And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. Luke 4:16
Ok, so it was technically the synagogue, but it was still a church since the word church comes from the Greek word ekklesia meaning called out assembly.
Jesus, regularly, faithfully, weekly attended synagogue.
The term Christian means little Jesus. It was originally intended to be a slur, but to call a disciple of Jesus “little Jesus” is actually an honor for them and so the term had the opposite of its intended effect.
If I call myself a follower of Jesus, I would then choose to do what He taught and follow His example. If that example is attending church on a weekly basis, that is what I am to do.
Jesus not only attended church, but He is the cornerstone of the church.
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone Ephesians 2:19, 20
If the Savior I serve is the chief corner stone of an institution, you better believe I am going to be a part of that institution.
Jesus is not only the chief corner stone of the church, but when He died, He died for the church.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; Ephesians 5:25
If the church was something that Jesus Christ gave His life for, it is certainly something that should be a part of my life.
There is a movement away from the local church. Some feel that home Bible studies are the way to go. Others claim that they worship God on their own time in their own way. Some are frustrated because of the corruption that has been seen in some churches. They are usually not dissuaded from participating in educational institutions, workplace environments or even the stock market however. Even among church going people, we are going less. It is reported that fewer than 5% of churches still have a Sunday evening service.
It comes down to what it has always come down to. Man simply does not like an authority over his life even if that authority is God. It is God’s authority that tells us to be faithful to church after all. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25
The people in my church are some of the most loving, sacrificially generous people I have ever known. They love God and they love others and it is seen clearly in the lives they lead. Every week, we show up and love each other, encourage each other, support each other and help each other. We sing together, pray together and are reminded of what the Bible says together. I would not trade the Christian life I have through my local church for anything in the world. It has brought me this far in my walk with God and I won’t take a step without it.
You can be a Christian and not go to church. You just won’t be what you could be if you did.
Joel Stiff's Adventure 