Many people would say they have a personal, genuine relationship with Jesus—and they’re not wrong. They pray. They read the Bible. They worship. They learn.
These are all great things—things a follower of Jesus should be doing! But somewhere along the way, many of us started believing a half-truth: that faith is meant to be lived mostly on our own.
It raises an honest question: If my faith is real, and I can follow Jesus on my own, why do I need to go to church at all?
To answer that, we need to look at how God designed faith to be lived—not just individually, but in community.
What Church Was Created to Be
In the New Testament, church isn’t described as an event or a place you occasionally attend. The Church was—and still is—a group of people who are committed to showing up in each other’s lives and following Jesus together.
The Bible uses a few powerful images to describe the Church:
Each picture depends on connection. Bodies have many parts that work together. Families are comprised of many people. Houses are built with many bricks—not one.
Church was designed to be a space where we grow, care for each other, challenge each other, and live out the love of Jesus. It’s something we participate in, not just something we watch.
What You Miss Out On When You Practice Faith Alone
Praying, worshiping, and reading the Bible are all great things to do at home. These are practices that will help grow your faith and your personal relationship with Jesus. But if your faith is exclusively lived out in private, you miss out on some things God wants for you—gifts he makes available to you that come from community with others. Here are some things you could be depriving yourself of:
1. Accountability
We all have blind spots, habits we excuse, and places we know we need to grow. And the fact is, we can’t monitor and manage our own behavior very effectively all the time.
Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” And Hebrews 10:24 says, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” That kind of encouragement requires relationships. We need other people to keep us sharp and motivate us to live in a way that honors God.
Healthy accountability isn’t shame or pressure. It’s about people who know you well enough to say, “I see what God is doing in you—and I believe there’s more.” We all need that kind of voice, and it can only come from someone we have a personal relationship with.
2. Belonging
Every human being longs to belong—not just to be recognized, but to be seen and known.
In Acts 2, we see believers sharing meals, resources, burdens, and everyday life.
Church wasn’t something they fit into their schedule. It was more than that. It was a spiritual family where everyone had a place.
Belonging takes time. It grows through consistency, shared experiences, and the willingness to be present. It’s difficult to experience that kind of connection without meaningful engagement.
Groups are a great place to engage with others. They connect you with people who share an interest, want to learn about similar things, or are in the same stage of life. To learn more about Groups and find one you can belong in, check out our Group Finder!
3. Care
Life can turn heavy quickly. Illness, grief, job loss, parenting challenges, and strained relationships all find their way into our stories. God never intended for us to carry those things alone.
Galatians 6:2 says, “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” It’s hard to share each other’s burdens when it’s just you. We receive care best from others—things like a meal delivered, a prayer spoken over you, or simply someone sitting with you and being a listening ear. And we give that care best when we have others to give it to!
You may feel like you can figure it out alone right now, but when life gets out of control, it’s community that holds you. The relationships you invest in during steady seasons are often the ones that carry you through the hard ones.
4. Spiritual Formation
Listening to a sermon or a podcast on your own can be a great place to start growing in faith, but that growth can become one-sided. God uses people to stretch us, encourage us, and help us see truth we might miss on our own.
In a healthy church community:
- You’ll hear perspectives that deepen your understanding
- You’ll be challenged in ways you might avoid by yourself
- Others can lovingly point out your blind spots
- You’ll hear how others apply Scripture to their everyday lives
5. Purpose
God has given each person gifts—unique ways we’re wired to bless others. When we stay disconnected, those gifts often go unused. You might even have a gift you’re not aware of because no one has had the opportunity to point it out to you yet.
Serving isn’t about filling a role or meeting a need. It’s about stepping into the purpose God designed you for. There’s something powerful and life-giving about seeing God work through you in the life of someone else—someone who needed your kindness, your prayer, your leadership, or your presence.
What if I Can’t Physically Attend Church?
For some people, gathering in person isn’t always possible. Illness, mobility limitations, caregiving responsibilities, or other life circumstances can make it difficult to be physically present.
But that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to miss out on the benefits of a church community. Attending church online can still be a springboard into greater connection! At LCBC, our Church Online community connects people from all over in Groups, in Serving opportunities, and in community impact.
Ultimately, church is about being part of a body, even if that looks different for you at times. God can use any connections—even virtual ones—to encourage you and help you grow.
You Were Created for Church
Church isn’t something you’re supposed to do just so you can check off a box and say you went. That way of looking at church strips it of the gift it truly is—something God created for your benefit.
Church can be the place where you’re shaped and supported. The place you’re known and cared for. Where you’re challenged to grow. Where your life is used for a purpose bigger than yourself.
If you’ve been following Jesus mostly on your own—or engaging from a distance, maybe it’s time to take another step toward more intentional community. If you’re looking for a community to belong to and explore faith with others, you’re always welcome at LCBC! Choose a location or join us online. Wherever you join us, we’ll be excited to meet you!
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LCBC stands for Lives Changed By Christ. We are one church in multiple locations across Pennsylvania. Find the location closest to you or join us for Church Online. We can’t wait to connect with you!