In the world where individualism is prized and being self-sufficient is praised, one might wonder why we need a church. I can do it all myself. I can pray by myself. I can read my Bible all by myself. I can have church all by myself. Who needs the church?

This might sound great and plausible, but is it? The reality is simply this. We never do anything alone. To be born it takes two. To be raised, some say, it takes a village. No child could survive if simply born and left. We are social beings. At some point, we need the encouragement and support of others.

Graduations went on all over the country last month. Did some of you attend? How would graduation look if no one showed up? Were there parties afterwards? Was the graduate the only one invited? No, we all need the love and support of others and I could name countless other events where groups of people come together to support and lift up one another.

We need to have others praying for us as we pray for them. We need others to share their thoughts on the Holy Scriptures so new insights can be learned. We need the advice of others who have already raised their children and are willing to explain what worked and what didn’t. We need to hear others proclaim their faith and how God sustained them through good times and bad. We need to be encouraged on how to live a humble and righteous life. We all need the church.

As the Apostle Paul writes in Hebrews 9:24 -25, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (NIV)