A while back I read a few articles dealing with church attendance. Two really caught my attention. The first one was a survey done by a Research Firm which asked nearly 1000 regular churchgoers if they agreed or disagreed with the following statement: “I would skip a weekly worship service in order to watch my favorite football team.” Of the respondents, 83% disagreed – 68% strongly – with the statement. The conclusion of the interviewers was that, “Most regular churchgoers put divine revelation ahead of division rivalries.” The second article dealt with a list of 10 reasons a Pastor listed for why their church still has Sunday evening services. The reasons included, “People lack knowledge of God’s way, God’s Word and relationship with its Author; We are commanded to assemble and to exhort one another ‘so much the more as we see the day approaching’; Home study approaches are often less attended than corporate services; There is a cost to discipleship; It’s a unique time for preaching that is tailored for Christians; Sunday evening allows for a full ‘family-style’ gathering as a congregation.”
After reading the respective articles, especially these two, I was left with the interrogative question, “[Why] do people attend church services {albeit, Sunday morning, Sunday evening, Wednesday evening}?” Sadly, for some, attending church service is only done for a couple of reasons: 1) To socialize, to keep up on the latest gossip, and to see what others are saying about them should they be absent; 2) Tradition and family dictates that they are in service (at least) Sunday morning. It used to be that Saturday was considered to be the “family” day and Sunday was considered to be the “Lord’s” day. Unfortunately, sporting events (and other family activities) became too numerous for the family on Saturday and thus, the games and other activities spilt over into Sunday. This left a major conflict for the family on Sunday: get the family to church or get the family to the game / activity. Churches have also had to deal with the problem in that many have foregone Sunday evening services; reasons given: it‘s hard for folks to make it back to Sunday evening services; families need “family time” if they are going to be strong church members; thus, Sunday / Wednesday evening services have become unimportant.
So, [why] should people attend church services? The reasons should first be premised upon bringing honor and glory unto the Lord. Secondly, exhorting one another should be paramount. Lastly, and just important as the other two reasons, is that we receive knowledge of God’s way, God’s Word and to strengthen our relationship with its Author. Note the following Scriptures.
Exodus 34:14,
“For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:”
Matthew 17:5,
“While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”
Isaiah 55:8-9,
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Psalms 95:6,
“O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.”
1 Corinthians 6:20,
“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Likewise, we need to learn what it means to “exhort one another”.
Hebrews 3:13,
“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
Ephesians 5:19-21,
“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
And be reminded…
Hebrews 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.”
Finally, it’s your turn to respond, “Why do [you] attend church services? What motivates [you]?”
