Why do you go to church?

Today we had an interesting discussion during our priesthood meeting (i.e.our men's group at church because each of us holds the priesthood).  We talked about the talk Elder Niel L Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave to the church last October called Never Leave Him.

There are two major "warning signs" that he talks about: offended or ashamed.
I'll definitely recommend that you read the talk, listen to it, or watch the video for yourself, but a few thoughts came up for me when we were talking about it from my own experience.
First of all is that we can only be offended if we choose to be.  In English it is quite natural for one to say that "she offended me" or "that was rather offensive" but in reality the only way one can be offended is by choosing to take offence.  This does mean, nor would I advocate that we can just go around and say whatever we would like not matter how crude, crass, unkind, or insensitive to people, but it does mean that when someone says something that may initially rub you the wrong way you can either let it bother you and become offended, or you can choose to let it go.
I have a friend that, God bless them, has tried to let people people said or did be a reason for them not to come back to church.  I said to that person, and I say to you, dear reader, why do you go to church?
If you only go because people are nice to you and say kind things to you it will only be so long until someone says something that is rude or insensitive.  Perhaps you may think that this is a bit bold, but it is the case.  No one is perfect.  There may be a lot of people at church who are trying to be better people, follow Christ, repent etc, but none are perfect.  There may even be some people who just like to go, enjoy it, and aren't really actively trying to become better people.  I don't know, I'm not in charge of assessing such things, but it seems very possible. In any case I can guarantee that there will come a time that some will say or do something mean, rude, or insensitive.  It will most likely not be intentional, though it it may be.
Whatever it may be what will not coming back to church permanently hurt that other person, the body of the church in general, or your particular ward (congregation)? NO, it will not.
You may be missed by some, but even if you're not missed by anyone and who will it hurt the most?
Only you, should you choose to stay away.
Again I'll ask, do you go to church only if people are kind and nice?
Do you go to church only if people behave themselves and help your children in the way you want them to?
Do you go to church only if the Bishop (pastor) says thank you for your service?
Do you go to church only if the Relief Society (women's group) president seeks out your help for the next activity?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, I do not condemn you, but it will let you know something about yourself. You can choose to stay that way, or change is possible.
If you don't know why you go to church then perhaps you should ask yourself that question in a serious and considered way.
Phrased another way: will you let someone else stop you from going? Will you let fear of "what people might say" keep you away?  Will you let what someone else says or does control whether you worship, commune, praise, or covenant with God? If so then it's a good thing to know about yourself.  It's a good indicator of how things work for you in your spiritual path, at least right now.

I don't go to church because I love the people who are there and want to talk with them 24/7.  It' a plus to me that I do love them.
I don't go to church because I expect to be treated kindly or well. It's a plus that in my experience that does happen 98% of the time.
I don't go to church because of that crazy old lady who smells a bit funny to me and says strange things, but I have to admit I find it at least somewhat entertaining or annoying depending on the circumstances. I'm not going to let her stop me from going though.
I don't go to church because I'm perfect, or even that good of a person sometimes. I go because I know it's the right thing, I want to go, I want to be a better person.  I want to get to the place in my life where when I take the sacrament (communion) it's like being baptized, and at least for that moment I'm perfect in Christ and perhaps that might last more than a few seconds.