How to Win at Church

There are many reasons why people don’t go to church. But the win for church is certainly not just getting more people in the seats. Let’s back up in history 2,000 years to learn what the goal of church really is.

The Example of the First Church Teaches Us How to Win at Church

The church was born in Acts 2, where we also see what its priorities were.

Acts 2:42 (NLT) All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

This verse gives us a clue about three ways to win at church.

#1 Winning at Church Starts with Solid Biblical Teaching

The role of the church is to proclaim God’s truth. That’s why the first church was devoted to “the apostles’ teaching”. The goal is to get people to God, not just to get them in the door. People have to come to God on God’s terms, so they have to hear what God thinks. That is found in the Bible.

2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT) All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

#2 Winning at Church Has Always Included Connecting with Others

In the first church, the people devoted themselves “to fellowship, and to sharing in meals…” (v.42). They weren’t just showing up at a big meeting. They didn’t just hear a sermon. They gathered together in places where they could talk with each other about what they were learning.

#3 Winning at Church Is About Connecting with God Together

The Bible paints a picture of the church as the body of Christ. Like a body, the church is connected and functions together as one organism. As verse 42 says, the first church was devoted “to prayer”. This was not just individual prayer. They gathered before God for prayer and worship as well (see Acts 4:24).

You Can’t Win at Faith without Being a Part of a Local Church

There is never any evidence in the Bible of one of these early Christians staying at home. That kind of individualist approach to faith is a very American thing. The Bible calls the church “the bride of Christ” (Ephesians 5:25-27). That means the church is the object of Jesus’ affection. It doesn’t make any sense to say you follow Jesus, but then be apathetic toward the people he loves.

Acts 2:44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

In light of this, evaluate yourself: are you winning at church?