Why I Still Go To Church

Psalm 118:24 – This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Did you ever see the cartoon of the guy who wants to sleep in on Sunday, only to be told he can't stay home? – "Why?" His wife answers, "You're 40 and you're the minister."

People go to church for all kinds of reasons. It takes motivation. What makes you get up in the morning, put on uncomfortable clothes, and make the trip to church? Not many of you can even claim to come because you're the minister. What is it that compels you to come Sunday after Sunday?

My reasons for going to church are rather simple and actually have nothing to do with being the minister. I can count on one hand the number of times that I have missed church in the last three decades (and longer) and half that number was because I was away on church business and found myself in transit.

I've tried to come up with what is my short list which means I got it from a long list – with many items I presume I share in common with all who seek the Christ. Here is why I go to church:

I come to —

Learn to love and be loved
Worship and praise my Creator and my Lord
Find my purpose and place
Discover my values and morals
Express my attitude and gratitude toward life and toward God
Provide a family of faith for my family of origin.

"We live in Christ as in freedom we observe Sunday as the weekly festival of the resurrection, for the worship of our Lord, rest from our work, and the enjoyment of God's world. (Living Faith 8.1.6)

Prayer: Praise be to you, Lord Jesus Christ for this day of joy and resurrection. Give us today new life in your love. Amen.

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