Participating with Jesus' Church Lowers Stress?
What if I were to tell you that simply being part of a local church family could lower your stress by nearly 40% and reduce loneliness by about 20%? That’s exactly what a recent study found. In fact, the researchers even said that “church might be one of the most effective wellness practices." While that might be surprising to some, it really shouln't be for the Bible-believing Christian.
Jesus says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). That rest doesn’t come from a program or a quick fix, but from exposing ourselves again and again to the truth of the Word. The Spirit is at work in the believer’s life, even as we struggle with sin and temptation, replacing it with God's peace where there was once anxiety and fear.
The study highlighted that “Bible reading on its own also makes a difference. Weekly Scripture engagement is tied to lower anxiety and stronger resilience, sometimes outperforming things like volunteering or catching up with friends. But the real shift happens when personal faith is combined with active participation in a church community—actually showing up, serving and building relationships.” That’s exactly what Scripture calls us to: “Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you” (Colossians 3:16) and “not neglecting to gather together… but encouraging each other” (Hebrews 10:25).
John Farquhar Plake, at the American Bible Society, put it plainly: “People’s lives improve when they engage with their church—not just attending, but using their gifts, developing relationships, and taking advantage of opportunities to grow spiritually.”
God has given us ordinary, simple means of grace that are often overlooked but deeply powerful. Bible reading, prayer, and being part of the body of Christ are not just duties but lifelines of God's immeasuarble grace.
While the study points to reduced stress, we know it’s more than that. It’s heart transformation. It’s the Spirit applying the gospel in our lives through the ordinary rhythms of grace something that the world cannot offer. Only Christ can.
So let’s press into these means this week, open your Bible, pray without ceasing, and lean into the fellowship of God’s people. As 2 Peter 1:3 reminds us, “His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness.”
Pastor Jordan