Why I Go to Church

by Pastor Gary Ritchie of One Way Ministries

National Back-to-Church Sunday was last Sunday, September 21, 2025. I will have to say, One Way had a pretty packed house last week. It seemed as if young people had made a point to join us on that given day. I know that a couple of factors may have contributed to that fact: 1) the death of Charlie Kirk and 2) the fact that it was Youth Sunday and a shout out had been sent over Facebook to that fact.

As a pastor, I must confess, I love church! I always have. My only negative remembrance of church was having to sit through sermons. Back in the day, I attended Wrights Chapel United Methodist Church. The preacher would bring a message every second and fourth Sunday. On the other weeks, we would only have Sunday School. I must confess that at the age of ten, I knew how to count Sundays. I always dreaded having to sit and listen to the preacher. I suspect the Lord may have been teaching me a lesson that I might remember when he called me to preach.

So why do I go to church? The noble and correct answer is that Jesus is deserving of praise and the Bible tells us in Hebrews 10:25 to “not forsake assembling ourselves together.” First, I go to church to honor God.

Secondly (and selfishly it may really be my first reason), I go to church because it always fills

my cup. I may enter the sanctuary down and out, with an empty cup. But God always does what only he can do, he simply fills my cup! I have no doubt, that if I show up and push up to the table, God brings the supply and I am filled with his goodness and mercy.

Third, I go to church because my adopted family are all there. I miss them when I don’t see them. They are happy to see me and I can feel their joy. I am accepted by them and I am loved unconditionally. I feel a responsibility to lift them up and encourage them as well. I can better sense God’s unconditional love by my friends and family who accept me at my best and my worst.

Now I know there are skeptics out there. For many, you have never given church a try.

For some, you have been hurt by a church member or even a church as a whole.

Please know, no church is perfect. If that were true, no one could join anyway. I suspect though, unless you have been a turtle with your head tucked in the shell, you may discern that something different is in the air. Not meaning to be overly spiritual, but I suspect God is bringing change into our world. With that in mind, maybe you are feeling like its time to give church a chance. I assure you, if you have had thoughts like that, they are not coming from the devil.

So you may be a week or two late to celebrate National Back to Church Sunday but I

assure you it is not too late! I have visited most of the local churches and have always

been greeted warmly. I have the greatest confidence that when you arrive, you will be

welcomed and made to feel right at home. You will encounter God’s presence and

know you are in the right place. And if you are unsure, join me at One Way. I know

the preacher and he will make you feel right at home. Come as you are!

Be Blessed!

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If you would like to reach out to Pastor Gary, he can be emailed at pastorgary@onewaydamascus.org 

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