Twelve Bible Reasons for Church Attendance

J. R. Bronger
September 3, 2000

Each congregation of which I am aware has the problem of non-attending members. That is, there are some who claim to be Christians who consistently refuse to assemble when the church gathers to worship God. You know the ones! They show up a couple times per month. They slip in about the time Bible class is dismissing and sit near the back of the auditorium. Just as soon as the final "amen" is said, they bolt from the building like they just got word their house was on fire. These are the busiest people on earth, and they just don’t have the time to worship like everybody else. "Anyway," they say, "God doesn’t say that I have to be back on Sunday night or Wednesday night."

Oh yes He does! The Bible reveals several reasons for Christians to attend the assemblies of the church.

I am commanded to assemble with the saints: Heb. 10:25 says, "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." If I do not attend, this command is broken.

I am commanded to break bread steadfastly (regularly) on the first day of the week: Acts 2:42 says, "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." See also Acts 20:7. If I do not attend, this command is broken.

I am commanded to give as I have prospered upon the first day of the week: 1 Cor. 16:2 says, "On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper." If I do not attend, this command is broken.

I am commanded to sing with God's people: Col. 3:16 says, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." If I don't attend, this command is broken.

I am commanded to pray with God's people: Acts 2:42 says, "They continued steadfastly . . . in prayers." If I don't attend, this command is broken.

"It pleased god by the foolishness of preaching to save those that believe." See 1 Cor. 1:21. I must give attendance to the preaching of God's word. If I don’t, this truth is denied.

I am commanded to be an example to others: 1 Tim. 4:12 says, "Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct" If I do not attend, I am setting a bad example and this command is broken.

I am commanded to let my light so shine before men that they may see my good works and glorify god: See Mt. 5:16. If I don't attend, my light is dimmed and this command is broken.

I am commanded to bring my children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord: See Eph. 6:4. If I do not attend, I am neglecting my children’s nurturing and this command is broken.

I am commanded to be ready unto every good work: See Titus 3:1. Non-attendance is a "bad" work, so if I do not attend, this command is broken.

I am commanded to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord: See 1 Cor. 15:58. If I do not attend, this command is broken because I am engaging in the work of the world.

I am warned against neglect: See Heb. 2:1–3. Whenever we neglect the assemblies of the local church, we are breaking this command of God.