OCCASIONALLY people ask me why I attend church. They think it is a waste of time and they wonder what I see in it.

In the past, people have attended church for a number of reasons: to join a club; to advertise their product, funeral directory or shop as part of marketing; they had to, parents bringing children, wives bringing husbands; it brought a cachet to go to church; they were predators, hence the need for safeguarding; to fill their time; or they were natural managers or politicians and found they could exercise their cravings.

None of these reasons are relevant. When asked why, I find that there are three reasons why attending church is not negotiable. These are given in the gospels.

The first is the fact that Yeshua (or Jesus, if you prefer the Latin version) was brutally and publicly killed - there is no doubt that he died. On the third day, he was found walking, talking, eating and continuing to do miracles.

Second, while he was on the Earth, he made people healthy. These were those who had birth defects, were physically ill or mentally challenged, people who were crippled and who were irretrievably lost to society with leprosy, even the dead. There was nothing he could not turn from sickness to health. There were over 27 miracles recorded in detail.

Third, he walked up a mountain with three apostles and had a conversation with two beings who were out of this world.

One might argue that one or two of these miracles were fortuitous, but all? As a trained professional engineer and a scientist, it is necessary to look at the facts and then take action. It is essential to find out about Yeshua and his teaching. Attending church is logical and sensible.

Alan Coode

Reader in the Parish of St Austell