in isolation. When you have community with other followers of Jesus, you grow more, and it gives you hope and encouragement to keep going.
4- The local church helps keep our priorities in order.
We prioritize what we care about. If we say we love Jesus, we must prioritize being with His church. When we are part of a local church, we are constantly reminded of what matters the most, Jesus!
5- We become more like Jesus together.
Because churches are full of broken people (all of us), we become more like Jesus together as we work through challenges and differences with God’s help. You don’t grow when you’re always around people just like you.
6- Life is hard.
Until we see Jesus face to face, life will be hard at times. The local church gives us encouragement to keep going and keep our eyes on Him until one day our faith becomes our sight!
7- The local church gives us a front row seat.
In the local church, we get a front row seat of seeing God work not just in our own lives, but also in the lives of others!
Acts 2:42-47
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Matthew Weaver 
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