Is Church Attendance Important for a Christian?

[iLOVE]

Why or why not?

 

[jasonc]

It's important to be at church but it's not a check list.

I was at church twice this week,check
I was praying too,check

 

[stovebolts]

I think it's important because it's the only time during the week where you can worship with fellow believers.

 

[Free]

It's important because the Bible says it is.

 

[iLOVE]

It's important because the Bible says it is.

Can you post the scripture.

 

[stovebolts]

Can you post the scripture.

Most people reference Hebrews 10: 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, Hebrews 10:25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

 

[LovethroughDove]

Hebrews 10:24-25
This is the only scripture that leans towards meeting with other believers. But, it doesn't say in a church building.

I don't see church service on here either, but spur one another toward love and good deeds.

Basically encouraging one another through the Spirit to live out our Christian lives before the world.

 

[stovebolts]

Hebrews 10:24-25
This is the only scripture that leans towards meeting with other believers. But, it doesn't say in a church building.

I don't see church service on here either, but spur one another toward love and good deeds.

Basically encouraging one another through the Spirit to live out our Christian lives before the world.

In the time Hebrews was written, I believe they met at the synagogue's on Saturday and then again on Sunday at the homes of other believers. Nowhere in the NT do you see any indication of the use of musical instruments for worship, yet we do not prohibit musical instruments in our worship.
What I am trying to cut off quickly, is the idea that if it's not in scripture explicitly, it's forbidden or bad. I don't think there is anything wrong with assembling in a building, as long as we recognize that no building is the church. The Church are those in Christ, and it doesn't matter where they assemble, either at their homes, or in a building.

 

[Free]

Can you post the scripture.

StoveBolts posted the passage I had in mind but it really is the entire NT. We have the example of Jesus' discipleship; numerous examples of the early church meeting regularly; the fact that the epistles are largely letters written to specific churches; the giving of spiritual gifts for the edification and building up of the church (note especially pastoring and teaching); that Christians are called the body of Christ; that Christians are sons and daughters of the Father, that is, a family.

Everything about the NT implies that Christians are to be meeting together regularly, with Hebrews stating it explicitly.

 

[for_his_glory]

Going to Church (organized assembling) just for the sake of being in one has nothing to do with our personal relationship with Christ. Personally for myself I have not found any other Church in my area that I would associate myself with since the last one I was a part of that had to close its doors. As far as not forsaking the assembling I do assemble sometimes with friends as we share with each other, and also assemble with those of CF that I consider part of my Christian family even though we might never meet face to face, but do share with each other.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

As a Christian I think it's important, but I don't think it's important to the degree that a Christian has to go to church, or is skimping on their faith if they miss a Sunday (or Saturday sometimes). It's important in my opinion be cause it strengthens us to stay closer to God instead of slipping away from Him and be more apart of the world. And it's important for those we meet with so that we can strengthen and encourage eachother.

For me personally going to church is even more important, because I have a work schedule that keeps me away from being able to be apart of bible studies, or meeting with people through out the work week. For me church is when I can be strengthened by other Christians, and hear a sermon that hopefully feeds me spiritually.

 

[Christ_empowered]

I think its ideal, but not always feasible. I'm severely mentally ill and stigmatized in this community. I've had bad experiences with "church people" mistreating me because...Christians are people, too, and churches grow out of communities.

 

[stovebolts]

I really got to thinking about this subject, and as another member already mentioned even this forum is a way is assembling.
Odd, I actually feel closer to a few members on this forum than I did at my old church. I can always count on somebody around here to lift me up, keep me straight or just have a good conversation with.

 

[Malachi]

But, it doesn't say in a church building.

Well if a home get's too crowded, where else would you meet? It can be any structure which is regarded as a public meeting place. The building is not the church, but the ones meeting within it are the church.

 

[Malachi]

keep me straight

Stove bolts are not meant to get out of shape.

 

[stovebolts]

Stove bolts are not meant to get out of shape.

Ohhhhh trust me, I get out of shape more than I like to admit.

 

[Mike]

What about using the early Church as described in Acts as the model of what believers ought to want to do. I believe when we are in union with the Lord, we are naturally inclined to be in communion with each other. Baptism might not be entirely necessary, but what is holding the believer back from what we see modelled throughout the New Testament?

Acts shows us how the early Church pulled together, and Hebrews warns us not to stop meeting together. In my opinion, there is a disconnect if you have no interest in worshipping along side with each other. We should want to commune, we should want to be baptized, we should want to do good works. Instead of "do we have to", shouldn't we be asking why we don't want to?

 

[stovebolts]

What about using the early Church as described in Acts as the model of what believers ought to want to do. I believe when we are in union with the Lord, we are naturally inclined to be in communion with each other. Baptism might not be entirely necessary, but what is holding the believer back from what we see modelled throughout the New Testament?

Acts shows us how the early Church pulled together, and Hebrews warns us not to stop meeting together. In my opinion, there is a disconnect if you have no interest in worshipping along side with each other. We should want to commune, we should want to be baptized, we should want to do good works. Instead of "do we have to", shouldn't we be asking why we don't want to?

I think the why we don't want to may just be because the church is loosing her saltiness. What should be a response to the gospel (baptism), has become a dry rite with more disclaimers on what it isn't, than what it is. Same with communion.

 

[Mike]

I think the why we don't want to may just be because the church is loosing her saltiness. What should be a response to the gospel (baptism), has become a dry rite with more disclaimers on what it isn't, than what it is. Same with communion.

I hear what you're saying, but it seems to me that most often when people are bent on not going to church, it's because they are takers, not partakers. They don't feel the church they're going to does this or that for them. Instead of being vertically minded, they are inwardly focused on what they get out of it.

Certainly not everyone. That would be an unfairly broad brush. But I believe when exhaulting God is the primary focus, we benefit as does the community we're worshipping with. Sure there are bad churches, but most of us live in areas where there are options. If you're not demanding more than you expect from yourself, you can usually find a good community that God us calling you to.

 

[stovebolts]

Good points Mike