You’ve heard it before:

“We don’t go to church. We are the church.”

I’ve often heard the phrase used to justify the belief that attending a local church is optional or unimportant for believers since they are the church. It communicates our identity as the church negates our need to attend church; which, to be frank, is a dumpster fire of an idea.

To explain, allow me to point out a few things about the statement.

First, the phrase says “We are the church,” not “I am the church.” Individual, isolated Christians are not the church just like a brick is not the building. Our identity as the church is a communal identity of which we are a part. You can be a Christian, but not a church.

Second, if the first point is true (which it is), then we fully experience and display our communal identity only when we are together. An individual Christian does not receive all the blessings or communicate all the glories of Christ when they remain detached or semi-connected to a local church.

Third, if someone were to say, “I am a member of the Big C-Church (i.e. the Universal Church)” to justify detachment from a Little C-church (i.e. the local church), it helps to point out the primary way we participate in the Big C-Church is through our participation with the Little C-church. To praise marriage, but hate your spouse shows you love an idea, but not the reality. To claim membership in the Big C-Church without actually attending or loving your local church is empty of meaning.

Fourth, since we are members of the body (1 Corinthians 12:12) or stones in the temple (1 Peter2:5) of the church, then attending and serving our local churches isn’t just nice, but a part of Christ’s design. Healthy body parts aren’t severed. Useful stones don’t remain at Home Depot. Going to a local church is necessary to live the Christian life Jesus has saved us into.

Fifth, and final, if someone takes the phrase to mean, “Going to church is optional,” they’re wrong for all the reasons above and for the simple reason that going to church is necessary for obedience to Jesus and to experience the incredible grace he wants to lavish on you.

Instead of saying, “We don’t go to church, we are the church,” let’s say, “We are members of the church so we go to church.” Our identity doesn’t preclude our membership in a local church, but results in it. Hands and feet are designed for connection with the body. Stones and bricks are built together into the building. So, Christians are made for the church and live out their true identity not without her, but within her.

If church has hurt you, don’t allow past hurt to keep you from future grace in living out what you are: a member of his body. Seek a faithful, loving congregation where you can receive and give (and give!) the grace that’s yours Christ. We are the church, so let’s gather as the church—regularly, joyfully, and purposefully.

Beloved, we are the church so go to church.