Not everything about being a pastor is fun, but I love being a pastor. I feel called to serve as a pastor. A few weeks ago I leaned over to Martha during one of our worship services and told her: “I was created to do this.”

That’s the way I felt at age 17, and I feel it more today.

While I felt called to preach and pastor, there was an eleven year period when I wasn’t a pastor. I served as a seminary professor, teaching Old Testament and Hebrew. Hebrew is a joy to teach. It’s a beautiful and descriptive language.

I want to tell you what I did about church while I wasn’t a pastor: My family and I attended every Sunday and every Wednesday night. For most of my daughter Anna’s formative years I wasn’t a pastor, but I was a churchman.

Why should you go to church, and why is the church so important?

First, the church belongs to Jesus. He created and established it. He gave to the church the stewardship responsibility for the Gospel message.

Here’s another article about the church that may help you. http://waylonbailey.com/2014/03/17/your-forever-family/

Second, Christ loves the church. He calls it His bride. He gave His life for it. “He made the church holy by the power of his word, and he made it pure by washing it with water. Christ did this, so that he would have a glorious and holy church, without faults or spots or wrinkles or any other flaws” (Ephesians 5:25-27).

Third, the church is the family God created. To be a part of Christ is to be part of His family.  Families that don’t see each other or talk to each other or care for each other aren’t really much of a family.

I need to care for my family, and my family needs to care for me.

Fourth, you should go to church to serve. Jesus gave us His example. He did not come to earth to be served but to serve. We faithfully attend church, give our tithes and offerings, and work hard to serve others and to serve Christ. You can’t neglect the church and do what Christ wants.

Fifth, you and I need to be a part of the church to meet with God. God has spoken through the holy apostles and prophets. He has given us His word. When we worship Him as the body of Christ, He is right there with us. In baptism, in the Lord’s Supper, in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, and in the preaching of His Word, He is present with us.

You cannot neglect the church and please God.

As Easter approaches, this would be a good time to reaffirm your commitment to Christ and to His church.

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