We've all had those moments. The alarm goes off. It's time to get ready for church, but you don't feel like it. Every reason not to attend church floods your mind. Maybe you're tired, discouraged, or simply going through a spiritual slump.
I've been there and you probably have too. These feelings aren't unusual or necessarily sinful. They're human.
The Biblical Foundation for Church Attendance
Scripture is clear about the importance of gathering together. Hebrews 10 says:
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Someone paraphrased what how this passage contrasts with what Satan would say:
Therefore, brothers, since we don’t have confidence to enter the holy places by our own sacrifices… by the old and dead way, that we have closed through our flesh… and since we don’t have a great priest over the house of God, let us withdraw far away with a false heart, in empty assurance and doubt, with our hearts still dirty, and our bodies defiled with impurity. Let us stop stirring each other up and stop meeting together… and all the more as we dread the day drawing near
Ever feel like that? Satan would love nothing more than to distance us from the God-given means of grace, and that includes corporate worship. That’s one reason why we need to gather together. What Jesus has done is amazing, but we’re so quick to forget it.
Worship gatherings mirror the early church's practices of fellowship, breaking bread, prayer, and apostolic teaching, as outlined in Acts 2:42-47. It also follows the pattern we read about in the rest of the New Testament. God’s people gather together to worship and to practice the many one-another commands of Scripture.
More Than a Command
Gathering is not just a command. It’s an invitation to something life-giving. Church attendance isn't primarily about what we feel; it's about what we need.
I don't know how often I've walked into a church feeling spiritually dry, but as I've walked in the door, somebody greeted and encouraged me, and it encouraged me just a little. Then, as the service started, I heard a call to worship like this one given by Ray Ortlund:
To all who are weary and need rest;
To all who mourn and long for comfort;
To all who feel worthless and wonder if God even cares;
To all who are weak and fail and desire strength;
To all who sin and need a Savior —
This church opens wide her doors with a welcome from Jesus,
the mighty friend of sinners,
the ally of his enemies,
the defender of the indefensible,
the justifier of those who have no excuses left…
As Ortlund says, “I just want people to know, it’s going to be different now. You just walked into grace. We can relax. We can own up. We can be honest. We can face the living God through the blood of Christ and let him speak to us.”
As I’ve heard a call to worship like this, or from Scripture, I’ve often realized there’s hope for someone like me. I’ve been invited into the presence and grace of Jesus.
But then there’s the music, the prayer, the Scripture, and the sermon. All of this is designed to give us the help we need. We need to worship together. We're not meant to live the Christian life on our own; we need the ministry of the local church.
I often feel spiritually lethargic when I come to church, but the ministry nudges me back to Jesus' grace and mercy.
Attending church isn’t just a command; it’s a privilege too. We need it.
Gospel-Centered Reasons to Attend When You Don't Feel Like It
Here are some gospel-centered reasons to attend when you don't feel like it:
- Church attendance is an act of faith, not feeling. When we go despite our emotions, we're exercising spiritual muscles.
- We often receive what we need, not what we want. The sermon that speaks to your heart may be the one you almost missed.
- Your presence encourages others. Someone in your church family needs to see your face today. As Sam Allberry writes, “It is almost impossible to overstate the positive impact we can have on others if we are coming looking for ways in which to be an encouragement.”
- Worship reorients our perspective. Singing truth together can lift our eyes from immediate concerns to eternal realities.
- The church is God's primary means of spiritual formation. We need others to see our blind spots and speak truth in love.
Practical Steps for the Reluctant Churchgoer
Still struggling to attend? Sometimes what we need most isn't the desire but simply to act in spite of our desire. These feelings follow our actions. Just show up and pray that God uses the service to give you what you need.
Here are some practical steps to consider:
- Prepare your heart the night before. Spend time in prayer and Scripture on Saturday evening.
- Have accountability. Tell someone you'll be there, making it harder to back out.
- Consider serving. When others depend on you, motivation often follows commitment.
- Go for 10 minutes. When you don't feel like attending church, promise yourself you'll go for just 10 minutes. If after those minutes you still want to leave, give yourself permission to do so. Most often, once you're there, the hurdle of attendance is overcome, and you'll stay.
- Address legitimate obstacles. If exhaustion is real, adjust your Saturday night schedule. If church feels unwelcoming, talk to leadership or connect with a small group.
If you’re still struggling, perhaps something more is going on. Reluctance often masks deeper concerns like unresolved conflict, theological disagreements, past church hurt, depression or anxiety, or spiritual dryness. If you think one of those is the problem, then be sure to follow up with a trusted pastor, counsellor, or friend. Deal with the issue; it probably won't go away on its own. Don't ignore persistent resistance to church attendance.
Take the Next Small Step
This Sunday, instead of asking if you feel like going to church, try asking what God might have for you at church today. Then show up expectantly, even if reluctantly. Pray that God blesses you as you attend.
After the service, record one takeaway: a word of encouragement, a meaningful connection, or a truth that resonated with you. Over time, these documented blessings can serve as evidence of God's faithfulness through your church community.
Remember, God's grace meets you in your weakness, not your strength. Sometimes the most meaningful worship happens when we simply show up empty-handed and let God meet us in our need.
