Why do we go to church?

I was wondering about this lately, after talking with a friend who hasn’t been to a service in almost a year. They hadn’t stopped believing in God. They hadn’t lost their faith. They just didn’t see the point of going to a worship service.

Lots of people feel that one can be spiritual without sitting in a pew. I know I feel closer to God when I’m out in nature than I do in most church buildings. A popular book, So You Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore, by Jake Coleson, deals with some of the many reasons people give up on church, and offers an alternative. You can agree with his viewpoint or not, but he has clearly hit a nerve.

In response to a growing movement away from traditional worship services, many churches are seeking cultural relevance. If your church is anything like ours, you will recognize it in this hilarious video.

Matt, at The Church of No People, first posted it on his blog (which, by the way, I highly recommend). I am unashamedly following his lead, and reposting it here.

“Sunday’s Coming” Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

What does this say about our reasons for attending church? Do we go to be entertained? Fed? To be blessed—or to bless God? Do our services leave room for the Holy Spirit to not only show up, but actually be in charge? What’s your church like? Why do you go to church?