I get it. Sometimes waking up on a Sunday morning, making a second cup of coffee, and staying in your PJ’s until the Lions game comes on sounds amazing. Especially when you can still watch church services from your comfy couch and feel like you are connected with your home church. Add in the cold winters and busy schedules, the temptation to skip in-person church services is hard to overcome.
Since the pandemic, the idea of attending church services online has not only been acceptable, it’s been preferred by many in our congregation at 2|42. As we say goodbye to 2024, we had roughly 2,500 log-on devices to watch our church services each weekend last year. Now it’s hard to know how many people are gathered around each device, but it’s safe to say that as many people watch online each weekend as do attend in person at 2|42.
In today’s digital age, watching a church service online is convenient and accessible. While this option is valuable, particularly for those unable to attend in person due to health concerns or other significant barriers, there are profound benefits to gathering in person that cannot be fully replicated through a screen. Here are a few:
Knowing God:
Being physically present allows for spontaneous interactions, encouragement, and relational depth that aren’t as easily cultivated online. Online viewing can provide insight and teaching, but it often lacks the personal connection and accountability that grow through face-to-face interaction. Whether it’s a smile during worship, sharing communion with your family, worshipping together as a body of believers, or a heartfelt prayer shared in the lobby, these moments create bonds that sustain faith and allow us to know God in a deeper way.
Growing with Others:
Joining a church community means stepping into a space where others can encourage and challenge you in your faith. And where you can turn around and do the same for others. To put it simply, discipleship is best in person when it can emerge organically. These relationships provide the accountability and encouragement necessary for spiritual growth, which can oftentimes be harder to foster through a digital connection. For parents, modeling to your children the value of prioritizing church sets a standard for your kids that they shouldn’t be passive observers, but full participants in a church family.
Changing the World:
Being physically present at church is not just about receiving; it’s about giving. The Church thrives when members use their gifts to serve one another. Whether it’s volunteering with the kids’ ministry, welcoming people into the church, or leading a small group, these acts of service are difficult to replicate in an online setting. Additionally, in-person attendance provides opportunities for encouragement and care. It allows others to recognize when you’re struggling and offer support, be it through a conversation, prayer, or tangible help. When we work together to impact the people in front of us, we make a big difference in changing the world around us.
Final Thought:
2|42 Community Church’s mission is to help people take next steps with God. This mission thrives in environments where believers can interact, challenge one another, and collaborate on serving the broader community. While digital platforms are tools for outreach, the Church’s most transformative work often happens in person, as believers live out their faith together. So here’s my challenge as we begin a new year: come back to church in-person. Meet with other people, and experience God’s presence in the gathering of His people.
Check out our website for more information. We always welcome new friends to worship with us. Find a location that’s close to you!
You can learn more about our beliefs and visit our video library to explore more topics like this one. You can also check out our events page to find out what fun new things we’re doing this season.
