Flat Screen Church or In-Person Church: What is the Real Thing?
May 15, 2020
In light of churches being strictly online for the past two months, the question has been raised, “Is this all we need to be a part of the Church?” For many people in the United States, online, TV church or flat screen church has become the norm. In this period of time, being able to have medium is a huge blessing, but is this really church and what about when churches reopen? What if families do not want to come back (even when it is completely safe)? Will it be good enough for them to simply watch it from their living room, bedroom or anywhere they choose?
The fundamental question is “What is the Church?” The Church is God’s creation and a holy convocation of people who have been redeemed through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, covered by His grace and called out of darkness to His glorious light. The Church is the body of Jesus Christ. Does this body stand alone? Can you be a part of the Church in isolation? I guess the most practical question is, “Why do you attend Church?”
Church attendance is one of those things which fluctuates up and down like Goliath, the big rollercoaster at Six Flags. Now that our society has become so mobile and activities for families every day of the week, especially on the weekends, church attendance has seen dramatic declines over the past 50 years. In fact, reports show that less than 20% of people attend a church service once a week. Sure, the church has done a poor job connecting people and there are things every church could do better to “attract” people to their services, but some where along the way, the church must stop trying to market itself like it is some kind of commodity and call believers to truly recognize the value of what Jesus Christ started in the first place: His Church.
Below is an article by Thom Rainer, President and CEO of LifeWay, who wrote about why he attended church. As disciples of Jesus Christ, God has called us to the body of Christ. The Church is His body and like it to not, the Church meets and as been meeting for over 2,000 years for a reason. Read this article. I hope it enlightens your thinking, challenges you and mobilizes to love and support your church like never before. I know one thing…I LOVE My Church!
In a culture that minimizes commitment and maximizes self-indulgence, I have learned the precious gift of church attendance or, more specifically, the church gathered. I do not see church attendance as a burden or legalistic commitment. I view it as joy—a place where I can give and serve, a place where I can focus more on others rather than myself.
I could name many, but here are ten reasons I attend church.
- I attend church to serve others. There is so much greater joy in serving than seeking to be served. I have many opportunities to serve when the church is gathered. Those opportunities are my gifts from God.
- I attend church to encourage others. We live in a world of incredible digital communication. But there is still something irreplaceable about gathering together. When I encounter someone in person at church, I have an opportunity to encourage him or her in person as well.
- I attend church to encourage my pastor. I doubt many of us know how much our pastors serve us and love us seven days a week. The least I can do for my pastor is to be there in person when we gather as a church. I know it encourages my pastor, and I want our pastors to have that gift of encouragement every week.
- I attend church to state my priorities. If I am able to go to work, to go to school, to go on vacation, or to watch or be involved in a sport, I can attend church. I desire to have a “no excuse” clause in my life for attending church.
- I attend church to participate in worship. There is something special and Spirit-filled about worshipping together with other Christians. It is both an opportunity and gift I do not take lightly.
- I attend church even if it doesn’t meet all my needs. If I say, “I am not getting fed spiritually,” it likely means I am not hungry spiritually. If my church does some things a bit differently than my preferences, I realize I am there, not as a consumer, but as a giver and one who has been called to put others’ needs before my own. No church is perfect. No worship style is perfect. No pastor is perfect. And neither am I.
- I attend church with frequency, not on occasion. It is my prayer to be in my church every Sunday. When I am out of town, I can find another church to attend. I pray I will never say, “I need a break from church.” I certainly don’t want God to take a break from me.
- I attend church to set an example for my family. Couples have healthier marriages when they attend church. Children grow up with countless benefits because their parents took them to church. I need to show the importance and priority of church attendance to those I love.
- I attend church because the Bible tells me to do so. Two-thirds of the New Testament is about churches, specifically gathered churches. The words of the writer of Hebrews in 10:24-25 are powerful: “And let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and more as you see the day approaching.”
- I attend church because I love my church. I love my church. I love my pastor. I love the members of my church. I love the community my church serves. If I love someone, I will be there for them. I truly love my church.
It is becoming increasingly common to see church attendance as just another activity, an option among many, a place to get consumer preferences met, or an occasional gathering to hide in anonymity.
It has become increasingly popular for some to argue that church attendance is not a high priority because the building is not a church, the people are. But those people are supposed to gather. Indeed, they are commanded to gather.
I love to attend church. I attend church for these reasons and many more.
I thank God for my church.
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