3 Reasons Not to Miss Church

Pastor James Leston

Before you judge me, I am kind of addicted to Facebook posts – you know, those posts that have pictures of cats that give those death defying looks that they want to take over the world; I did however come upon a post from a pastor friend of mine that struck home with me, titled 3 Reasons Not To Miss Church.  Each reason is a very true statement. They are:

      1. After the week you’ve had, you need to worship and feel God’s presence.

      2. Someone needs your hug and your smile.

       3. Your presence alone encourages your pastors.

We are a people that needs connection.  I’ve read the statistics how church attendance is down since Covid-19 struck, but I’ve seen the opposite in several of our churches in the Wisconsin Rapids area.  I’m not a person who spends a lot of time analyzing research polls, but I must wonder if the rural church setting is altogether different compared to the urbanized culture.  I can only respond to the community we live in. 

Here at Baker Street Wesleyan Church, I’ve noticed the smiles, handshakes and hugs, the movement of the Holy Spirit and the response by our people coming forward for prayer, baptisms, testimony, and a heart cry for God to come and fill their hearts with the Holy Spirits anointing touch.  All this occurs in the context of community coming together to worship and experience God’s love, and as a people who ‘hunger and thirst after righteousness’ (Matthew 5:6). 

I know there are those who are physically unable to attend church, and when you talk to them, they do miss being with their church family and friends; I’m thankful for streaming services that meet their spiritual needs and God is there with them.  To the others, all I can say is that you’re missing out on something very special – the body of Christ expressing Himself in the healing touch of a smile, hug, handshake only experienced in the context of in-person worship.

I find that the music sung, testimonies given, and the Word of God spoken, all bathed in the anointing of the Holy Spirit is somehow amplified when I am in church with fellow sojourners who worship and adore our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. When you see me Sunday, don’t be surprised that I may give you a smile, hug, or handshake. You never know with me.