Five Reasons to Plug into a Good Local Church

Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Perhaps you’ve been told time and time again that you need to be plugged into a church. I know I have. It can be easy to visit a church but not participate in any of the groups or ministries it offers. Sometimes we may feel apprehensive about committing or even overwhelmed with the choices. However, over time these feelings usually wane.

However, there are perhaps many reasons for which it is a good move to be plugged into a local church. But I’ll take a minute or two to share five:

1. Fellowship. Friendly associations, companionship, or comradeship inspire us to reach our goals in Christ. Just spending time with people of like-mindedness can cause the joy of God’s Holy Spirit to be experienced in us. Whether just communicating on a first-time basis, or reconnecting over time, we do good things for our well-being as we remove the focus from ourselves toward others.
2. Accountability. Responsibility, commitment, and dedication to success in Christian living, whether relating to biological family, work colleagues, or fellow church family, all represent taking on the character traits of Jesus as his disciples. This power involves Christian management, leadership, and influence in our lives as well as an obligation of faithfulness, something we learn from God’s word and time spent with other believers at church.
3. Prayer. The act of communing with God corporately; submitting our adoration, requests, and thanksgiving to him. An act of communication with our heavenly Father, where we speak and he speaks back to us through his Bible and his Spirit.
4. Counsel. Wisdom, recommendations, advice, pointers, or enlightenment from knowledgeable Christian leaders on navigating various situations in our lives. These are times of sharing tools and principles we may not know from the Bible or the life experiences of our leaders.
5. Kinship. Relationship bonding, togetherness, affinity, agreement, symmetry, connection, or community. This sounds like fellowship but can actually differ as fellowship can be less formal and with someone you don’t know at all. However, harmony comes with a binding or unity and growth with time spent with others. This is a key element in Christianity most often fostered in a local church relationship.

Of course, there are many local churches from which one may choose and they are normally open and delighted for your visit at any time services are offered. Praying, asking the Lord where He would have you visit, and asking Him to direct your affairs and relationships as He desires are good initial steps to take in selecting a church home. Asking a relative or friend for possible options is another way of finding a local church.

Remember, local churches often differ in style and mission and have great strengths and weaknesses, but have the same goal of making Christ and his gospel known. They may have ministries involving:

The local church consists of normal people with noticeable flaws and imperfections, aiming to become more Christ-like. Some churches you may visit and find they are not a good fit for you or your family, but don’t give up on your search. The Lord will show you His will for your church selection if you desire to know it and are patient in your search.

What are some other reasons you’ve found for joining a local church? Or, what do you appreciate about the local church?