Fruitful Living
10 reasons we should attend church
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:24-25.
INTRODUCTION
We have a hope in Christ Jesus our Lord, which has been given to us by God the Father and by whose death we are united in Him and called God’s children. In order to hold onto this hope we need to support one another by spurring one another onto love and good deeds. We can do this more and more as we meet together as a fellowship in church. That is why going to church is not merely a meeting of believers. It is a meeting of support among believers – the strengthening of one another by our gifts.
Therefore, church is not just a place to go to but rather a living body where God fully participates in our lives for our good and for His glory.
Let us, therefore, consider these 10 why it is critical to attend church.
1. To hear the Preaching of the Word.
If the word of God is quick, powerful, and sharper than a sword (Hebrews 4:12), then hearing the preaching of Scripture is vital to our spiritual well-being. Without living in close fellowship with people, one can never really experience the help and hope Christ offers through faithful involvement in a local church.
COVID-19 has made it clear that if we are physically unable to attend church, watching it on television or online is a wonderful resource. This allows us to stay in communion with our church family, learning what they are learning, and growing as they grow.
2. To participate in corporate worship.
Worshipping God alone is wonderful, but nothing can replace the beauty of coming together corporately to worship Him with others who also have His Spirit in them through the redeeming work of salvation. Jesus says those who worship must worship in Spirit and in Truth – John 4:24.
Knowing God and His character as revealed in Scripture will stir in His children a heart of thankfulness that is expressed in worship that brings Him glory, rather than a self-serving emotional experience. The Holy Spirit causes true worshippers to long to come together with other believers to honour Christ.
3. To sharpen one another
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. – Proverbs 27:17. When iron rubs against iron, not only does it become sharper, it causes sparks also! Meeting regularly with other believers is a source of encouragement and strength and a wonderful way to grow our love for God and for others. And it is also God’s way of showing us areas in our lives He wants to mature our walk with Christ. If we’ve stopped attending church because people hurt us, didn’t measure up to our expectations, or are hypocritical, know that the enemy has us right where he wants us. Satan’s tactic is to divide and conquer. Satan will use our lack of love for God’s people to quench our love for God.
4. To exercise our spiritual gifts
Everybody has a spiritual gift and in order for us to remain healthy as a living organism called church we all need to play our part. Can you imagine if our foot decides to go on strike, we will not even be able to walk to where our food is and as for our throat, if it decides to go on strike we won’t even be able to swallow anything. What if the heart decides not to work at all? So you see how important it is for us to be together because each of us is playing a different role but critical role to make the church alive and strong.
5. To encourage our pastor
Our pastors need encouragement because they are also saved by grace just like we are and need the daily presence and encouragement of God who is Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Pastors also have needs: material, physical, and spiritual. They are in a privileged but difficult position of taking care of us because they are the under shepherds of our great Shepherd the Lord Jesus Christ. We need to encourage, love, pray and care for them. If they miss their target, instead of just criticising we need to go to them and share with them what we think they didn’t do well and how we think they could have done better. We must do it with love because that is exactly what God does for us on a daily basis.
6. To find Godly mentors.
In church we discover many people who have walked the road ahead of us. Their wisdom, insights, and even vulnerability to teach us from their mistakes is one way God provides to help us grow. Titus chapter 2 is a great place to learn how much God values mentorship. It is His plan for the older men and women to come alongside younger men and women to train them in godliness, and guide them toward building a life of no regrets. And not only is the church a wonderful place to find amazing mentors, it is the place God wants to use us to mentor someone else.
7. To teach our children to love the church.
If we want our children to learn to love God’s people, they have to observe us loving God’s people. Do our children see us reading the word of God? Do they see us praying? Do they see us being charitable? Do they see us living in love? Do they see us being temperate in our language towards them and towards others? Luke 6:40 says the student will become like his teacher. Notice that Jesus didn’t say the student will become as the teacher teaches him to be, rather he will be like his teacher.
8. To be a light to the community in which we live.
We need to be the light to the community in which we live by showcasing good values, Godly values, and the greatest value we need to show is the value of loving one another. When we commit to loving God and others, the light shining from our Christ honouring love is what the Holy Spirit will use to draw others to know Jesus.
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.Matthew 5:14-16.
9. To bear each other’s burdens.
When we grow into maturity, we become Christ-centred not self-centred. We do not only think about ourselves and what is convenient for us but when we are Christ-centred, we bear each other’s burdens so that we will fulfil the law of Christ which is love. Galatians 6:2 – “carry each other’s burdens and in this way you would fulfil the law of Christ’’. When life is going great we need to affirm one another and when life throws us into a sharp curve we need to be supportive of one another.
10. To go to church because God says so
God wants us to regularly attend church because it is for our good. He wants us His people to exalt one another especially since the world we live in is getting darker. Hebrews 10:25 – not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Let’s go to church and let us help one another to be who God says we should be, let’s change our country because our light is shining brightly and our salt is making the country Ghana better by creating an environment of righteousness and love.
Stay blessed!
For further inquiries please contact us on Tel Nos. 0302-772013 or 0268130615
Email: saltnlightministries@gmail.com
Website: saltandlightministriesgh.org
By Dr. Joyce Aryee, the author
Though debated, women’s leadership is not prohibited in Islam if practiced within Islamic ethics. Muslim women historically influenced governance through education, economic power, and advisory roles (Ahmed, 2021). Contemporary Muslim women in public office embody the Qur’anic principle of justice (Qur’an 4:135).
Islam encourages professions that benefit society. Female physicians, gynecologists, and nurses are essential in Muslim societies, ensuring culturally sensitive healthcare (Shaikh, 2015). Similarly, Muslim women in education, media, and business embody the Prophetic principle of service to humanity.
The Ghanaian context
In Ghana, Muslim women play a pivotal role in sustaining both families and communities. Beyond managing households, many women assume the role of primary breadwinners, paying school fees, supporting relatives, and financing community projects. Their contributions extend into professional and public life. In academia, Dr Rabiyatu Armah, an Islamic educationist and lecturer at University of Ghana, has championed girls’ schooling and equal opportunities in religious studies. In politics and governance, Hajia Samira Bawumia, Ghana’s former Second Lady, has promoted literacy, health, and women’s empowerment through nationwide initiatives. In the media, Madam Shamima Muslim, who serves as Deputy Presidential Spokesperson under President John Dramani Mahama, stands as a role model for young Muslim journalists. Her career reflects how Muslim women can excel in public communication while upholding modesty and Islamic values. These examples affirm that empowering Muslim women in education, media, and governance strengthens both families and national development.
Education and economic empowerment
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated: “The best of you are those who are best to their women.” (Tirmidhi, Hadith 1162). Honouring women means enabling them to access education and livelihood. Denying women education contradicts both the Qur’an and Sunnah and weakens the Muslim ummah (Barazangi, 2008).
A call to rethink our attitudes
Muslim societies today must critically re-examine cultural practices that continue to restrict women’s potential and return to Islam’s authentic message. The Qur’an and Sunnah affirm women as not only homemakers but also scholars, professionals, and leaders in society. True empowerment lies in realising the framework Islam already provides.
The role of Muslim scholars (‘ulama) is crucial. Those trained in Sharia and Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) must guide women in balancing modesty with participation in business, education, and public service. History offers powerful precedents: Aisha bint Abu Bakr (RA), one of the Prophet’s wives, transmitted over 2,000 hadiths and was a leading authority in law; and Fatima al-Fihri founded the University of al-Qarawiyyin in Morocco, the world’s oldest existing university. Their legacy demonstrates how knowledge and faith combined to shape civilisations. Equipping today’s Muslim women with similar guidance will strengthen families, uplift communities, and ensure a prosperous ummah.
Conclusion
Islam dignified women at a time when they were devalued, transforming them from marginalised figures to partners in faith, family, and society. From Khadijah (RA), who invested her wealth in the Prophet’s mission, to Aisha (RA), who transmitted knowledge and shaped Islamic scholarship, women have always stood at the heart of the ummah. The Qur’an enshrined their rights to inheritance, education, economic participation, and spiritual equality (Qur’an 4:7; 33:35).
Equally significant is the role of Muslim women in marriage and family life. The Qur’an describes spouses as “garments for one another” (Qur’an 2:187), highlighting marriage as a bond of comfort and protection. As wives and mothers, Muslim women nurture faith, instill moral discipline in children, and create homes rooted in mercy, patience, and cooperation. This domestic leadership complements their contributions in business, education, health, and governance, ensuring balance in both private and public life.
Allah reminds us: “For men is a share of what they earn, and for women is a share of what they earn.” (Qur’an 4:32). Empowering women in marriage, education, and work is therefore central to building thriving families, resilient communities, and a strong ummah.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author
“Again Jesus call the crowd to Him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a man can make him ‘unclean’ by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him ‘unclean.” – Mark 7:14-16 (NIV)
Introduction
The Lord is really awesome in His wisdom and as Moses said when they were led to cross the Red Sea – “Who is like unto you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” – Exodus 15:11 (KJV)
CHANNEL
The word channel connotes action – real action because as a verb, it means:
- to direct
- to show the way
- shepherd
- lead
- train; among others.
And as a noun it can mean:
- a conduit
- an access
- an artery
- a pipeline
- a means of.
But the other words I found in the Thesaurus which really thrilled me and gave me a greater understanding of who we are called to be as Christians are meaning of channel as
- Advertiser;
- Delegate;
- Witness;
- Narrator;
- Go between;
- Spokesman,
- Communicator;
- Publiciser;
- Speaker.
Fascinating isn’t it. This reminds us of our calling as stated in Acts 1:8 that we will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes and we will be His witness here on earth – we are to be those through whom others come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. So as I found in the Thesaurus, we are Jesus’ delegates here on earth – we represent Him. We are His spokespersons. His go between when He wants to reach out to people. We are His communicators – we are really the ones who should be on radio each day telling people about the Lord Jesus Christ as the only means of salvation and redemption from sin. Alas, political party communicators seem to have the upper hand because media houses prefer their cacophony and not our soothing but very powerful words that ONLY Jesus saves.
By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee, the author
