I saw a cartoon recently that depicted a gentleman struggling to wake up and get out of bed with his wife standing over him pleading with him to get going. He tells her that he doesn’t want to go to church. And her response: “You have to go. You’re the pastor!”

I can relate to that! Can You?

Is church attendance important? Glad you asked! Let me tell you a story.

For Christmas this year, my wife surprised me and the boys with tickets to a Dallas Cowboys game. Isn’t she awesome? It was such a fantastic experience on the Monday night after Christmas versus the Detroit Lions along with 100,000 other Cowboy fans. Well, there were a few Lion’s fans – including the two sitting right next to me – but that’s another story.

I have been a Cowboys fan my entire life – not a bandwagon fan – a true fan. I have loved them through all the good, the bad and the ugly. But this was the first time I have ever gotten to see them play in person. And it brought me to a whole new level of being Cowboys fan.

I was a Cowboys follower long before I ever stepped foot into AT&T Stadium. Likewise, one can be a Christ follower without ever stepping foot in a church. Billy Sunday said, “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you an automobile.” But experiencing the game in person was way more exhilarating than watching it on my TV. I did more than see the game – I participated in the game. I was one of many cheering and yelling at the top of my lungs. And I’m sure Dak and Zeke could hear me! I was part of a community. Even in the presence of those who weren’t like-minded (those pesky Lion’s fans). It was simply…breathtaking. Perhaps this is why Jesus said, “For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20, NLT).

This past Sunday I watched the Cowboy’s playoff game against the Green Bay Packers from my living room but with a whole new perspective. I cheered, I yelled and maybe I even cussed a time or two. But I missed being in the community of those who were there at AT&T stadium. I so longed to be there in person.

Did I have to go to AT&T stadium to be a Cowboys fan? No. But it sure brought me to a whole new level of being a follower.

Do you have to go to church? No. But I promise you it will bring you to a whole new level of being a Christ follower.

See you Sunday?