When You Don't Want to go to Church

It’s Sunday morning. The alarm rings loudly while every instinct in you cries out to stay in bed. Saturday was a hard day, and it seems like the best thing you can do for yourself is to have a day of rest. After all, you can watch the sermon online later.

But you should get up and go to church.

Not just because it will be good for you, but because the church needs you.

I was recently struck by something Paul says in Philippians. Writing from prison, uncertain if he will live or die, he speaks with confidence that death will only bring him to be with Jesus, what he desires above all else (Phil 1:23). Death is gain for him. But his death would be a great loss for the Philippians. Therefore, he writes, “Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that, because of my coming to you again, your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound” (Phil 1:25-26).

Paul would rather delay his departure time to be with Jesus so that he can visit the Philippians and strengthen their joy in the faith. He lays aside his preference to pursue what is best for others, modeling his own counsel. “Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others” (Phil 2:4). Instead of his own desires, he pursues their “progress and joy in the faith” so that their “boasting in Christ Jesus may abound.” Paul wanted to visit the church because it was best for them.

I recall one Sunday a few years ago, when I spoke with a mom after the service. She had recently given birth, and with other young kids as well, just getting to church was difficult. She didn’t get much out of the service because her newborn needed her attention. Rightly so.

As she spoke about being discouraged, an older woman rushed over to her with a big smile. She proclaimed how happy she was to see her and how seeing her with the church, knowing the challenges of being a new mom, was enough to cause her to praise God with joy.

The church needs you. The Church is not something you attend, but a body you belong to (1 Cor 12). Every part of the body is necessary. Sam Allberry says, “There is no one who is a spare part, a third foot or second nose. There is no one who is not necessary, or who doesn’t need the rest of their church. That includes you… You can make a real, lasting, eternally significant difference by being a part of your church. Your church is vital to you, and you are vital to your church.”

Even if all you can do is show up, your presence encourages someone else.

Next time everything in you says it’s better to stay home, remind yourself that the church needs you.