We have so many options today: where to eat, shop, vacation, etc. Often the difficulty is just choosing one. Church attendance is no exception. With modern transportation and our highway system we are no longer limited to the few churches in our own communities. In addition, with radio, television, tapes, and the Internet, we don’t even have to leave our home in order to “have church.”

Or do we? Our experiences have taught us there is something special about gathering with other believers and enjoying the presence of God as we study His Word, pray, worship, and celebrate. Even when we’ve gathered to mourn the loss of a loved one, we experience the benefit of shared sorrow. The benefits of gathering together at a chosen location on a consistent basis cannot be replicated in any of our new “high-tech” methods. Matthew 18:20 has proven itself true when it says, “Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” On occasion we enjoy watching a service on television, but we’ve never sensed the same “presence of God” we enjoy when we gather with our church friends.

When we were first married, we decided we were not going to just attend church. Rather we would be involved in church and be faithful. We often reminisce about an early morning drive to Sunday school one morning when we were expecting our first child and had to pull over to the side of the road for a case of morning-sickness. When it passed, we continued on to church. We didn’t realize at the time we were building a foundation for our marriage and family that would serve us well for years to come.

You see, as we gathered with others at our church, we were blessed to be with folks who loved God and served Him by living out His commands. We learned about their real lives – not just the parts they presented on the television screen, or the words they wrote in a book, or the songs they sang. We saw their whole lives – their joys and struggles, their times of blessing and times of trials. They taught us how to live godly lives and how to raise our children who, in turn, would one day carry on the legacy we were learning to create.

As we meet together with other believers, we also learn how to build biblical relationships. These relationships are the classrooms God uses to teach us how to live out His Word. Relationships don’t always go well, even in church. We are tempted to use that as a reason to not meet together. We may even consider other ways of “having church.” But if we are really honest with ourselves, and if we will allow it, God uses these relationships to teach us valuable lessons about living biblically.

God has been so faithful over the 36 years of our married life. By His mercy and grace, we strive to serve the Lord and follow His direction in our lives. Someone gave us a scripture passage to stand on early in our marriage, Proverbs 3:1-10. Verses 1-2 say, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.” Those verses, as well as many others, have taught us that God’s Word is extremely valuable as our handbook for life.

From His Word we learn that the Body of Christ is made up of many members, yet its many parts are all one. When one member rejoices, we can all rejoice. When one member is burdened down or sick we can rally around that one in prayer and support. We believe that as God’s people receive and obey His Word together, the local church will impact and reach our communities and our world today. We need to assemble ourselves together, even more so as we see the Day of Christ’s return approaching.

Randy and Mary Emrick are members of New Hope Open Bible Church in Brookville, Ohio. They have two children who, along with their families, serve actively in their churches as well. Mary is a secretary at the Eastern Region Open Bible office.