3 Reasons to go to Church

On Sundays, all across America and the rest of the world, people {including myself} venture out of their homes and into a church. Some church services are held in traditional church buildings while many others are held in less traditional venues including schools, movie theaters and homes.  The "where" of church is not important.  The benefit of church attendance is in the gathering together with other people.

As a matter of fact that is what the Greek word that is used in the Bible that is interpreted as church really means- the gathering together of people for a common purpose.  Modern day church is the gathering together of people to worship, pray, study and fellowship.

During these 365 days together I am going to devote our Sundays to talking about church- the good, the bad and the ugly.  I strongly believe that regularly attending a church is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your child(ren).  But I also know that many of you may have had not-so-nice experiences at a church that make you never want to return to any church, at any time.

I'm going to start by giving you three reasons to regularly attend church.  Next week, we will talk about how to find a church that you like and feel comfortable at.

1. You will make friends.  Some of the best friends I've ever had are women I have met at church.  As a teen mom, you probably lost a lot of friendships when you had your baby.  Unless they have a baby too, it can be hard for the friends we grew up with to feel like they have anything in common with us once our baby arrives.  Conversely, you may not have been choosing the best type of people to hang out with before your child arrived and may have needed to distance yourself from your old friends.  Either way, being a teen mom can leave you feeling isolated and alone.  Church is a great way to combat those feelings.  Meeting other moms and other women in a setting like church is non-threatening.  You already have something in common- you both attend the same church.  I encourage you to get involved in mom's groups and women's events at the church you attend.   The Bible says "where two or three are gathered together, I am there with them." What better way to begin a friendship than with God right there too?
2. Church is good for your {emotional and physical}health . Studies have shown that people that regularly attend church experience less stress and rebound from depression 70% faster than people that don't go to church.  Being around positive people, lifting your heart in worship to God and having others pray for you are probably some of the reasons that church is good for you.  Another study showed that people that attend church have a longer life expectancy and less health problems related to stress including high blood pressure and headaches!  We are told in John 14:27  that God gives us peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled..."
3. You will get to know God better. A relationship with God, a true encounter with Jesus- girls, it will change your life.  You may have doubts about whether God even exists.  That's ok.  Don't let it stop you from searching for the answers you want.  Church is the best place to be when you don't know where you and God stand.  Find a church that encourages you to seek answers to the questions you have and points you to where you can find the answers.

There are many more benefits that we will talk about in weeks to come. 

When is the last time you went to church?