Who Needs Church?

Hebrews 10:25  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Several years ago, former American prisoners of war were interviewed to determine what methods used by the enemy had been most effective in breaking their spirit. Researchers learned that the prisoners didn't break down from physical deprivation and torture as quickly as they did from solitary confinement or from being frequently moved around and separated from friends. It was further learned that the soldiers drew their greatest strength from the close attachments they had formed to the small military units to which they belonged.

Who needs church? After all, you can worship online now, and many did during COVID. You can worship God out in nature, or in your car, or even at home. You can do any, or all of those things, but it’s not the same thing as worshipping with others in church. When we separate ourselves from others it hurts us.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “The physical presence of other Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer.”

When we go to church a couple of things happen. We feel the joy and strength of the believers around us, but more importantly, we can provide joy and strength to those we are with. Going to church isn’t just about what we receive, it is also about what we give. We really do need each other.

Who needs church? All of us!

Today’s Readings: Isaiah 15-18; Hebrews 10

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