You Can't Love Christ and Ignore His Church

I’m fascinated by how many people think and act as if being actively committed to their church is a burden. One thing I’ve also noticed is that most people are savvy enough not to openly admit they’re uninterested in their church. In fact, many would say they’re committed. But here’s a simple test to evaluate whether you're genuinely committed to your local body—the church:

How many times a month are you involved in services, events, or the general life of your church?

Now, I understand that church attendance is not a requirement for salvation, but it is a barometer of your commitment to the things of Christ. Most civic or cultural organizations require consistent involvement—often multiple times a month—just to be considered a member. So why is it that many Christians treat church like an afterthought—something we do only if we have time left over? That mindset is completely upside-down from what Scripture teaches.

Statistically, about 20% of the people in the church do 80–90% of the work. The truth is, many in the church are simply consumers. They show up, sit, consume, and contribute little to nothing in return. And when they don’t feel they’re “getting what they need,” they leave with statements like, “We’re just not getting fed, so we’re leaving.”

In most cases, that’s a bold-faced lie. What they really mean is, “We’re not being entertained or catered to enough.” Hebrews 5:12 speaks directly to this issue:

“You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food.”

It’s one thing to be a baby Christian—but if you’ve been in church for decades and are still refusing to serve or contribute in meaningful ways, something is wrong with your faith. Biblical faith is not passive—it produces action, and much of that action plays out in the context of the local church.

Are you actively making disciples? Are you calling people to trust in Christ?

Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

This doesn’t mean you need to be a preacher. It simply means that if you’ve been bought with the blood of Christ, you are called to actively share the gospel with those in your circle of influence. Many other religions are aggressive in their evangelism—yet those religions are rooted in deception, lacking the power to truly transform. In contrast, we have the Gospel of hope, and we serve the God who brings full reconciliation.

If you’re a Christian, you should be calling, pleading, and praying for people to be saved. Matthew 28 doesn’t give any qualifiers. Jesus didn’t say, “Go if…” He said, in essence, “Because I have all authority in heaven and on earth, I’m empowering you to go and make disciples—people who look like Me.”

Imagine what it would look like if followers of Jesus were just as serious—if not more—about the life and mission of the church as they are about civic clubs or social causes. Imagine if our primary focus wasn’t getting people into a club or organization, but building a church that is the centerpiece of our cities and communities. I believe that would reflect the very thing Jesus spoke of in His model prayer: “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

One day, we may be deeply grieved that we didn’t do more to spread Christ-centered truth in our communities. But here’s the good news: we still have time. We can choose today to engage, to take responsibility, and to advance the Kingdom of God through His church—rather than ignore the call.