I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the LORD’s house.”

Psalm 122:1 GNT

All of us have different experiences with church.

Many, like me, were blessed to grow up in the church. Not every Sunday is perfect. But in general, I associate Sundays with favorite hymns, Sunday School lessons, fellowship with lifelong friends, and sermons that draw me deeper into Scripture.

But for others, church can be a difficult topic.

Maybe you’ve experienced hurt or rejection from the church in the past, and still feel the dull sense of dread each Sunday.

Maybe you’re so busy teaching Sunday School, leading worship, and running prayer circles that every Sunday feels like a marathon.

Or maybe you secretly think that church is kind of useless. Do I really even need to be here? you wonder. After all, I can grow with God by reading my Bible at home—right?

What Does the Bible Say About Church?

Throughout Scripture, we see an unfolding story of God’s relationship with his people.

In the Old Testament, God chose Israel to be his holy people among the nations. In the New Testament, Jesus’s death and resurrection made God’s gift of salvation available to all people. And in Revelation, we see a picture of God’s eternal church, which will include people from every tribe, tongue, and nation.

The Bible describes the church as God’s people. But it also describes the church as Christ’s body—the unified community of believers who are called to live, worship, and serve God together:

God put all things under Christ’s feet and gave him to the church as supreme Lord over all things. The church is Christ’s body, the completion of him who himself completes all things everywhere.

Ephesians 1:22-23 GNT

When we put our faith in Jesus, we don’t only receive the gift of salvation—although that would be more than enough! We also receive gifts like the Holy Spirit and community with the people of God.

As part of Christ’s church, we are called to build up the body of Christ by preaching God’s Word and loving our brothers and sisters. We are also called to serve the church as individuals, looking for ways to grow in faith and love as we live in community with one another.

Here are five ways from Scripture you can serve your own local church.

5 Ways from Scripture to Serve Your Church

Gather.

Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good. Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.

Hebrews 10:24-25 GNT

Worship.

Christ’s message in all its richness must live in your hearts. Teach and instruct one another with all wisdom. Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts.

Colossians 3:16 GNT

Pray.

“And I tell you more: whenever two of you on earth agree about anything you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, I am there with them.”

Matthew 18:19-20 GNT

Give.

Remember that the person who plants few seeds will have a small crop; the one who plants many seeds will have a large crop. You should each give, then, as you have decided, not with regret or out of a sense of duty; for God loves the one who gives gladly.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 GNT

Grow.

By speaking the truth in a spirit of love, we must grow up in every way to Christ, who is the head. Under his control all the different parts of the body fit together, and the whole body is held together by every joint with which it is provided. So when each separate part works as it should, the whole body grows and builds itself up through love.

Ephesians 4:15-16 GNT