Q:My friend wanted me to submit his question... How important is weekly attendance in church? He prays everyday, talks to Jesus everyday, but he feels like church is not necessary, in fact it is just not him. What should I tell him to help him realize that church is very important?

A:It's great to hear that your friend prays everyday. A vibrant prayer life is a part of God's will for all of us (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Regarding "church not being necessary" it might be helpful to understand what church is. The word translated "church" in the English Bible is ekklesia, taken from the Greek words kaleo (meaning to call), with the prefix ek (meaning out). Thus, the English word "church" means "the called out ones." Who are those that are "called out" - those who have been brought to a faith relationship with Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:13-14). From God's perspective, people who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ are the church, not a building.

The above being true, the statement that "church is just not me" is not a valid statement. A reality for anyone who calls Jesus Christ their Savior is that they are a part of the church. In fact, 1 Corinthians describes those who follow Christ as "the body of Christ", with each part needing the others. 1 Corinthians 12:12, 21, and 27 says: 12. The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ... 21. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!"... 27. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

So as believers (the church or the body of Christ), is connection for weekly worship important? We might consider how important it is for a body part to remain connected to our bodies. If a part is severed, how long will it remain alive and healthy - not very long. Connection means life. Connection means the ability to do and be what God created the body part for.

The same is true with us. Maintaining connected to others in the church is vitally important for our lives (Acts 2:46; Hebrews 10:25). To use a few other illustrations, if we think of barbequing... a charcoal briquette burns hot when connected to the other briquettes, but grows cold and when separated from the pile. Thinking of the animal kingdom... the animal that disconnects from the pack is the one that is more likely to be preyed upon by predatory animals. To connect these illustrations to our faith life: as people need God, Christ followers also need other Christ followers.

Weekly worship provides the Christ follower the opportunity to strengthen his/her existing connection with others who are also a part of the church, while also enabling the person to become more attuned to Christ who loves us and wants to lead us in the days ahead.