Maybe you've hear that. Maybe you've even said it. A difficult experience with organized religion sometimes leads people to this point of view. Or perhaps it's just the sign of times when everyone wants to do their own thing, even spiritually.

And it is true. You don't need to belong to a church to be a Christian - in the same way you don't need to be on a team to be a baseball player.

At any moment, a player may find himself with no team to play for, for all sorts of reasons: injuries, cuts, contract disputes. In the same way, Christians might not be in church, and often the reason is money. Or maybe they feel injured by some of the other members.

But when a Christian sees no reason at all for church, he's forgetting two important factors:

1. Christianity is a team sport.
It's all about the good news that Christ's forgiveness has healed our broken relationship with God. This is not an individual gift, but something that the Lord accomplished for the whole of mankind. This is something to share with everyone? Believers are on the same team and seek community with other "players." They always have.

Churches are the teams where the great "one another's" happen: Love one another. Serve one another. Build one another up. Carry one another's burdens. And when we fail to do those things, there's one more: Forgive one another.

2. As a Christian, you need your teammates.
What would you say to a ballplayer who thought he was talented enough to win a game single-handedly?

Has there ever been a team of selfish superstars that has been able to win the championship without playing together? And would there be any egofilled pro foolish enough to think he could play all 9 positions at the same time?

Just like players on a team, we Christians need each other. Sometimes we need encouragement. Sometimes we need instructing. Sometimes we need a pat on the back. And yes, sometimes we need a kick in the pants (lovingly administered). But no solitary Christian can get through the game of life playing it alone. We just can't make it.