Last week we began looking at the issue of Church Attendance. I said then that I'm calling for the members to be as regular in their attendance as possible. I encourage the same for the non-members as well. Today I want to try to address some of the reasons people attend less than they should. Before we get to it let me make a qualification.
In calling for regular church attendance, and warning against anything less, I am not rebuking those who miss church for legitimate reasons. If you are sick, it makes sense to stay home. If you have to work, it make sense to miss service. If you have to take care of a sick loved one, it makes sense to be absent. If you are travelling, it makes sense to be absent. And there are other justifiable reasons for missing church. When I give warning about missing church, I don't have the preceding examples in mind. The scenario of working on Sunday I plan to address more fully next week, since that is more complicated.
Let me give you just a brief review of the importance of church fellowship, and then we'll deal with some of the reasons people don't attend. |