My recent conversation with a young man deeply involved in his church community offered a fascinating glimpse into how different individuals perceive and prioritize aspects of faith. He spoke passionately about his involvement in a “one church, one city” movement and, in comparing it to a larger congregation, emphasized the profound piety he felt within his current fellowship. For him, a significant measure of this piety – of what pleases God – seemed to be rooted in an increased commitment to church attendance, alongside Bible study, prayer meetings, and missionary work.

This emphasis on frequenting worship services is certainly a common and often encouraged practice within many Christian traditions. The desire to be in community with fellow believers, to corporately lift our voices in praise, and to receive spiritual nourishment through preaching and fellowship is undoubtedly valuable. There’s a rhythm and a connection fostered through regular attendance that can be deeply enriching and can strengthen one’s faith journey.

However, our conversation then took a turn towards community engagement, specifically regarding the homeless. While my young interlocutor acknowledged the efforts of government and social organizations, his focus remained on the perceived spiritual need, with a critique of societal structures he believed contributed to the problem. This highlighted a potential tension: the dedication to internal church activities versus outward-focused service and compassion.

It made me reflect on the true essence of worship. Is it solely confined to the hours spent within the four walls of a church building? Does an increase in attendance automatically equate to a deeper, more impactful faith? Or is worship a more holistic expression of our devotion, encompassing not only our engagement within the church but also our active participation in God’s work in the world?

The Gospels are filled with examples of Jesus moving beyond the established religious gatherings to interact with and serve those on the margins of society. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and spent time with those considered outcasts. His “worship” seemed to extend far beyond synagogue attendance; it was woven into the fabric of his daily interactions and his unwavering commitment to love and serve others.

While attending worship services is a vital part of spiritual formation, perhaps the measure of our piety isn’t solely in the quantity of our attendance but in the quality of our engagement with God and with our neighbor. Does our time in worship inspire us to action? Does it cultivate a deeper empathy and a stronger desire to see God’s justice and love extended to all, including those often overlooked by society?

Perhaps the challenge lies in finding a balance – in allowing our communal worship to fuel our individual and collective efforts to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. Could it be that true piety encompasses both a commitment to gathering as a community of faith and a commitment to scattering into our communities to live out that faith in tangible ways?

This conversation served as a gentle reminder that our understanding of worship might need to broaden. While the rhythm of regular church attendance is important, let us also consider how we are worshipping God through our actions, our compassion, and our willingness to step outside our comfort zones to serve those in need. For it is in these acts of love and service that our faith truly comes alive and reflects the heart of the One we worship.