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Attending Church Benefits Brain and Body

Among my favorite blogs is one by pastor Charles Stone who earned a doctorate in neuroscience. His blogs often focus on brain-based issues. His most recent blog dealt with the neurological benefits of attending church services. I am sharing some of Charles’ thoughts, plus others.

   As a committed follower of Jesus, I’ve attended church services my whole life. My parents took me when I was a kid, but as an adult I wanted to attend church. Today I better go to church because I serve part-time on a church staff, First Baptist Church, Centre.

   Most believers understand that church attendance does (or should) help us grow spiritually. But did you know that God wired our bodies and brains to benefit from both attending church and developing a healthy spiritual life?   

   Neuroscientist Andrew Newberg notes that since the year 2000 more than 400 papers have been published each year on this topic. Consider these ways science shows us that church attendance benefits both brain and body. But first, 2 stipulations.

   First stipulation, I am assuming your church is a Bible-based, grace-filled place. If your church atmosphere is legalistic, harsh, and overall condemning, it can actually harm your body and brain.

   Second stipulation, these studies I mentioned in a previous paragraph don’t necessarily show a causal relationship (attending church causes such benefits). Rather, most of the studies show a correlation. That is, attending church and these benefits are closely related. Nevertheless, science continues to discover more body and brain benefits from living for Christ and being with His people.

   One, church attendance lowers our stress levels. The stress hormone cortisol is released by the adrenal glands that lie on top of our kidneys. Good stress (eustress) keeps us motivated and alert. But prolonged stress that keeps unhealthy higher cortisol levels in our body damages both it and our brains. Heart problems, a dampened immune system, and diminished memory result from prolonged stress. Church attendance, however, can decrease the stress response thus decreasing the amount of cortisol in your body.

   Two, oxytocin is one of the ‘feel-good’ brain chemicals (called neurotransmitters). If the church you attend is filled with kind and caring people, your brain will release this chemical helping you bond with others. Biblical community really is good for you.

   Three, church attendance can actually thicken your brain. One brain study discovered that those who place a high value on spirituality (though not necessarily tied to church attendance) showed thickening in some brain areas. Many other studies now show that reflective and contemplative spiritual practices grow several parts of your brain.

   Four, going to church lessens episodes of depression. A group of Canadian researchers discovered that those who attended church more regularly experienced less depression. They surmised that social support made the difference, resulting in people being more resilient.

   Five, church attendance might help you live longer. One study showed that attending church increased the lifespan for whites by an average of 7 years and potentially 14 years for African Americans. The more people go to church, the less likely they are to die sooner than those who don’t go to church.

   Six, church attenders, generally speaking, are healthier. Church attenders commit suicide less often, deal with pain better, have less cardiovascular problems, and recover quicker from surgery.

   Seven, church attendance provides companionship. You will meet some great people in churches. If you attend regularly, you will make friends, find godly mentors, and other like-minded people to be with.