Why We Worship God Together

“Because that’s where all my friends go.” That was the response given to my friend when she asked her son why he didn’t want to change churches. For him, it wasn’t the preaching or the driving distance from home. It wasn’t the start time or the music style. He chose the place he wanted to worship on Sundays based on where his friends were.
As you might guess, I think the preaching matters, and so do many other factors that impact if and when we get up and “go to church” each week. I think we’re mature enough to know that the main reason we come together in worship is to give God the praise he is due. But if we’re honest, we also admit that we don’t come together on Sunday mornings just for God’s sake. We also gather in his name because we are blessed by worshiping God together. We hope to get something out of it that we can take with us as new understanding or motivation or support. And that’s good.
So, why do you come and worship with the Manchester Church of Christ? There are other churches in town. Some start earlier, some start later, some preachers preach shorter, some preach longer (no rolling your eyes…). There are a myriad of options available. Why do you worship here with us?
During the sermon this morning, we’ll hear from many of our own as they talk about why they love this church and why they decided to become part of this worshiping family of God. I hope their answers will help us consider why we chose this place, and I pray
that this conversation reminds us of the blessing we have to be able to gather together to worship God each week. If we want the church to grow, we first have to continue to grow in our commitment and devotion to it.
— Patrick Barber, preaching minister