I have a personal relationship with God. Why should I go to church?

Canadian geese fly in V formations. The V formations reduce wind resistance and help keep the flock coordinated . As a bird flaps it’s wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following it. By flying in a V formation, a flock may fly over 1500 miles in a day. They follow the same route every year for their entire lives with traditional stopover points along the way. When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back and another goose moves forward. The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. If a goose gets sick, or is wounded by a gunshot, and falls out of the sky, two geese fall out of formation and follow him down to help and protect him. They stay with him until he is either able to fly or until he is dead, and then they launch out on their own or with another formation until they catch up with their group. Canadian Geese mate for life. Each year the females return to the same nesting site to lay their eggs. Family bonds are extremely strong. [ 1 ]  [ 2 ]  Christians also fly a greater distance together than they do alone. This is why God tells us not to forsake the gathering of believers.

Video - Gather, Love, and Act: Bombard the World with Love [ Heb 10:24-25] - Skip Heitzig

Hebrews 10:24-25

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. 

Consider. The invitation must be responded to individually, but the response also has a corporate side. They are members of a community of Hebrews whose initial attraction to Christ is in danger of eroding. They have been considering a return to the Levitical system of Judaism to avoid the persecution. (John 12:42-43).  Mutual encouragement to make a full commitment is crucial. Collective and corporate worship is a vital pat of spiritual life. The Day is referring to the second coming of Christ. There is an eschatological urgency to the encouraging which requires an increased activity as the coming of Christ approaches [ 5 ].  This was written in A.D. 67-69 to the Christians of that day, but also applies to Christians today. In modern times, there is a movement within Christianity to leave the church altogether and gather in homes. Small group bible studies in addition to church membership is beneficial, but shouldn’t replace church. On the other hand, it is possible for small bible studies to grow into megachurches. We can't put God in a box. Those who depart from church membership will use Matthew 18 to support their belief. 

Matthew 18:19-20

“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

There is great power when believers come together with prayer and a vision that aligns with God’s will. However, this is not a verse to replace God’s plan for the church model. Sometimes when Christians get their feathers ruffled, or are rebuked, or get a glimpse of the sinful nature in others, or don’t feel they are being fed, they want to jump ship. They are searching for the perfect church that doesn’t exist, because churches are made up of people who will always have a sin nature. Of course the greatest danger is when you fail to see the sin nature in yourself and only see sin in others. Find a healthy church that holds to the Essentials of the Christian Faith. It should be your desire to grow under an appointed pastor, qualified elders, and the accountability of the church as a whole. Iron sharpens iron. The Gospel is simple enough for a child to understand, like drinking from a water fountain, however the Scriptures are so deep that theologians can drown in them. If you have very wrestled with secondary theological issues with brothers or sisters who disagree, you understand this. 

The greatest misconception is that the church brainwashes people. However, it is the world that is doing the brainwashing and if you stay in the waters of the world long enough, you’ll be like a frog in a pot of water that slowly comes to a boil. You would  jump out of a boiling pot of water immediately, but it’s the slow fade that will get you [ 3 ] . It is also possible to attend a church and not be connected spiritually.  This is the trap of doing tedious religion for so long that you begin to fall into a routine that lacks passion. It is true that believers have a personal relationship with Jesus, but it doesn’t mean that we should isolate ourselves from other believers. Christ is the head of the church and we are the body. What good is an arm or hand if it isn’t attached to the body and used to its full potential ?

Romans 12:3-8

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

The Scriptures from first to last teach us that the Christian life is to be lived within the context of the family of faith.The Bible knows nothing of lone-ranger Christians. Far from being born again rugged individuals, we are born into a body of believers which Christ is the head. [ 4 ] 

Ephesians 3:8-15

8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9 and to enlighten all people as to what the plan of the mystery is which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things; 10 so that the multifaceted wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask you not to become discouraged about my tribulations in your behalf, since they are your glory. 14 For this reason I bend my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,

1 Timothy 3:1-16

It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, skillful in teaching, 3 not overindulging in wine, not a bully, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money. 4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), 6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into condemnation incurred by the devil. 7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil. 8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not insincere, not prone to drink much wine, not greedy for money, 9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 These men must also first be tested; then have them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. 11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Deacons must be husbands of one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. 13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. 14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; 15 but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one should act in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. 16 Beyond question, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh,

Was vindicated [n]in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.

Paul's purpose in writing this letter was to instruct Timothy regarding the church. Of primary importance to any church is that its leaders be qualified to teach and set an example for the rest. Overseers are men who are responsible to lead the church. The terms bishop, elder, overseer, and pastor are used interchangeably to describe the same men. They are responsible to lead, preach, teach, help the spiritually weak, care for the church, and ordain other leaders. [ 5 ] 

Acts 14:21-23

And after they had preached the gospel to that city and had made a good number of disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “It is through many tribulations that we must enter the kingdom of God.” 23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

What is a church hopping ?

This is the idea that you don't have to be a member of any particular church. You hop from church to church without making a commitment. There is no way to build relationships in this manner. 

Video - Do I really need to go to church ?   John MacArthur

Did Jesus build His church upon Peter ? 

Matthew 16:13-18

Now when Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets.” 15 He *said to them, “But who do you yourselves say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter (Petros), and upon this rock(Petra) I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

Catholics often cite Matthew 16:18 as biblical support for the papacy. From this, the Catholic church argues that Jesus built His church upon Peter, and that Peter was the first pope. In order to resolve this very important question we need to look at two key words in the original Greek: The word “Peter” and the word “rock.” In the original language the text reads: “You are Peter (Petros), and on this rock (petra) I will build my church.” Notice how Jesus distinguished between Petros (Peter’s name in the Greek, which means “stone”) and petra (the Greek word for “rock”). For Jesus to have avoided any confusion all He needed to do was to simply use the word “Petros” twice. In this way, He would have clearly demonstrated that the church would be built upon Peter. However, as we have seen, He used a different word — namely, “petra” — to make it absolutely clear that He was referring to the foundation of the church. The context of the passage (which, by the way, begins in verse 13) attests to a play, by Jesus, on these two words. In fact, interestingly enough, He used “petra” (or “rock”) to refer to Peter’s confession — that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Thus, Jesus (not Peter) is said to be the rock upon which the church would be established. [ 6 ] 

• 1 Corinthians 3:11-13
  
• For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.
  

Ephesians 2:19-22

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Matthew 21:42-46

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’? 43 “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. 44 And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” 45 Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them. 46 But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet.

Psalm 118:22

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.

Psalm 118:22 is a Messianic Prophecy. A cornerstone, is the stone that set the foundation and squared the building. Jesus and the teachings of the Apostles is sealed and unchanging, while the "church" is subject to change by the culture. In 2020 Pope Francis became the first Pope to endorse same-sex civil unions. Notice the biblical doctrine hasn't changed but the perspectives of men can  change.  A 2003 document from the Vatican’s doctrine office stated the church’s respect for gay people “cannot lead in any way to approval of homosexual behavior or to legal recognition of homosexual unions.” As Christians, we must hold to Biblical Truth, not the current waves of subjective opinion. 

Cited Sources:   Geese Fly Together  - National Geographic 9/15/09  [ 1 ] , The Migration Of The  Canada Goose - David Smith YouTube 11/10/11 [ 2 ], Slow Fade - Casting Crowns [ 3 ] , The BibleAnswer Book - Hank Hanegraaff  [ 4 ], John MacArthur Commentary [ 5 ], CRI 031719 Catholicism 

Perspectives [ 6 ]