I believe that regularly church attendance is vital for the Christian's spiritual growth. We know that a Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ. And that Christians are to imitate Jesus. The Bible says that Jesus was about the Father's business (Luke 2:49). Jesus was only twelve years old and doing the will of the Father. The Bible says, "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him" (Luke 2:40.). This means that Jesus grew physically strong, spiritually strong, and mentally strong as a young man. I believe that Christians are to grow spiritually in Christ to the point where they know and experience the grace of God in their lives.

The only way this can happen is to attend church regularly. Look where the Bible say Jesus was found, "And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions" (Luke 2:46). Jesus had been in the temple for three days learning from the highly educated doctors, and asking them questions. I believe their conversation and discussions were about spiritual things. Remember he was about the Father's business. This is my point. How can we as Christians follow Christ, imitate Him, and be about the Father's business if we are not willing to take the time to do the things to grow spiritually. Most Christians that do attend church can't sit for one hour without looking at their watch or getting out of their seat. You cannot, will not, and shall not, be about the Father's business without attending and serving in a local church.

People who say they are Christians but don't put corresponding action with their words, are giving lip service to themselves, and to men. God not only wants you to "Talk the Talk," but He wants you to "Walk the Walk." Christians need to stop rationalizing about not attending church. Your excuse is not good enough for God. David said in Psalms 19:14, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight." If you say you are a Christian then put some action with your words and try to live like a Christian is supposed to live. This is one of the errors of the Christian. Saying one thing but doing another. "Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults" (Psalms 19:12).

Christians don't even know their own faults. Just trust God's word that if you are a Christian, you should be in church. Stop fooling yourself; get in church. There is one thing that we as Christians don't have to pray about or consider, and that is regular church attendance at a local church and serving diligently in it. This is a commandment from God. Some Christians are more diligent in their commitment to their job then they are to their church. They will get to work on time, but are not concerned about getting to church on time. They will pay their car payment, and mortgage payment on time, but are negligent in paying the church it's tithes, and the giving of offerings. It's time for all Christians everywhere to wake up and be about the Father's business. This is part of the Christian's behavior.

If you take care of the Lord's business, He will take care of your business. God loves you so much, and wants to see you in church, that He has promised to place a man or woman in the church to watch over you. "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you" (Hebrews13: 17). God is saying if Christians obey and submit to the pastor(s) and the leadership of the church, that it is profitable to them. This means obeying the Word of God that they preach. This doesn't mean that your pastor is totally responsible for your spiritual growth. The pastor is not responsible for the choices you make. God has allowed each person to live according to his or her free will. The pastor is responsible for preparing and serving you with the Word of God. After he has served you, you have the choice to eat or not. Imagine inviting someone over to your house for dinner.

You cook a wonderful meal, clean the house, and put on a set of your best clothes. You await your guest. They show up but don't eat. Or, they show up late, or not at all. This would hurt you to your heart. Not eating the Word that your pastor has prepared for you is just as damaging and hurtful to your pastor and to God. Your pastor wants to serve you with joy. But if you don't show up to service, show up late, or don't eat when you do get there, its unprofitable for you as a Christian. Christians are commanded by God to study the Bible and other biblical based material on their own. The pastor is there to preach and teach from the Bible what the Christian needs to hear. If Christians obey what they hear from the Word of God, it will be profitable for them. God will give the pastor what you need to hear. This is why Christians should pray for their pastor. Praying that the Word will have free course (2 Thessalonians 3:1), and that God will give them utterance in the Holy Ghost (Ephesians 6:19). Not only do you have a place to go and fellowship with others believers, but you also have someone who is feeding you the word of God. But you must be joined to and serving in a local church to claim and walk in this promise. Christians are to be joined together.