Jesus at his time attended the synagogue regularly in the Sabbath; he was in a way setting examples to the faithful Christians of later generations. And to Christian beliefs, Jesus is the son of God, sin-free when he was incarnated, therefore a perfect being. By doing and following what he had done in life is a way of improving one’s own quantities and also be as faithful as Jesus.
Throughout the history, churches have been considered as sacred structures, they represent God’s places on Earth and a sign of human faith towards God, therefore Cathedrals are very important as they not only show the strength of human faith but also acting as land marks of the civilization. These specially designated places of worship exist since the beginning of the human history; as God existed even before the universe was created. It symbolises God’s ‘real’ existence, physically, they are in a way God on Earth; it reminds Christians of their faith. The church is also an image of the body of Christ, every fraction of it is essential, even the seemingly insignificant parts. The priests employed in them are servants of the God, they doctrines people to be faithful to God, and teach them Christian beliefs. Consequently Christians worshiping in churches would be helped by others, and taught rightfully of what God wishes people to believe.
Christians also have a better physical environment worshipping in the churches, not only that it is a quite and respected place, which allows Christians to concentrate on their prayers, but they could as well be influenced by others that are praying and by the holy, high spirited atmosphere.
Despite these reasons that why Christians should worship in churches, there are also reasons for them to worship in private.
It is being argued that praying is a form of spiritual contact with God, when you close your eyes and pray, you are directed into a world within yourself; in the true prayers, you would not hear or feel what is happening around you, but only among your deepest conscience of spiritually worshiping the God. Therefore, it would seem the same to you at any places, because your mind would always be at one with God.
It is also being encouraged by Jesus, when he said: “When you pray, go to your room.” Matthew 6.
In the churches, priests could be your teachers of faith, but however, you could also be taught by yourself by reading the Bible and learning the Christian prayers and Creeds. And you might have your own interpretation of what is the inner meaning from each of the gospel writers.
Many liturgical services can often become tedious and over familiar, resulting in people worshiping involuntarily, following the priest and the service without actually acknowledging the true meanings of the prayers. Also, the tempo of the services might not match the desired speed of the worshippers, making them feel not being able to concentrate entirely on the prayers.
There is truth on both sides, but I believe that Christians could be faithful to God without going to the churches, but however, their faith might not have been a desirable one and might be often be mislead. On the other hand, it does not mean that attending church would necessarily make you a true Christian. I think that Christians should attend church services as regularly as possible, especially the services which one on his/her own could not perform, such as the Holy Communion. But also, if it is felt that more efficiency would be held by praying in private, then this could also be achieved.
I believe that, if a Christian physically does not have the benefit of a church, then he could still be a true Christian. however if he/she is able to attend church services, but choose not to, then he/she could not be a true Christian, as he/she could not share a Christian fellowship and experience the Holy Communion.
