Church used to be a much higher priority in our society. Most everyone went to church on Sunday mornings. Businesses were closed and nobody worked so that they could spend their Sabbath worshipping the Lord and fellowshipping with other believers. Over time, things changed. Businesses did open on Sunday, which meant people had to work at those businesses. Other things such as sports games and self-care were prioritized over attending church services.
Nowadays, church is no longer deemed “essential.” It is seen as something that is good to be a part of, but it is totally okay and normal if you only make it there fifty percent of the time. According to Ligonier Ministries’ 2018 State of Theology survey, fifty-eight percent of American adults agree with the statement, “Worshiping alone or with one’s family is a valid replacement for regularly attending church.”[1]
Yet, the Bible discusses the church and its importance often in the New Testament. Can worshipping alone, worshipping as a family, or watching an online service really be a replacement for going to church every week?
For Megan Hill, the answer is “no.” In her book, A Place to Belong, she analyzes nine of the ways the church is described in God’s Word so that her readers can-
“…see the church as God sees the church and then… embrace the privilege of being part of it.”[2]
Megan begins by describing the church as loved by God and called together for His purposes. Though we are all different, we are united by Christ, and we are to love one another as Christ loves us. The church gathers together regularly to worship God, receive care, and serve each other with our particular spiritual gifts. We are to seek holiness, not as individuals, but as a family working together towards the common goal of spreading the gospel.
Of course, no church is perfect. Church members are sinful human beings, and they will not always be loving towards others or choose to serve others with their gifts. They will disagree with each other and do things that are not exactly holy. Pastors and elders will fail to lead their congregations well and spread the gospel message. But God still works in and through the church body to sanctify His people and continually make them more and more like Him-
“Christ is even now making his church lovely, and one day it will be absolutely perfect.”[3]
Throughout the book, Megan implores her readers to come. Come, and be a part of the church. Come, and experience the love of God. Come, and live in holiness. Come, and share the gospel.
“Come. This is where you belong.”[4]
Using many Scripture references and her own stories and experiences from being a pastor’s wife, Megan Hill’s book is a great introduction to ecclesiology (the study of the church). It truly gave me a renewed love and appreciation for the church and a longing for the fellowship that comes with it. If you have been wondering whether gathering together at a church is truly necessary and worth it, I hope you will pick up a copy of A Place to Belong and learn to love the local church.
[1] “Data Explorer,” The State of Theology, accessed August 22, 2020, https://thestateoftheology.com/data-explorer/2018/20?AGE=30&MF=14®ION=30&EDUCATION=62&INCOME=254&MARITAL=126ÐNICITY=62&RELTRAD=62&ATTENDANCE=254.
[2] Megan Hill, A Place to Belong: Learning to Love the Local Church (Wheaton: Crossway, 2020), 13.
[3] Ibid., 139.
[4] Ibid., 140.
