Poll: Church attendance

[sparkman]

Is corporate assembly part of the expectation that God has for a Christian?

Two points:

1. We are not talking about individuals with unusual circumstances such as being homebound or in an area where corporate
assembly is a severe problem.
2. We are not talking necessarily about a brick-and-mortar building....corporate assembly can happen in smaller groups, in
fact in many developing countries or Muslim countries this may not be possible.

The basic question is, can a mature Christian be a lone range Christian? What are the benefits of corporate fellowship? Is corporate fellowship about you, or is it about you sharing your spiritual gifts with others? What are the barriers to church attendance for some? What are the benefits of church attendance to you?

 

[sparkman]

Discussion questions:

Can a mature Christian be a lone ranger Christian?

What are the benefits of corporate fellowship?

What are the barriers to church attendance for some?

What are the benefits of church attendance to you?

Is corporate fellowship about you, or is it about you sharing your spiritual gifts with others?

Is online fellowship a suitable substitute?

 

[sparkman]

Is corporate assembly part of the expectation that God has for a Christian?

Two points:

1. We are not talking about individuals with unusual circumstances such as being homebound or in an area where corporate
assembly is a severe problem.
2. We are not talking necessarily about a brick-and-mortar building....corporate assembly can happen in smaller groups, in
fact in many developing countries or Muslim countries this may not be possible.

The basic question is, can a mature Christian be a lone range Christian? What are the benefits of corporate fellowship? Is corporate fellowship about you, or is it about you sharing your spiritual gifts with others? What are the barriers to church attendance for some? What are the benefits of church attendance to you?

I meant "lone ranger" Christian..

Another question: why do some individuals resist corporate fellowship so fiercely?

 

[Joidevivre]

Well, assuming I am a hand in the body of Christ, alone I would sure miss that foot or arm.

I would miss the physical expression of Christ to me through others, even though I would still have a wonderful relationship with Him. Being in fellowship with others is like the icing on the cake.

Even someone home-bound can have other Christians visit them and pray together. Luckily, my family that surrounds me is like a little loving church. They make me feel like I'm in church. They express Christ to me in so many loving ways.

I even have a group of a few friends who when we get together, I swear the angels sing. And Christ smiles.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Hebrews 10:25
not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

God says in the last days, we should be together even more than in NT times..

we will need it a lone wolf christian is in danger, he does not have the body to help him or her.

 

[sparkman]

Well, assuming I am a hand in the body of Christ, alone I would sure miss that foot or arm.

I would miss the physical expression of Christ to me through others, even though I would still have a wonderful relationship with Him. Being in fellowship with others is like the icing on the cake.

Even someone home-bound can have other Christians visit them and pray together. Luckily, my family that surrounds me is like a little loving church. They make me feel like I'm in church. They express Christ to me in so many loving ways.

I even have a group of a few friends who when we get together, I swear the angels sing. And Christ smiles.

Yeah..I was definitely trying to avoid throwing a guilt trip on anyone who has genuine problems. I went through a period where I had serious health issues that hindered my fellowship. It's good when other Christians prioritize their time to visit people in their fellowship who are unable to attend.

 

[notuptome]

Why see corporate worship and fellowship as onerous? Is it not a joy to gather in Gods house and worship with those of like precious faith?

Your heart attitude will dictate your outcome.

Is it Gods expectations or Gods blessings?

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[Grace777x70]

IS CORPORATE WORSHIP PART OF GODS EXPECTATION FOR CHRISTIANS?....the wording is skewed in my opinion....it's not a law or rule for us "to do".. BUT...it's a by-product of who we are. How could we not want to worship with others? I love to hear and watch others worship their Lord and King....It's more like "we get to" worship with others. Amen! It's a blessing!

There does seem to be seasons for some people too as Paul went away by himself ( presumed ) for 3 years in Arabia to learn about the revelation of Christ in us and us in Him.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

IS CORPORATE WORSHIP PART OF GODS EXPECTATION FOR CHRISTIANS?....the wording is skewed in my opinion....it's not a law or rule for us "to do".. BUT...it's a by-product of who we are. How could we not want to worship with others? I love to hear and watch others worship their Lord and King....It's more like "we get to" worship with others. Amen! It's a blessing!

There does seem to be seasons for some people too as Paul went away by himself ( presumed ) for 3 years in Arabia to learn about the revelation of Christ in us and us in Him.

I would not presume God sent anyone anyplace alone.. He never did that, Nor did paul in all of his missionary missions go alone,

 

[Grace777x70]

..when Paul went to Arabia..it was no missionary trip....the scriptures do not say if he was alone or not.......but I agree that the Lord's pattern is to be sent out to preach with others and not just yourself..

I would not presume God sent anyone anyplace alone.. He never did that, Nor did paul in all of his missionary missions go alone,

 

[Rudimental]

All worship is Gods expectation for all people.

Regardless to where it takes place. In a field. In a church.

For where two or three are gathered in the name of Jesus, He is there with them in their midst.

Matthew 18:20.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

..when Paul went to Arabia..it was no missionary trip....the scriptures do not say if he was alone or not.......but I agree that the Lord's pattern is to be sent out to preach with others and not just yourself..

I do not think he sent paul alone there either, He had to have someone with with to help him when satan tried to lie to him, He had to be discipled. We are not told who. But I would venture to say it would be someone who could help break paul f his pride.

 

[Grace777x70]

could be!....we can tell that Paul did really love people and felt abandoned a few times when he was thrown into prison...he didn't like to be alone...but then again...who truly does?

 

[Blain]

well in all honesty it varies with different people. a while back my church was cc I just never could find that church for me.
The thing is though there were times that even if I had a church to call home I would seclude myself to be with God for long periods of times weeks even months but even those times have their limits. I don't believe getting together is something God demands but think of it this way, if say you are online dating and you really like this person will you not eventually have the urge to meet face to face? to spend time together to talk and get to know each other?

It's human nature to make physical contact no matter how often we see and speak to each other on a computer it is never the same as being there face to face in the same way we as believers are drawn to each other, I can't tell you how many times I wished I could meet many of you face to face. Of course some are anti social for various reasons in which case cc is a fantastic choice for them.

 

[john832]

It ain't complicated...

Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

 

[ForthAngel]

I know a lot of Christians who make an excuse for not going to church. Too many hypocrites is the number 1 go to excuse for not going to church.

I even resist sometimes. I have pretty severe anxiety and so it's not always a pleasant experience for me.

We need to be in fellowship with others believers though. For me personally, it keeps my thoughts on Christ and not other things. That in turn causes sin in my life to decrease substantially because I'm walking in the Spirit. On the other hand, if we aren't around a body of believers, we are by default around non-believers. We live and work in the world so this is inevitable. We know that bad company corrupts good morals, so I believe church attendance and being around the body of Christ as much as possible is a necessity.

1 Corinthians 15
33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

And this also from EG:

Hebrews 10:25
not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

I know a lot of Christians who make an excuse for not going to church. Too many hypocrites is the number 1 go to excuse for not going to church.

I even resist sometimes. I have pretty severe anxiety and so it's not always a pleasant experience for me.

We need to be in fellowship with others believers though. For me personally, it keeps my thoughts on Christ and not other things. That in turn causes sin in my life to decrease substantially because I'm walking in the Spirit. On the other hand, if we aren't around a body of believers, we are by default around non-believers. We live and work in the world so this is inevitable. We know that bad company corrupts good morals, so I believe church attendance and being around the body of Christ as much as possible is a necessity.

1 Corinthians 15
33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

And this also from EG:

[/B][/I]

to add.. TV evangelism is not church,,

Church is not about just being taught the word of God. it is about the whole council of God.

While I agree. some are sick and can not make it to church possibly. The church needs to go to them, or get them, and fellowship It is needed for everyone.. I think the church has failed some people in this area.

But most of the time, I think this is just an excuse

 

[ForthAngel]

to add.. TV evangelism is not church,,

Church is not about just being taught the word of God. it is about the whole council of God.

While I agree. some are sick and can not make it to church possibly. The church needs to go to them, or get them, and fellowship It is needed for everyone.. I think the church has failed some people in this area.

But most of the time, I think this is just an excuse

Totally agree. I'm all for a local church body and believe it vital to our relationship with Jesus. And this is a good point about churches going to those who can't make it. Something I really haven't seen much of.

 

[crossnote]

..when Paul went to Arabia..it was no missionary trip....the scriptures do not say if he was alone or not.......but I agree that the Lord's pattern is to be sent out to preach with others and not just yourself..

To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. (Gal 1:16-17)

That is a close call, I have always taken it that his trip into Arabia was alone...but then again they didn't have El-Al and travelling may have been quite dangerous alone.

 

[crossnote]

Our walk is more meaningful when it is shared.