I really enjoy talking to people who aren’t Christians.

I grew up as a confessing Christian but had completely misunderstood what Christianity was all about. As far as I was concerned my Episcopal church attendance was all about up, down, up, down, kneel, red book, blue book, kneel, little bread, little cup, strange procession, and leave. Little did I know I wasn’t experiencing the real thing. I just thought the real thing was really boring.

Then I met Jesus. To be more specific, I met his followers. But as far as he is concerned, he and his followers are the same thing. They were a bunch of high school kids that showed me what real Christianity was about. I discovered that I had missed Jesus for 16 years and didn’t want to miss him anymore. I wanted to follow him.

But you see, I never officially denied Christianity as true. As a very not-Christian kid I would have still told you I was a Christian. There were too many societal perks and too much of my own self-righteousness to see clearly enough that my Christianity was an empty hull.

Which is why I really enjoy talking to people who aren’t Christians. They’ve thought about it, considered the options, and decided against Christianity.

To be clear, I think this is grave mistake. I’d be dishonest if I didn’t. But nevertheless, if you’re not a Christian, there you sit, content in your decision. Which is why I want to offer a few reasons why you should still go to a Christian church.

Four reasons to go to a Christian church if you’re not a Christian

1. You might be wrong – You have to at least admit that something might have gone wrong in your decision making process. Maybe you never heard the real thing. Maybe you made some faulty assumptions. Maybe it was a time in your life where you were angry at God—whoever you thought he was—for bringing suffering into your life. But, maybe you were wrong. Why not attend church to be sure?

2. Christians deal with matters of the soul, matters of eternity Say what you will about Christians, they are still people who take a serious interest in matters of eternity. You may think right now there is nothing beyond death but dirt. You may think all will be well for you if you live by good morals. Christians believe neither of these things but still are deathly sober about their souls. Why not go to church and listen to someone speak clearly about eternity rather than anesthetizing your vague suspicion that there might actually be life after death?

3. Jesus wanted you to see his followers. – Jesus was very clear that his plan was to continue his ministry through his people. They are a mess at best. But they still believe some pretty refreshing things about community, caring for one another, and caring for others. By going to church you’ll get to see first hand a faith community that has literally changed the world.

4. You will be pursuing intellectual integrity. – If you are going to deny the truth claims of Christianity you owe it to yourself to consider them in full. Jesus didn’t pull punches. He said so many outrageous things that they are either true or aren’t. As CS Lewis said,

   “One must keep on pointing out that Christianity is a statement which, if false, is of no importance, and, if true, of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important.”

I hope to see you this Sunday. And if not this Sunday then maybe the next. After all, what do you have to lose?