Pastor's Update
Is Church Attendance Necessary?
By Rev. Dallas E. Henry
May 30, 2008 - 10:00:00 AM

1 Timothy 3:14-3:15

Considering the lax attitudes of many religious people today, it would be easy to conclude that church attendance is optional or perhaps only for those who are very religious and extremely dedicated to their faith.  This is especially true in New England.  Membership rosters in most churches, compared to actual numbers in attendance, usually tell the story of people's attitude.  According to God's word, church attendance is not optional.  The Bible and common sense teach us that church attendance is not just a smart thing, it is a necessary thing.  It's the beginning of growing up in the Lord.  Church attendance is not man's idea.  The Church is a creation of God.

Not Forsaking
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near." (Heb. 10:23-25)

These words were written to people who were close to losing their faith in Christ.  Something had to be done. Some of them were habitually forsaking the meetings of the church. The Hebrew writer came right to the point.  He told them not to forsake the assembly.  Look closely at the verses.  Notice that church attendance has to do with holding fast without wavering, stimulating ourselves and others to love and good deeds, and encouraging one another.  Those who forsake the assembly of believers exhibit the very opposite tendencies.  They waver in their faith (some fall away from it), they stimulate no one to love and good deeds, and they get increasingly more discouraged in their faith.  One cannot say that he or she lives by the teaching of the Bible and then willingly forsake the assembly of Christians.  Staying away from Church is actually disobedience.  It could be considered rebellion.

Pillar and Support
"I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; but in case I am delayed, I write so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth." (1 Timothy 3:14-15)

The church is the "assembly" of God's people.  Notice its role in the above verses.  It is "the pillar and support of the truth."  If you take away the church, you take away the pillar and support of the truth in your life.  Collapse of faith is inevitable.  One cannot forsake the assembly and stay strong in the faith.  Being part of the church provides spiritual nutrition.  Being cut off is like a part of one's body being cut off.  If you cut off your finger and do not have it re-attached, the cut off finger will die.  The principle is true with the spiritual life of a person who refuses to become part of a local church.

This Do In Remembrance
"And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."  (Luke 22:19)

This command of Jesus refers to communion or the Lord's supper.  The early church, directed by the Apostles of Jesus, met regularly for communion.  The one who forsakes the assembly disregards this command.  Elsewhere Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves." (John 6:53)  While some might argue that this does not refer directly to the Lord's supper, where else is the eating of His flesh and drinking His blood fulfilled in the Christian walk?  He who forsakes the assembly forsakes the remembrance of the Lord'' supper.  It isn't long before the outcome of "no life" becomes a reality.

They Keep Watch
"Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you."  (Hebrews 13:17)

A responsibility of church leaders is to keep watch over the souls of church members.  These leaders will someday give an account for their work.  Such work is difficult enough when Christians assemble regularly and are in contact with one another.  Can you imagine the complication when members are seldom or never present?  If church leaders are expected to assume responsibility for such oversight, church members need to assume responsibility for regular attendance.  Members who chronically forsake the assembly with no good reason not only lose blessings, they lose the blessings of others that can be shared as Christian brothers and sisters gather.  Remove a fish from the water.  He may flop around on the shore for awhile, but ultimately he dies.  Remove a coal from the fireplace.  It glows for awhile, but ultimately it dies.  Remove a Christian from the assembly of other Christians.  Though he may continue in faith for awhile, ultimately he dies.  Sometimes, without Christ!

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WHAT TO DO
Anyone who has forsaken the assembly of Christians, should be encouraged to take these steps:

1. First of all, repent to God for being rebellious.

2. Decide to return immediately.  Let church leaders know of your decision.  Make this a once-for-all lifetime decision, not a weekly one.

3. Adjust your schedule so that regular church attendance is a priority in your life.  If your work schedule conflicts, share your problem with church leaders.  They and the congregation can pray with you for a resolution of the conflicts.

4. Attend every possible meeting, regularly.  Church attendance is not an optional matter.  It is a way of life.  Make it a habit.  See you in church...