Can Attending Church Make You Healthy?

I recently read an interesting article in Parade magazine that referred to studies that revealed that people who attend religious services tend to be healthier than those who don't. Weekly churchgoers have a lower risk of death than those who never set foot inside a place of worship.

Research has found that prayer and meditation seem to be associated with improved immune systems.

The benefits extend to mental health as well. People who identify themselves as more religious reveal lower rates of depression. And there is a lower suicide rate among people who regularly attend religious services.

Churchgoers are also more socially integrated, which means they have more friends and a better support system to help them cope with stressful life events. This is one of the great benefits in building relationships with other Christians and is why we encourage everyone at our church to get connected in a small group.

The article concluded by saying, "Many researchers believe there seems to be a strong connection between the mind, the spirit, and the body. Improve one, and you have an effect on the other."

Since there are spiritual, physical and mental benefits to attending church services, I highly recommend it. Of course, as a pastor, you would expect me to say that. But I'm glad that science has confirmed what we pastors have known for a long time. If you want to be healthy in every area of your life, go to church!