The church is one place where God has called the people of God to meet and worship Him. We meet in the assembly of God’s people to bear the burdens of the world and to be a bright witnesses for the gospel. Even in a culturally homogeneous environment, church assemblies are important because they represent God’s love, commitment, and care for one another.
The church is also a place where people can grow spiritually and live out their faith. A church is an environment that is visible, audible, and touchable. It is essential for Christians to be physically together. This is why Jesus told his disciples that his will is done when two or three Christians come together in his name.
Likewise, churches testify to the king, affirming people to become citizens of the kingdom and administering citizenship through ordinances. Jesus promised to be with those who gather and baptize in his name. The church is the ultimate expression of the kingdom. The church is a place where Christ rules and judges.
Christians should attend church on a weekly basis. Though there is no explicit command in the New Testament to gather, God established a seven-day cycle and Old Testament Israel followed the same. This cycle eventually led the New Testament church to cease meeting on Saturdays and gather on Sundays. As a result, Christians have gathered on Sundays for 2000 years.
When the church meets, believers can encourage one another, pray for one another, and build one another up. As believers, we are called to love one another, teach one another, honor one another, and serve one another. We need each other. This is why we need to gather. If we do not gather, we are not truly members of the church.
When church assemblies are held, Christians can preach for conviction. However, such preaching can lead to persecution and opposition. Christians who proclaim Jesus as King of kings can become a target for governmental regimes. As a result, church gatherings can become a focal point of rulers’ ire. But, even when persecution is experienced, Christians continue to proclaim praise to the Lord in their church assemblies.
The church should be diverse. Paul talks about the importance of diversity in the church in Gal 3:28. In fact, Paul mentions the importance of eliminating racial-ethnic and socio-economic barriers in the church. Without diversity in the church, Christians cannot bring the praise God deserves.