Dear Evergreen family,
Why Church? This question is more important than ever. The past year and a half has forced us all to re-examine our priorities. Where should we spend our time? Where should we place our energy? So, in all the re-shuffling of priorities…why church?
Starting today, I’m planning to try to answer this question over the next several Midweek Messages. Here we go.
Why Church? Reason One: The Numbers.
This is what we might call a no-brainer. The numbers. The numbers tell us that church attendance and involvement is hugely beneficial for us (and others). You just don’t get these kinds of benefits from a multivitamin. Once you start searching, the numbers jump off the page. Just to name a couple, a 2018 Harvard study reported that churchgoers were 18% more likely to report higher happiness, 29% more likely to volunteer in the community, and 33% less likely to use drugs. A 2018 Ohio State University study reported that churchgoers live on average 9.45 years longer than those with no ties to religion! Keep digging, and numbers like these keep popping up.
What do all these numbers mean? Going to church helps people…a lot. It’s as simple as that. Even when we’re not “feeling it,” investing our time and energy in church means cultivating a place of healing that touches a lot of people in very positive ways.
The numbers. It is kind of a dry reason. It may be dry, but it’s undeniably significant. Maybe we’ll get a little more theological next week. The Lord be with you, and I’ll see you at church!
May God bless us all.
Your Fellow Minister in Christ,
Mark
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