We are in a time of great decline in church attendance. Many say they can serve Jesus -be a Christian – as well without going to church.
So your “churchy” friend (ME) would like to point out a lot that the “isolated” Christian might miss by staying home or watching TV “church.”
Some years back I wrote a manuscript called “My Church, Growing In, Growing Out, and Growing Up.” One chapter was called What Does Church Look Like? It is much too long to use for a blog, so it is posted as a page. Roughly 2500 words but probably worth it for some of you. https://onetahayes.com/what-does-church-look-like-3/
The first part contains scriptures that describe aspects of the New Testament churches as well as words from Jesus and Paul regarding local church bodies with my “commentaries.” The following 12 characteristics are from that study.
TO SUMMARIZE THE PURPOSES for a local church body:
-
A place to praise God (Acts 2:46-47, Heb. 2:12)
-
A place to fellowship (Acts 2:46-47)
-
A place to prophesy leading to Holy Spirit conviction to sinners (I Cor. 14:24,25)
-
A place of prayer (Mat. 21:13)
-
A place to nurture people for Christian ministries and Christian witnessing (Acts 1:8)
-
A place to receive offerings for financing its enterprises. (I Cor. 16:1,2)
-
A place to settle disputes among members. (I Cor. 6:4-6; Mat. 18:15-17)
-
A place to preach the gospel leading to repentance & remission of sins (Mat 28:19,20)
-
A place to edify oneself & each other by manifestation of spiritual gifts (I Cor 14:26)
-
A place to instruct in holy living to prepare a universal glorious church (Eph. 5:25-27)
-
A place to partake of the Lord’s Supper (I Cor. 11:23-30)
-
A place to facilitate baptism in water (time and place not specified in scripture)
As you see almost all of these duties/activities are communal, requiring members to meet together.
*************
Sweet aroma 
Need my churchy friend!! 🥰
I’m around much of the time/. Planning to go to church tonight. I’ve been missing on Wednesday night because I can hardly hear the teacher, BUT I guess my words got to me. I’ll go for the sake of someone else if needed. Do you ever preach to yourself?
All the time 🤓
I’m reminded of the story of the pastor who visited a member who had been absent for some time. As they sat in front of the fireplace, the man gave that argument (“I can be a Christian without going to church.”). The pastor said nothing in response but took the poker, went to the fire, and separated the burning logs. As the fire dwindled and went out, his point was made.
Good lesson. Logs burn brighter with other logs. Even a lion knows to tackle the prey that is by itself from the group.
I love being part of the communion of saints here on earth. It’s the perfect place to do all the work you mention in your post. A body consists of many parts and we all serve a useful purpose.
Ahh. I, too, love Paul’s passage about the church as the parts of the body. Some seem major, some seem minor but all are vital to the best function of the body. Thanks for the comment.
When churches that once met local folks needs still existed in our vast country we all had a local church. This was wonderful. When the time came that all the ‘local’ were closed and one Major was where we were expected to assemble it became more difficult. Needing to travel an hour each way at ‘impossibly difficult times’ caused us to query. Now, His Leading….. Unto Him with worship, Word, breaking of bread and heartfelt remembrance of what He did at Calvary we meet every Sunday. (David and myself). We also are blessed by wonderful services on TV. We travel to join with ‘others’ in town but thank God we have come to appreciate the vastness of God’s Redeemed People not just in the Box we once felt we belonged to.. Parts of the Body how true……never forget that the BODY is universal and not just in your own place. Blessing Oneta. Your life and your comments are always valued. ;
😀 I explained my scriptures as I believe they were meant to be in the NT churches, which were a pattern for our churches as I see it. Many churches do function without parts of the body. They are hampered but God takes up the slack when people sincerely offer their best. I’m sure there are groups who would gratefully love your talents to add to the health of their body. My effort for this blog was to point to the purposes of the local church. Someone else can explain how these scriptures apply to the universal body of Christ.