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Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together - Hebrews 10:25
If church attendance is not the same as righteous living or serving God, then why am I in favor of a traditional (conventional) church with a variety of services? If I am not going to obligate myself to attend all those services, then why am I in favor of them?
The answer to that question is very simple and should not be hard to understand. I think we should have them as an outreach (ministry) of the church. Because of the different age groups and lifestyles of the people, the church becomes their family and a source of encouragement. Some people have lost their mates and never had any children; they need friendship and social interaction with other people. Even if it is a small number, I would be in favor of Sunday evening services and mid-week prayer meetings.
The problem comes when we try to make it mandatory for all the members to attend the stated meetings of the church. God does not command it, and nowhere in His Word does He demand it! When church leaders begin to impose church attendance, the giving of tithe to the local church, or a strict dress code, they are putting their laws above the Word of God.
The local church that truly wants to grow, will allow freedom, and focus on the elements of worship in the early church which had its formation in the church age. The preaching and teaching of God's Word, corporate prayer (God-glorifying), and singing of hymns (songs), should be a part of the Sunday morning worship service. This is why the church is gathered together, to worship our God. When we begin to add legalism (telling people what to do) like the Pharisees, we quench the Spirit of God.
Legalism brings division and stress; it also drives people away from the church. Auberon Herbert made this statement: "How can an act done under compulsion have any moral element in it, seeing that what is moral is the free act of a moral being." I love to take shopping carts back and help people with groceries; but if you make it mandatory, you take away my joy and reward. After helping one elderly woman, she made this comment, "Chivalry is still alive." That one comment made my day!
Several years ago, I discovered a recipe for fun-time ministry. You invite people over for food, games, and fellowship. Then mix thoroughly; the result will be people who have fun and want to come back. If you become legalistic and tell people what games to play, how to play those games, and the groups that should play together, you have a good recipe for disgruntled, unhappy visitors that may choose not to return. People are always attracted to freedom rather than tyranny.
I am sure this is true in the local church as well. If we become legalistic and impose unscriptural demands on people, we can actually be working against God like the Pharisees. He sent His Son that we might be free from sin and legalism. God never called us to be devoted to a local church, a missionary society, or making disciples. As Christians, we are to be devoted to Him and be conformed to the image of Christ. Romans 8:29 says, "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection."
Contact the author at: (thoughtsonword@gmail.com) if you have any comments or questions.
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Lyndon Stimeling, of Richfield, has been writing about faith and family for many years. He has self-published four books, Common Thoughts on The Word in 2016, Eye of a Needle in 2017, Common Thoughts on The Word II in 2019 and A Bridge Between in 2023. He has also had articles published in The Coming Home Journal and local newspapers and has written a children's book.