Gratitude: Church, God's Risky Idea

Today I am thankful for my church.  I’ve been part of some great ones and some not-so-great ones.  I learned things in each one.  Sometimes I learned what was wrong about that particular church and left.  But no matter where I’ve been, I’ve made strong relationships with people there. The one I attend now, Reidland Church of Christ, is a winner.  The people there love Jesus, are filled with grace and compassion, and keep seeking the Word for truth.  It’s not perfect, but I’m not looking for that.

I’ve been a vocal advocate for “going to church” for decades.  I strongly believe it’s beneficial to the person who goes. I am a case study for a church helping sustain someone struggling with serious anxiety and depression. I also believe we go not just for ourselves or what we get out of it; we go for what we give to the people there, even if it’s just our presence.  That in itself, your presence, is a blessing to so many people, especially older people who live isolated lives and children who need adults in their lives.

Now new research proves that church attendance is not just a good idea:  it’s a pubic health issue. This article summarizes the research that shows church attenders benefit emotionally, mentally, and physically.  Here are some of the specific results (I couldn’t get the chart to copy):

33% reduced risk of death

84% reduced risk of suicide

29% reduced risk of depression

50% reduced risk of divorce

68% reduced risk of “deaths of despair” for women

33% reduced risk of “deaths of despair” for men

33% reduced risk of adolescent illegal drug use

12% reduced risk of adolescent depression

At the end of the article, the authors note this: “A recent survey by the Barna Group found that about a third of ‘practicing Christians’ have stopped joining corporate worship altogether during the pandemic, and this group reported higher levels of anxiety and depression than those still worshiping in some fashion. Something about the communal religious experience seems to matter. Something powerful takes place there, something that enhances health and well-being; and it is something very different than what comes from solitary spirituality. “  

So I thank God for inventing the church.  It was one of His riskier moves, since we mess it up so badly.  If you’ve been burned by a church, look again. Ask God to lead you somewhere. Apparently we need it like crazy.

Painting from Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art