How many times should I go to church in a week?

When it comes to church, the world sees it from a different perspective. I remember as a kid, folks always said "After all, I wasn't the one that killed Jesus" as an excuse when they don't want to go to church. In my opinion, anyone who makes a statement like that is yet to understand the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for them neither do they understand the true meaning of fellowship. Also, I can't judge their experiences but I can definitely say there's more to fellowship. Today's post is not to explore that phrase, it is to share my scripture-informed opinion about frequency when it comes to church attendance. 

For the purpose of this write-up, we will see the church as Ecclesia, which is the assembling of believers. So this includes fellowship meetings, church services, youth groups, cell groups, a family of believers meeting etc not necessarily official Sunday meetings alone. 

Is going to church once a week okay?

If you want to grow your muscles, do you think one workout session per day will get you your desired results?

Will one meal per week satisfy your physical hunger? Doesn't the average person eat 2 to 4 times a day?

Now let's apply this reasoning to our spiritual life, will once a week make any significant impact in our lives?

Acts 2:46-47 (NKJV)So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added [q]to the church daily those who were being saved.

Let's look at the early church, according to the verse above they met DAILY! If you're a pastor reading this, you may be hyperventilating at the possibility of gathering people together daily to commune together. I feel you, the logistics of that may be difficult. However, that's the beauty in small group meetings frequently, definitely more than once a week. 

This post is not to judge you if you only go to church on Sundays, it is to encourage you that you have the capacity to do more and for you to see the beautiful benefits to frequently communing with fellow believers.

Reasons why you should go to church more frequently

• We interact with a sinful world for long hours every day, taking in their teachings, way of life, words, mannerism and many more. We must be intentional about spending time with fellow believers to correct those things we have imbibed lest it becomes the norm for us. I see the church as a training place, an opportunity to renew our minds from conforming to the patterns of the world as seen in Romans 12:2 (NKJV) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

• You get a lot more opportunities to serve and use your gifts to edify the body. The more you exercise your gift of prophecy, the more you get comfortable with prophesying to people. These gifts that you've received is not to be dormant in you, it's to help everyone else around you. 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NKJV) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all

• You can build intentional relationships the more you see and fellowship with people. Through these frequent meetings, life partners can be met, friendships that will impact your destiny and generations are forged. You are not called to be an island in this new life you've received in Christ, we're all one big family. 1 Corinthians 12:27 (AMPC) Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body, and individually [you are] members of it [each with his own special purpose and function].

• You experience spiritual growth because all the things you learn from the bible and sermons can be put to practice in real-time. If you're struggling from an addiction, the consistent entering of God's word into your heart brings about change within you.

• You receive inspiration regularly. You don't have to go through life alone or wait till the next Sunday before you share your burden with a brother or sister in the faith. The frequent gathering gives us an opportunity to exhort and be exhorted.  Hebrews 10:25 (NKJV) not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

• The devil will know that you're not isolated, this makes his attacks less successful. Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NKJV) Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

These are just a few reasons off the top of my head that encourage me to go to Christian meetings more than once a week. You know that as a member of Christ's body, your connection to it through meetings is very important for you to live and thrive. The times I've seen Christians avoiding frequent meetings, they ended up in danger because they had no one actively looking out for them. 

If you look at the big picture of what God wants His children to accomplish, you will see that frequent meetings are more beneficial to us.

I can't give you a specific number for going to church weekly, that's for you to decide by yourself. But I will encourage you to do more because you've received the capacity in Christ to do more.

Let me know what you think in the comments below.

with love,

Bibi