Why do I need to join a church anyway?


Ephesians 4:12-16 says, "To equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.  Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows, and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."

Join a local church because Christ gave himself for her.

Since Christ loves the church and gave Himself for her, why wouldn't we?  if you love Christ, you will love His church and commit yourself to her well-being.


Ephesians 5:32, “This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.” He’s saying that Christian marriage is designed to be an earthly picture of the relationship between the divine Bridegroom and His bride, the church.

The local church is where you learn practically to love God and love others.


Christians who are not committed to other Christians will not be able to effectively serve the Lord. They won’t learn to grow in love for others.


1 John 4:20, “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.”

You need accountability, just like the rest of us.


Joining a church is much different than joining a service club or voluntary organization. It is submitting to the shepherds of that church, assuming that they are seeking to obey God’s word.


Hebrews 13:17, Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.



Commit to a church so there is a specific place for you to serve the Lord.

Attending a local church to get spiritual food, much as you would go to a restaurant for a meal, is not what the New Testament teaches. God has given you a spiritual gift, which you are to use in serving Him.


1 Pet. 4:10, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Jesus ordained to fulfill His Great Commission thru the local church.

Local churches preach the Word to make disciples. That is the church's job!


Philippians 1:27,  “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.”

We are happy to give you orientation!

If you would like to join our family of faith or if you want to know more about the GBC family please email us at dhuntsman@graceview.org