By Mariam Bello
I wonder if any other place offers the depth of care and connection that the church provides. This is just a reflection on my part, and before you rush to agree or disagree, I invite you to follow through with this piece.
The church is not just a place of worship, it is also a space where one finds purpose and companionship. True happiness is often mistakenly linked to money. Still, in reality, it comes from being part of something greater than oneself, contributing to a meaningful cause, and walking alongside friends who share your values.
Not everyone has the privilege of growing up in a loving family or working in an organization that values them. Some people struggle to find places where their presence is cherished. Yet, the church can often be that refuge, a place where acceptance, belonging, and care are abundant.
Of course, the church is not without its imperfections. Sometimes gossip, jealousy, and misunderstandings arise among members. This is because the church is like a school, with all types of students, all undergoing the process of learning for growth and development. Just as God treats us, we don’t come to Him because we are perfect; we come because we need His grace to perfect us.
Unconditional acceptance
The beauty of the church is its willingness to accept everyone, flaws and all. One of the most significant aspects of the church is its unconditional acceptance. Just as our loving Father accepts us, so He created the church to welcome us with all our defects. As Ephesians 1:6 says, “He has made us accepted in the Beloved.”
The feeling of belonging to the church is unique. There is something profoundly special about being entrusted with responsibilities or being respected for the role you play, regardless of the weight of your bank account. The freedom to express yourself in worship, to pray passionately for your situation, and to find renewed hope is often more refreshing than when you first walk through the church doors. All of these elements create a sense of fulfillment.
Skill acquisition
Beyond spiritual nourishment, the church also imparts practical skills. You can learn content creation, graphic design, photography, and social media management simply by serving in the media department. You gain organizational and leadership skills by coordinating church activities as a leader or developing public speaking abilities through evangelism or leading Bible studies. The church asks only for consistency and a teachable heart to unlock these valuable skills.
Imagine someone in the church, led by the Spirit, who takes your well-being seriously. This is not because of anything you’ve done, but because God has placed you in their heart. They teach you valuable lessons about life, growth, and how to navigate challenges with wisdom. Or think of a pastor, evangelist, or even a fellow church member who checks in on you regularly, prays for you, guides you through Scripture, and invests in your personal growth not because you asked for it but because God has commanded it. This is the essence of discipleship, fulfilling the Great Commission to go into the world and make disciples, and the church serves as a place to make this possible.
Church’s purpose
As Rick Warren eloquently summarizes, God designed the church to meet five core needs, a purpose to live by, people to live with, principles to live by, a profession to live out, and power to live on.
That’s why one of the devil’s strategies is to pull people away from the church. The devil seeks to isolate individuals, encouraging them to focus solely on the flaws in the church and eventually leave a place where they are cared for, corrected when necessary, and worried about. “Go out of the reach of your family (the church) and be free” is a lie.
The devil convinces them to see only the bad in people and focuses on negative precedents about the church like “your tithe is used by pastors to enjoy themselves while you suffer,” “the leaders sexually harass ladies in the church,” or “everyone in the church is a hypocrite; they act good in church but are devils outside”, This person then starts attending church less frequently, becomes comfortable being elsewhere during Sunday service and other weekly meetings, and eventually leaves.
This is why the church must remain steadfast in the model of the early church, as described in Acts 2:46-47, where believers continued “daily with one accord.” The church must never lose sight of its divine purpose: to guide its members toward Christ-likeness and help them grow into the fullness of Christ.
No matter the rumors or criticisms I’ve heard about my church, whether at school or my home church, what remains clear to me is that the church is where I am most loved. It is where people genuinely rejoice in my progress. It is where I find the most joy, where I feel free, and where I discover my purpose.
You can find this same experience in your church. Stay close to God and to those who love Him, and you will spare yourself unnecessary hardships. If your local church doesn’t yet reflect this, be the change you wish to see.