Why Church?

14 August 2026

The New Testament explains God’s reason for giving us Life:

“God is the one who made all things and all things are for His Glory”.

He wanted to have many children share His Glory. Hebrews 2:10a New Century Version (NCV)

We are alive because God wants a family. This is one of the most amazing verses in the Bible that God would want us to be a part of His family for eternity is truly remarkable.

In fact, the Bible is primarily the story of God’s commitment to building a family. Needless to say, it hasn’t been easy!

Paul clearly equates family with church. The church is not a building nor an institution - it’s a gathered family.

“I am writing…so you’ll know how to live in the family of God. That family is the church…” 1 Timothy 3: 14-15 NCV.

Sometimes people will say, “I am a Christian but I just don’t want to belong to any particular church, or I don’t want to belong to any church at all” - but that’s about as foolish as saying: “I want to play professional sport but I don’t want to belong to any particular team”.

Paul, “In Christ, we who are many, form one body and each member belongs to all the others”. Romans 12: 5 New International Version (NIV).

This is a very important verse - because not only does it tell us that the Church is ‘God’s family’ - it tells us that the church is also ‘Christ’s body’.

Christ is the head of the Body and we make up the rest of the Body as its various members’ or parts. This is why as Christians we become Church members.

God’s Love For YOU has not changed, even if people have let you down.

If you are nervous about walking through our church doors alone, don’t be. Whenever you are ready, our doors at ERCC are OPEN and we would love to meet you and welcome you in.

Reverend Keith Hooker