★ Recommended by Munhwarang (Professor of Worship Studies at Korea Theological Seminary) and Jeonggyu Lee (Pastor of Sigwang Church)!

“Times have changed so much, do we really have to gather every Sunday?”
“Isn’t it enough to worship on YouTube?”
“Just believe in Jesus. Do I really need to go to church?”

Tori Merida, author of "A Guide to Church Love"
Believers are re-establishing the essence of public worship and the church.
A guide to help you restore the joy of worshipping together!

Why should we worship together in church?

In an age overflowing with online content, worship is now easily consumed in a personalized and decentralized manner.
Of course, we can also come to know God through good sermons and worship services online.
But God is most pleased when we gather in person in church to worship.
Because the place that makes Christians Christians and the church the church is the ‘place of worship.’
Public worship is not simply a religious act.
It is a place of grace where we experience the gospel through words, praise, prayer, sacraments, and fellowship, and are then sent out into the world.
This book will help believers realize their calling to worship and return to that place with joy.

Let me be clear as I begin this book: attending church services does not make you a Christian.
To borrow a phrase from my friend Joby Martin, “Putting your head in a church building doesn’t make you a Christian any more than putting your head in an oven makes you a biscuit!” Only Jesus saves.
Only Jesus can completely change us.
However, the primary way to live a transformed life as a faithful disciple of Jesus is to regularly attend Sunday services at your local church.
Christians are distinguished not only by their love for Christ, but also by their love for His people.
The New Testament knows nothing of 'Lone Ranger Christianity'.
Our faith is personal, but not individualistic.
God wants us to live out our faith within the community called the church.
And regular attendance at Sunday worship services and parenting meetings is at the heart of this idea.
--- From the "Introductory Note"

It is by God's mercy in Christ, and by His mercy alone, that we have the privilege of gathering together and worshipping Him as His redeemed people on their way to their heavenly home.
Literally, the purpose of our existence is for God's people to gather together as a community and joyfully worship Him in His presence.
--- From “Chapter 1: Why We Gather Together on Sundays to Worship”

Therefore, it is important that you attend public worship.
Because you have a role to play in looking after your brothers and sisters and encouraging them to love and do good deeds.
In fact, this is not something we naturally like to do.
Only when we are stimulated and encouraged by someone can we truly care for others and serve them with self-sacrifice.
--- From "Chapter 2: To Encourage Together"

The goal of every public service sermon, like all other elements of worship, is one and the same: to exalt Christ.
Hearing the Word of God proclaimed to us is not something that happens after worship.
Listening to the word itself is worship.
Since the entire Bible speaks to us about the Lord Jesus (see Luke 24:27, 44-45), a good sermon interprets the meaning of the biblical text and points it to Christ so that people will know, worship, and obey Him.
--- From “Chapter 3: To Hear God’s Word Together”

Therefore, the whole church praising together has a meaning beyond mere 'mood music'.
Through praise, we unite ourselves with the people of faith who have joyfully, reverently, gratefully, and humbly praised God throughout history.
We praise in times of prosperity and difficulties, in times of joy and sorrow, in times of pleasure and in times of indifference.
We praise because our hearts are glad, and we praise so that our hearts may be glad.
We praise God, knowing that all our pain and sorrow will soon be transformed into eternal glory (see Romans 8:18-31).
We praise to remember where our true citizenship lies (see Philippians 3:20-21; Hebrews 13:14-15).
--- From “Chapter 4: To Praise Together”

How can we help those who are bound by various sins, those who are suffering from grief, fear, apathy, anxiety, and depression? We must stand with them and pray to God for their spiritual renewal and growth.
We must fight this spiritual battle with the weapon of prayer.
Because, by God's grace, our prayers bring about great change.
--- From “Chapter 5: To Pray Together”

It is meaningful to gather with God's people and witness the baptism of new brothers and sisters.
Because it is not only a powerful tool to encourage them in their faith, but also to remember all that faith has brought to you.
Because of this, you will be amazed and amazed all over again by what Jesus Christ has done for you, is doing for you, and will do for you.
--- From “Chapter 6: Celebrating the Gospel Visually Together”

If you want to be sensitive to even the smallest reactions of those attending a service for the first time to encourage the gospel, think about what it was like when you were a non-believer, when you attended the event as an outsider.
And remember, you have an important role to play.
You may be the first person outsiders meet at church.
Talk to them, connect them with others who might have something in common, and if possible, hang out with them after the service.
--- From "Chapter 7: Welcoming Non-Believers Together"

Caring for one another is not the responsibility of pastors alone.
This is similar to how evangelism is not the sole responsibility of evangelists.
All of God's people have their own roles to play.
In Galatians 6, Paul shows how Spirit-filled believers should care for one another.
This care is primarily carried out during the time spent as a scattered church in everyday life, rather than during the church gatherings on Sundays.

--- From "Chapter 8: Living as a Worshiper of Life Scattered"