A Revival of Commitment
"And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not 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." - Hebrews 10:24-25
In the few short years of my ministry, I've noticed a seismic shift in the attitudes of church members toward church attendance. Professing Christians increasingly operate as if church attendance is something worth participating in only if there aren't "more exciting" opportunities elsewhere. And those opportunities sure must abound! Every weekend there is something going on somewhere.
Periodic time away is healthy for everyone. I'm not arguing against that. What I want to do today is argue for the prioritization of church attendance. Consistent church attendance with your church family is one of the healthiest spiritual rhythms you can have.
Gathering with your local church is a witness to the genuineness of your commitment to Christ. A low commitment to church attendance communicates that other things are more important to us than public worship. Yes, you can worship on the golf course or the deer stand. But when you pull up to the country club on Sunday morning no one is thinking, "Oh, look, the Johnsons are going to worship this morning." In my first pastorate, one of my deacons shared the story of how he had some neighbors who were converted to Christ because after a decade or two of watching him head to church every Sunday with his family they asked themselves, “Maybe we are missing out on something?" Indeed, they were!
Gathering with your local church has missional importance. There are plenty of believers with the Bible knowledge and leadership gifts to serve in their local church but because they do not attend regularly, they're unavailable for service. If you don't attend your own church, you're sure not inviting others to attend with you. If you don't attend your own church you're sure not serving others in the body. The mission suffers when the church doesn't serve. I'm convinced the Gospel impact of many churches would increase simply if church members returned to regular attendance.
Gathering with your local church has ministry impact. Galatians 6:2 tells us to "bear one another's burdens." It's hard to do that from a distance. So much of our ministry in the church to one another involves personal relationships. Those relationships require time and proximity to grow. Yes, you can text someone you're praying. And yes, you can make a phone call. Those things matter. But it also matters that we spend time with our church family.
I'm a pastor, so, of course, I'm biased about this. But I learned to love the local church before I ever had a title or an official responsibility. The local church is where it's at! Love the Lord. Love His church. Build His kingdom.