To the editor:
I’m resolving to show up for church at every opportunity this new year. “Ninety percent of life is just showing up,” once was a popular saying. There’s truth to it if you add showing up where God wants you to show up.” It’s even recorded in the Bible, God’s people won battles by just showing up (Deuteronomy and 2 Chronicles). It’s more important than ever for all Christians to show up at church. Christians are told not to neglect meeting together — especially as you see the day (return of Jesus) draw near (Hebrews 10). With record hurricanes, earthquakes and cosmic signs we know we are close to the return of Jesus. If you aren’t a Christian don’t delay call 1-888-need-him.
Christians in other countries (Muslim and Communist) often risk their lives to meet together and worship Jesus. We should really appreciate the great gift that Jesus has given us in being part of His body, a community of fellow believers. Worshiping Jesus corporately provides us the unique opportunity to see what Jesus is doing in the lives of His people both locally and globally. Church is the main venue in which to use your spiritual gifts and church involvement is evidence that you are a Christian in the first place.
Christianity isn’t a solitary religion. Jesus said when two or more are gathered together He would be in their midst. Christians need real fellowship and encouragement from one another. The church is to help members bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6) and without the support of a church the burden can be very heavy. A church helps its members to have a positive Christian affect on their culture and without a church most people will be infected by their culture!
Church attendance could even save your marriage and life. Research shows those attending church have a lower divorce rate, have less mental problems and live years longer. Those who went to church on Sunday morning, Dec. 26, 2004 when the worst tsunami in history hit, were saved. Thousands of those who went to the beach instead of church were among the 230,000 that died.
Jesus promises to work in and through His church, which He calls His body (Ephesians 1). William Smith said, “No other organization has the same relationship to Jesus, the saving ministries committed to it by Him or the spiritual authority to exercise on His behalf. That is why meaningful membership is mandatory. Once you’ve found an expression of the true church (where Jesus and the Bible are the highest authority) join it, enthusiastically support its worship and work, welcome its oversight and help maintain its purity and unity. Don’t expect to receive or grow in salvation outside the church.” God gave us no substitutes for His church! So be ready for the return of Jesus by attending and returning to church at every opportunity in 2018!

D. D. Nave
Elizabethton