Christian Church

Does Christian Church Need Churches
By Glen D. Williams

Christian life in the modern world seems to revolve around local church buildings, called churches. These buildings are so central to Western Christianity that almost all worship, praise, fellowship and prayer services take place in them. Almost all evangelistic activity takes place in churches where "seekers" are invited to meetings. In fact, many who attend church services question the faith of those who claim to be Christian and who live a Christian life in all respects except that they don't go to church. What is the truth? Is church attendance a mere practice of religion or is it necessary to find peace with God?

Big Church Answer:

Denominations and big established churches (say, larger than the average house would hold) will all tell you church is necessary to have the Christian fellowship encouraged in the Bible. In their support, many people have attended church services to find the hope and salvation that Jesus offers. That certainly was my experience. At the age of 13, I had committed a sin for which my father's punishment wasn't enough. One afternoon, it "occurred" to me to visit the local church that evening when the cars arrived. It "happened" to be the first meeting of a week-long evangelistic revival. I went to the alter, accepted Christ and began a journey that eventually led me into the ministry. Let me tell you, for me, the big church changed my life. So I don't find it surprising to hear the big church leaders answer the question by saying, "Yes, churches are absolutely necessary for Christian life." Though I'm not surprised by the answer, it may be a little self-serving. But big churches are joined by a relatively new faction in Christianity, the house church movement.