Is Missing Church a SIN?

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Chewy

See, thats the thing, one person would say forsake not the gathering together of yourselves means you better be in church every time the doors are open or you are an outcast. Does "gathering together" mean weekly church, three services, one service or ? , or does this include barbques and picnics, and just asking a brother to go fishing with you?

What DOES the bible say about it?

Not forsaking...as the manner of some, means some people had/have a habit of missing meetings. So we are not talking about someone that misses an occasional service.

Secondly, the bible indicates they DID meet for regular weekly services. The bible gives no indication that church meetings was optional or that it was sporatic.

I have raised this issue many times before and the problem is that some just don't have any idea what it means to be the Church and that the reason WE come together is to edify one another. Going from that, that means a Christian is someone that is not consumed with themselves, does not go to church just when they feel a need or feel guilty for missing too many services.

I have to ask, if one does not believe the bible says we should attend church regularly, then why attend church at all? On what basis do they even go to church every now and then? Bible?

Again the bible gives two different pictures. One is of the church, that meets weekly. And those that have a habit of missing those meetings. At issue in this verse is not that it's a sin to miss a meeting, but those who have a habit of doing so

In fact if church is about exorting and exortation, I'd say they did this daily and it is commanded
Heb 10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
Heb 10:25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Heb 10:26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,


Heb 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Act 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
Act 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Act 2:47 Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

This obviously also included evangelism....it's safe to say that they did not go home and watch American Idol instead

[Rico]

I wasn't going to get involved too much on this thread, but there isn't much else going on right now, so I guess I will go ahead and put in my two cents.

Speaking as a labeled "forsaker", I can tell you that the internet has really changed what it means to go to church. The truth of the matter is that I can get just about everything I can get from physically attending services, via the internet. I can listen to preaching, participate in the giving, help spread the Gospel, join Bible study groups, enjoy fellowship with like minded believers (via places like AFF), get prayed for, etc. There is, however, one thing I can not get from the internet that I can get from attending a live service: experiencing corporate worship.

Hard as I have tried, trying to worship via the internet just doesn't work for me. In fact, the one thing that has driven me back to looking for a home church is the lack of worship in my life. There's just nothing like being there when the worship is happening. Yes, I can be blessed by watching a worship service via the web and raising my hands in the process, but it's just not the same. I've missed being part of a good worship service, which brings me to something I have wanted to share with AFF for the last week or so.

The last service I was in, Sunday before last, I witnessed something I have not seen in a long time. Those of you who have been following my posts know I have been visiting a local UPC church the last 3 weeks or so. Well, during this particular service they had one of the most beautiful exhanges with the Lord in worship I have ever seen. The choir got up to sing this song and I noticed that people started responding spontaneously to the song they were singing. Nothing was forced, no cheerleading or coaching from the pulpit, nothing like that. It was pure. I watched this thing build until it just overflowed into this exchange between the congregation and the Lord. I really can't describe it other than to say it was so pure, unscripted, and refreshing. Here's the crazy part: the pastor wasn't even there. He was out visiting somewhere else or something like that. Most of the churches I have been a part of I could tell a difference in the services when the pastor was there and when he was out of town. It just surprised me to see this. These people were giving to God of their own free will. It was an awesome sight to behold.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Rico

I wasn't going to get involved too much on this thread, but there isn't much else going on right now, so I guess I will go ahead and put in my two cents.

Quick, someone start a Christmas thread
















Just kidding

[Rico]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Quick, someone start a Christmas thread
















Just kidding

THAT DONE IT!! Where's my pistol?!?!?!?!?!

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Rico

THAT DONE IT!! Where's my pistol?!?!?!?!?!

lol

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Rico

I wasn't going to get involved too much on this thread, but there isn't much else going on right now, so I guess I will go ahead and put in my two cents.

Speaking as a labeled "forsaker", I can tell you that the internet has really changed what it means to go to church. The truth of the matter is that I can get just about everything I can get from physically attending services, via the internet. I can listen to preaching, participate in the giving, help spread the Gospel, join Bible study groups, enjoy fellowship with like minded believers (via places like AFF), get prayed for, etc. There is, however, one thing I can not get from the internet that I can get from attending a live service: experiencing corporate worship.

Hard as I have tried, trying to worship via the internet just doesn't work for me. In fact, the one thing that has driven me back to looking for a home church is the lack of worship in my life. There's just nothing like being there when the worship is happening. Yes, I can be blessed by watching a worship service via the web and raising my hands in the process, but it's just not the same. I've missed being part of a good worship service, which brings me to something I have wanted to share with AFF for the last week or so.

The last service I was in, Sunday before last, I witnessed something I have not seen in a long time. Those of you who have been following my posts know I have been visiting a local UPC church the last 3 weeks or so. Well, during this particular service they had one of the most beautiful exhanges with the Lord in worship I have ever seen. The choir got up to sing this song and I noticed that people started responding spontaneously to the song they were singing. Nothing was forced, no cheerleading or coaching from the pulpit, nothing like that. It was pure. I watched this thing build until it just overflowed into this exchange between the congregation and the Lord. I really can't describe it other than to say it was so pure, unscripted, and refreshing. Here's the crazy part: the pastor wasn't even there. He was out visiting somewhere else or something like that. Most of the churches I have been a part of I could tell a difference in the services when the pastor was there and when he was out of town. It just surprised me to see this. These people were giving to God of their own free will. It was an awesome sight to behold.

One time a group in our home friendship group and another brother, got together to watch the General Conf of the UPC over the internet, live.

We worshiped God and genuinely had ourselves a time in the Holy Ghost.

[stmatthew]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

I have raised this issue many times before and the problem is that some just don't have any idea what it means to be the Church and that the reason WE come together is to edify one another. Going from that, that means a Christian is someone that is not consumed with themselves, does not go to church just when they feel a need or feel guilty for missing too many services.

Prax, I enjoyed your whole post, but wanted to pinpoint this part, as you brought out something when you typed the word "WE". What folks do not understand is that "YOU" is not the Church, But Y"ALL" is. The Church is not 1 single person, but a corporate body of believers. To forsake coming together is like getting up some mornings and leaving your arm, or your ears, in bed for the day. You are incomplete without a time of local fellowship and breaking of bread (spiritual food). You must have ministry imparting into your life in order to grow up and mature to a usable state.

I know many may go through times for whatever reason that they have disconnected from a local assembly (building or house church), but this should be a temporary thing.

[Praxeas]

Thanks. I want to emphasize though, again, that church is not just about ministry imparting into your life. In fact I'd argue that we mis-use the term ministry to mean a preacher.

To minister is to serve and help. We are called to minister to one another. We have too many selfish Christians who think church is all about their needs and never about meeting the needs of each other. Church is about supporting one another and encouraging one another.

And you know what? I feel encouraged when I see my brothers and sisters praising God and supporting the word and praying for someone at the alter.

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by Barb

Okay, this is my humble, yet profound opinion...

There should be within the heart of every believer a desire to be in the house of God when ever possible. This desire will not allow any old thing or event to prevent them from being in service.

However, to make it a sin if a service is missed?! I don't see that at all.

The Scripture does say to forsake not the assembling together, but it does not say how often to assemble.

Some folks have two services a week...some three and some more...if it is set in stone, who is right here?!

No, I think that the abiding Spirit will direct and convict if and when we err in missing services. Pastors certainly will and should admonish re this, but making something a heaven or hell issue...

Listen, I remember when I was young that my parents NEVER missed. We didn't do vacations and were faithful in season and out...they would have ran through a burning building if the pastor had asked them to, and I'm grateful they felt that way...they raised us with that respect.

But there was one New Year's Eve that my folks decided to go to my unsaved grandmother's house in Dearborn for the holiday. Our pastor knew we were gone, YET when we came home, my sanctified grandmother who was in church that night, said that FROM the pulpit our pastor said that he hoped we could have a good time when we had missed service.

God rest his soul, I know he meant well and he was a good man, but I have never forgotten the hurt my parents felt...

Anyway, that's my view on this...

I endured sitting under a pastor that had about that same level of inteligence for many years Barb.
He's gone on to his reward now...God rest his soul too.

[stmatthew]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Thanks. I want to emphasize though, again, that church is not just about ministry imparting into your life. In fact I'd argue that we mis-use the term ministry to mean a preacher.

To minister is to serve and help. We are called to minister to one another. We have too many selfish Christians who think church is all about their needs and never about meeting the needs of each other. Church is about supporting one another and encouraging one another.

And you know what? I feel encouraged when I see my brothers and sisters praising God and supporting the word and praying for someone at the alter.

I agree. I started to use Preacher instead of Ministry, and then typed it anyway. I understand what you are saying though, as we are all called to minister to one another. The imparting should be both received and given. Holding up each other. A time when the strong encourage those that are struggling or weak. It makes me think about the gifts of the Spirit. From my understanding, the gifts are never self edifying (used on ones self). They are aways directed outward in a giving manner. Gods Spirit does not promote selfishness, but a giving out of ones self for another's edification.