Participating by attending

Throughout the Christendom era, "churchgoing" was an accurate description of how most people participated. Church was a sacred building they visited regularly or periodically, an event organized by professionals at which they were mainly passive spectators, or an institution to which they belonged since infancy and to which they could look when necessary for certain services. Church membership and civic membership were closely interrelated. "Going to church" was one of many activities shared with one's neighbors.

The Naked Anabaptist, pg. 98