Significant Benefits of Living Near Your Local Church
How important is it for church staff and church members to live in geographical proximity to the church? First, we should note that this is not an explicit command in Scripture, so pastors should not require it for church membership, and churches should think carefully before making it mandatory for staff. Also, like most proverbial wisdom, this is one of those things that is generally true, but may vary significantly in specific situations and contexts. That said, the biblical emphases on community (e.g., Acts 2:42-47) and teachings on the benefits of family, hospitality and fellowship throughout the Bible strongly suggest that geographical proximity to a church is preferable and significant. Living near a church 1) encourages a biblical, missionary mindset and 2) creates many practical benefits for members and their families.
Missionary Mindset
When I was a young Christian, I remember meeting my first group of “real missionaries” at an overseas conference. In one conversation, one of the missionaries helpfully informed me that all Christians are missionaries, and should thus be thoughtful, intentional, and mission-minded in all decisions – what they choose for employment, what they wear, how they spend their free time and vacations, and where they live. The gospel and its ministries should be foremost in our decision-making and priorities. Therefore, as missionaries, perhaps one of the most important questions to ask is: Where is a biblically healthy church that I can plant myself and my family, for the sake of our own discipleship and ministry? Then, after we’ve answered this question, we are able to better consider other important questions such as our choice of employment, where we would personally prefer to raise our families, school options for our children, etc.
Practical Benefits
There are many obvious and serendipitous benefits as well:
• Saves precious time in commuting (and gas money!). This is time that can be used well in other areas, including the simple ministry of church attendance.
• Makes the whole process/routine of getting to and from church easier. This is particularly a huge blessing for mothers, and it creates more opportunities for families to take advantage of church services and activities during the week (e.g., discipleship/Bible studies, fellowship, etc.)
• Facilitates hospitality, community, fellowship, discipleship, and opportunities for ministry and service in the community.
• Creates a more tangible corporate witness in the community, as the neighborhood can watch the love, purity, and unity of Christians living among on another throughout the week, and not just on Sundays.
• Makes the Lord’s Day more restful, as Christian families can spend the extra time in family worship, hospitality, spiritual disciplines, and much-needed physical rest.
I have always tried to live close to my church. I have lived as close as 2.5 miles and right now we live 9 miles from the church. All of the reasons that you listed are valid and very appropriate/practical.
Posted by: tlange | Nov 13, 2007 11:20:07 PM
I dare say most Americans aren't financially sound enough to make their employment decision dependent on the location of their church. Besides, employers in 2007 cherry-pick from hordes of applicants, the labor market is a buyer's market.
I would be happy just to get Sundays off. I took a job explaining at the outset I wanted Sundays off and went thru training just to be put on Sundays anyway.
Posted by: David Thatcher | Nov 14, 2007 2:32:39 AM
Ryan,
You have raised some good points. The gospel should be foremost in our decision making and priorities. Many blessings do flow from being in a neighborhood church. You have also raised some questions that if addressed could be helpful to readers.
Perhaps it would be helpful to consider the fact that out of all the Christians in the world, and out of all the Christians in church history, only a miniscule few have the luxury of considering the prospect of moving close to a healthy church that you have mentioned. What are the factors that the vast majority of Christians must consider? It seems to me that most Christians must make do with the one church that is available to them, like the Christians in the New Testament. Even when Paul addressed the Christians in Corinth, he did not advise the committed ones to withdraw and move somewhere where a healthier church existed, or to plant a new church. He assumed that the congregation needed to work out their difficulties, confess their sins. If they were to move somewhere, it would be toward holiness and humility and repentance and unity, etc.
You seem to indicate that the missionary mindset will lead a person to move close to a healthy church. Could not the exact opposite be true? Would not the missionary mindset you describe lead a person to the most needy, most difficult church situation? It seems to me that the missionary mindset might lead a person to remain in a neighborhood church, even though it is very unhealthy, rather than move to or commute to a distant one that is more healthy.
Another question to consider is how these factors should be considered differently by differently types of individuals - the church planter, the pastor or staff person, or the single person, or the family. what are your thoughts?
Ryan, these are important issues. I have made mistakes with respect to these issues. I am grateful that you have prodded me to think about these things.
Posted by: Michael Indorf | Nov 14, 2007 9:40:35 AM
We will certainly find it easier to influence through our corporate witness the community in which the church is situated if people in the church live in the community. And engagement with the church through the week will also be easier if we live nearer to the church.
But there is something that seems really obvious to me that might be worth mentioning: inviting friends to come to church. Which is more daunting to our non-Christian neighbors: a 45-minute drive or a 10-minute drive? The gospel is enough of a stumbling block, and there will be enough things about coming to church that are awkward for a non-Christian, without introducing an extended commute to get there.
Certainly people drive long distances to go to work -- having lived in both Chicago and NYC, I'm well aware of that. But those long commutes reflect something about what people value -- the value of their job and the value of the quality of life they enjoy in the 'burbs, for example. But when it comes to a non-Christian visiting a friend's church, there is no similar value attachment present, at least not yet. So this seems to me a compelling reason to fellowship and worship as close to home as I can.
Posted by: Justin Keller | Nov 14, 2007 10:04:34 AM
All great points Ryan! Thanks for spelling it out in such a way that it is clear for those who struggle with this dilemma. I pray that many would see the significance of being close to their local church in order to participate in so many wonderful areas that we are meant to be in, when one is in Christ and has covenanted with a body of believers. From this then, the elders have the chance (duty) to equip the saints, encouraging discipleship, and preach the gospel, praying that the Lord would grant both gospel and church growth within that church.
Personally, I've seen it being a huge benefit in my life to live in walking distance of the church. Being single can be difficult in finding a place, but I'm sure it's not as difficult if one is married and has three kids. The Lord provided me a place of stay with another married couple of the church. It's been a good relationship and I cherish their kindness in housing me. I pray that others would see the benefits of living close(r) to their local churches. It says something when we choose to live close(r) to our churches, rather than our places of work, etc. I believe the Lord will bless those who do that. Remember it is for our good and His glory, even if we pay more to live close(r) to our churches, for we are storing up treasure in heaven (Matt. 6:20).
Posted by: TW | Nov 14, 2007 10:04:39 AM
Ryan,
I would wholeheartedly agree with what you have written. Well put. I think we deeply need more people who center their lives around the body of Christ. However, the question posed in the first post about geography seemed to suggest one that was looking for a church; what is the priority, proximity or theology. How would you apply this to that question?
Posted by: Andy Lutz | Nov 14, 2007 10:23:54 AM
I wrote a few thoughts in my blog and included this link. Thank you!
http://urbanreformation.com/god-sent-his-son-in-person-the-incarnation-proximity-of-the-body.htm
Jason
Posted by: Jason | Dec 26, 2007 12:51:36 PM
I would agree with Justin. One of the most important reasons for living near your church is to be able to be disciples as the Lord calls us to be. We should invite our friends and neighbours to church or outreach events.
Prior to moving close to my church we were unable to really get involved with the church community or help with church growth. Now we are actively involved in starting up a youth ministry and looking at starting a new ministry for mothers of preschoolers (MOPS). This wouldn't have been possible otherwise.
Posted by: Kimberly | Jan 21, 2008 1:52:15 PM