"Missed you at Church..."

My first possibly man-made rule I thought of from Isaiah 29:13. Read HERE if do not know what I am talking about

For those who have grown up in the church, we have probably heard this or even said it before.

 "Missed you at Church."  Translation: "Where were you on Sunday that was more important than being at Church learning about God?" 

Sometimes the statement is truly "I missed you at church (because your my sitting buddy in the pew or isle and you were not there to hug)". However, more often than not, it's more of a suggestive, nosey statement that says tell me why you weren't at church. I have found some people (especially more so in the south) who get very offended if you do not attend church on a regular basis, and at one point of my life, I was that person. 

"You HAVE to go to church every Sunday! Its KEY to your faith!" really? Do we have too? Does it really affect our faith? What about people who have had terrible experiences in the church? (the stories I have heard are endless) Why can't people just learn about God in their homes, online, in their own bibles? Is attending church every Sunday mandatory for my faith?

What does the bible say about church? I was able to find many singular verses about church and of course Acts 2:42-47.

Here are two of the verses I found which are commonly reference to Church attendance and actually have a statement regarding "attendance"...

• Hebrews 10:24-25 "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
• Acts 2:42-47 "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common.  They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

(This search has actually spurred me on to define what Church is...future long blog post I assume)

Out of these two verses, what are some commonalities? 

     1. Being with people! 

They were meeting together to do these actions. Not alone!

     

     2. Its a habit.

Not only was it a habit but a regular occurrence. As in Acts it was a daily event! But is that church or is that simply fellowship with friends. I think this is church. A more exploration of the Bible's definition of church will be later posted. 

    3.  Thoughtful of others.

breaking of bread,  sharing and giving of possessions for those who NEED it, and thinking of how to motivate and encourage others towards good deeds. This could be a multitude of actions and words

   4. Bright affect (Emotion)

These two verse are uplifting, they are hopeful, encouraging one another. No judgement, only welcoming. Even if the future seems bleak or someone was in need, the verse promote teaching and sharing and fellowship.

   5. Its not a building!

Wait, what?! Yes they had a common meeting place but these two verse do not specifically reference a meeting place! The church is not a place, its not a beautiful building, it IS the people, it IS the congregation and the family focusing on learning and teach about God and sharing God's grace and love and resources to EVERYONE else.

So do I think church attendance is necessary...in God's original plan of what the church should be, YES. In what church is today, YES. Necessary for your faith, NO, Necessary for salvation, NO. Necessary to grow closer to God and to fulfill His plan? Yes!

God doesn't want you to attend church to check something off of a To-Do list.  I believe that God desires church attendance and church involvement because He made us social people. We were meant to have fellowship and a family that is focused on God and fulfilling His will. Showing and teaching others (ALL PEOPLE) about the grace and love of God! and we can not do this alone and even together we can not fulfill our mission perfectly. 

So I say, go to church. But don't just go to church, make a family within the church. Join a small group, find ways to support one another, or even help the community within your family. This takes action, this takes effort, this takes time, and this takes a part of your comfortable life. 

Here's another hint *No church is perfect, someone in a church will rub you the wrong way somehow...will that stop you from forming a family? Does God not have the power to give you strength and wisdom to love someone that makes you cringe?

Even though there is not such thing as a perfect church, I would suggest being involved in a church that does make you feel comfortable and loved. HERE is a small post that briefly mentions a terrible experience I had while visiting churches almost a year ago today... WOW has God grown me and my church family!

<3 div="" nbsp="">