In my previous article, I argued that a person does not have to go to church in order to become a Christian, but that Christians will, in fact, go to church. The fact that church membership is assumed of all Christians in the New Testament – and the love that the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit produces – compels me to believe that true Christians will desire to be involved with a local church. This time, I want to look at the relationship between church attendance and spiritual growth.
Let me begin with a disclaimer. When I speak of church membership or church attendance, I’m not talking about those who are members in name only, who do not attend or support their church. Also, I am not talking about those members who attend out of habit, to fulfill a perceived obligation, or for business or social advantages.
Isaiah prophesies against such people claiming that while they pay lip service, their hearts are far from God and their reverence consists of tradition learned by rote (Isaiah 29:13).
One of the purposes and responsibilities of the church is to help nurture believers in Christlikeness. The process of sanctification is what we understand as spiritual growth. The apostle Paul has much to say about the church’s role in spiritual growth. In fact, he writes that God gave the church apostles, prophets, evangelists and pastor-teachers for the “equipping of the saints – to the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-13).
In Colossians 1:28, Paul states his goal in ministry: “to present every man complete in Christ.” God gave the church structure and ordained leadership positions in order to help foster practical holiness (by the power of the Holy Spirit) in those who follow after Jesus.
Pastors and other church leaders play an important part in this process, but not the only part. Later in Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae, he instructs the members of the church to teach and admonish “one another with psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col. 4:16).
It’s clear that when Christians join together to worship the Lord in spirit and truth, something very profound is taking place. God is being praised, and believers are encouraging one another in Christlikeness. Passively watching the television preacher cannot replace the active involvement that Paul speaks of in this letter.
Finally, Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth places much focus on spiritual gifts and service.
Next time, we’ll discuss the relationship between church attendance and serving, but let me close by noting how serving in the church aids spiritual growth.
Paul makes several references to the purpose of spiritual gifts in chapters 12-14. He writes: “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (12:7). Later he says, “Let all things be done for edification” (14:26). The argument Paul makes is that God has gifted Christians differently so that the body of Christ (the church) can function properly. The proper function of the body of Christ leads to spiritual growth, the building up of the believers in Christlikeness.