I have often heard it said, “you don’t have to go to church to be a Christian”. I agree, in the sense that going to church does not make anyone a Christian. But the issue is not really if you “have” to go, as much as it is that being a Christian makes you “want” or “desire” to be involved in the local church. One of my professors at bible college said it like this; “It is like saying I love you Christ – but I really don’t care for your bride.” Who could imagine saying something like that to Christ? From a heavenly perspective the church is the beautiful bride of Christ. From an earthly perspective, I would agree it is not perfect and will not be perfected until Christ returns. But it is God’s plan for his people to fellowship, worship, evangelize and pray corporately as well as individually and that is accomplished, at least in part, in and through the local, tangible body of Christ we call the church. I am teaching the youth tonight on the value of church attendance and participation. Truth is, in the end my teaching does not hold as much weight as parents and other leaders commitment does, in respects to this area of Christian stewardship. May we honor, love, and participate in the bride of Christ in such a way that we would never lead them to stray.
In Christ, Brother Scott ><>
Hebrews 10:24–25 (NASB95) 24and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25not 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.
Mark 9:42 (NASB95) 42“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea.
Some further humor, thoughts, and comments on church attendance …
Epigram On Church Attendance
“Everybody has a reason for staying home from church—even those who are here.”
- Some people think a 30-minute sermon is too long, so they substitute a 300-column Sunday paper.
- The reason why people miss church when it rains is the reason why we have church.
- Wanted: Men, women and children to sit in slightly used pews Sunday morning—Saratoga Congregational Church. In “Wanted” section of St. Charles, Minnesota, Press
- If absence makes the heart grow fonder, some people ought to love their church greatly.
- A man proudly said: “I went to church only 2 times in my life—the first time they sprinkled water on me, the second time they sprinkled rice.” A hearer added: “And the third time, they sprinkle dirt.”\
“Morbus Sabbaticus,” a terrible condition – though short lived…
“Morbus Sabbaticus,” better known as “Sunday sickness,” is a disease peculiar to some church members. The symptoms vary, but these are generally observed:
1. It never lasts more than twenty-four hours.
2. It never interferes with the appetite.
3. It never affects the eyes. The Sunday newspapers can be read with no pain. Television seems to help the eyes.
4. No physician is ever called.
5. After a few “attacks,” at weekly intervals, it may become chronic … even terminal.
No symptoms are usually felt on Saturday. The patient sleeps well and wakes feeling well. He eats a hearty Sunday Breakfast, then the attack comes until services are over for the morning. The patient feels better and eats a solid dinner. After dinner, he takes a nap, then watches one or two pro-football games on TV. He may take a walk before supper, and stop and chat with neighbors. If there are church services scheduled for Sunday evening, he will have another short attack. Invariably, he wakes up Monday morning and rushes off to work feeling refreshed. The symptoms may not recur until the following Sunday, unless another service is scheduled at the church during the week.
Why Should You Attend Church?
David declared that he was glad to “go into the house of the Lord” for worship (Ps. 122:1). Today, many Christians are glad to go into their church buildings to worship Christ, but a growing number are not. In fact, unprecedented numbers have become dropouts from church attendance.
Their reasons for quitting vary. But in light of David’s joy in coming before the Lord, it might help to consider reasons for maintaining church attendance:
• Because believers need help to reflect on the past week and see it as just as small part of the journey of life.
• Because they will benefit from being taught and led in worship by others, rather than feeding on a constant diet of their own choosing.
• Because they need regular reminders of their standing in Christ, help in acknowledging and confessing their sins, and teaching about God’s truths.
• Because they need to hear how believers in the past struggled, grew, and lived out their faith.
• Because they need to experience artistic and creative expressions of the faith, such as music, prayers.
• Because they will benefit from silence before the Lord once in a while.
• Because they need help to face the issues of life and faith as presented through the teaching.
• Because they need to hear about the experience of other contemporary believers.
• Because they need an alternative to the constant messages of a culture that ignores God.
• Because they need a conscious break from work and self-interests in order to concentrate on the Lord.
• Because they need to hear reminders of God’s love.
• Because they need help in praying.
• Because they need to belong to a community of faith that includes others who are trying to live out the gospel.[1]
[1] Word in life study Bible . 1997 (electronic ed.). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
