Is Missing Church a SIN?

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

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.

Amen and I don't think we emphasize this enough in our movement.

[Scott Hutchinson]

If one is sick or is on vacation or has to work on sunday ,those would be legitimate reasons to miss church.If one attends a local assembly ,and just lays out of church, or something like that ,wouldn't that be forsaking the assembling together for corporate worship ?

[Rico]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

If one is sick or is on vacation or has to work on sunday ,those would be legitimate reasons to miss church.If one attends a local assembly ,and just lays out of church, or something like that ,wouldn't that be forsaking the assembling together for corporate worship ?

Brother, it all depends on how one defines assembling together. For some people that only means at church. For others it can mean getting together with the brethren in your home. For others it can mean tuning in to a service on tv or the internet.

[RandyWayne]

Brother, it all depends on how one defines assembling together. For some people that only means at church. For others it can mean getting together with the brethren in your home. For others it can mean tuning in to a service on tv or the internet.

And for others, it refers to three regular services a week plus youth night, prayer evening, and specially scheduled revival services.

A tale of two extremes: I had one pastor who would single people out for praise if they got married on a Saturday and showed up for church Sunday morning. Obviously they loved God too much to miss church!

Another pastor would WARN a couple about to get married on a Friday or Saturday that "I better not see you here Sunday morning!" with a subtle wink.

So yes, I have lived with the "be in the church when the doors are open" crowd as well as those who realize it's importance AND place.
(And of course I am talking about church services......)

[COOPER]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

And for others, it refers to three regular services a week plus youth night, prayer evening, and specially scheduled revival services.

A tale of two extremes: I had one pastor who would single people out for praise if they got married on a Saturday and showed up for church Sunday morning. Obviously they loved God too much to miss church!

Another pastor would WARN a couple about to get married on a Friday or Saturday that "I better not see you here Sunday morning!" with a subtle wink.

So yes, I have lived with the "be in the church when the doors are open" crowd as well as those who realize it's importance AND place.
(And of course I am talking about church services......)

Myth-Busted!

[RandyWayne]

They could have Tory, Kari and Grant perform some tests.

[MissBrattified]

Scripture says to "forsake not...assembling", but it doesn't say how often, with whom, with how many, etc. Sooooo...I think it is the motives of our heart and our reasons for missing that will factor into whether its a sin or not. I've known folks to be out of church every service for months because someone close to them was dying of cancer and needed constant care...but they were still faithful saints of God!

Staying away from church because you hold disdain for pastors and saints would be a poor reason...and indicative of heart issues that need to be resolved.

Staying away from church because you want to play video games instead of going to worship and being taught God's Word smacks of selfishness.

Staying away to spend time with family seems like an okay reason, but one must wonder...why not take your family to church and worship together?

Staying away because of illness...is understandable.

Staying away to rest is understandable...sometimes.

I suppose it depends on the reasons. And the overall picture of faithfulness...or lack thereof. And really, only God and the church-service-misser know for sure.

When a person suddenly begins to skip church, it can be a symptom of bigger issues, which sometimes (but not always) include sin.

Or it may be a symptom of nothing more than a worn out family provider working a 60 hour week and maintaining his home and family on the weekends and evenings. Or a mother of toddlers having a hard time balancing anything in her schedule, including church.

There are good reasons and bad reasons to miss church. You can't just say across the board that missing church is a sin...unless you just want to be hard to get along with.