While the Bible does not say “You must go to church every Sunday,” it clearly teaches that gathering together with other believers is essential to the Christian life. The early church met regularly for worship, teaching, fellowship, and prayer:
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42)
Christians are called to be part of the body of Christ in a visible and local way. Hebrews commands:
“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.” (Hebrews 10:25)
The local church is where believers are taught sound doctrine, encouraged in their faith, and equipped for ministry:
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints…” (Ephesians 4:11–12)
Church is not about a building, it is the gathering of God’s people under the authority of His Word. It includes teaching, corporate worship, the Lord’s Supper, discipline, prayer, and the mutual care of believers:
“Let all things be done for edification.” (1 Corinthians 14:26)
Avoiding church separates a believer from the accountability and encouragement God designed for His people. Even in difficult church situations, we are not excused from the command to assemble. The solution is not isolation, but finding a biblically sound church and faithfully participating in its life.
A lone Christian is like a coal pulled from the fire, it quickly cools. Fellowship with the body is God’s design for growth, perseverance, and witness.
