What Are We Saying?

This timeless article about church attendance was written by M.N. Fox. It appeared in the June 17, 1982 edition of the Gospel Advocate.

A problem has developed throughout the brotherhood and is common in nearly all congregations. The problem is non-attendance at the evening services on the Lord's day and at the midweek Bible study. 

When you are tempted to neglect the evening services, seriously ponder what your absence is saying.

To the preacher, "You do not have anything worthwhile to tell me. It would be a waste of my time to attend a service and listen to your sermon. I know that you have been given a charge, 'to preach the word, be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine' (2 Timothy 4:2) but, I am not going to give you an opportunity to fulfill that charge!"

To the elders, "I do not respect your authority (Hebrews 13:17). You are not going to tell me what to do! I know that you have scheduled these services for the benefit of every Christian, yet I will not attend. I know these services are methods used by the elders to fulfill their responsibilities of feeding the church of God (Acts 20:28) yet the food you are offering is not palatable to me so I will not 'eat' of it. I know you 'watch for my soul' (Hebrews 13:17) but I am not as concerned as you."

To the members of the congregation, "I do not value your company; you have nothing to offer me, my associates of the world (1 Corinthians 15:13) are far more important to me than any member of the church." Furthermore, it is saying, " I really do not want to be a fellow citizen with you; I really do not want to be a part of the household of God" (Ephesians 2:19).

To our children, "I do not want to 'train you up in the way that you should go' (Proverbs 22:6). I really do not care if I provoke you to wrath or if I relinquish the responsibility of bringing you up 'in the nurture and admonition of the Lord' (Ephesians 6:4). I want you to realize that things of this world are very important because I know that if you treasure worldly things, your heart will be worldly (Matthew 6:19-20). I am not interested in my own spiritual growth; consequently, I am not interested in your spiritual growth (Hebrews 5:11-14). I plan to ignore the admonition to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord (1 Peter 3:18) and I would prefer if you did likewise!"

To the non-Christian, "I will be your brother in the world (John 17:14) because I believe that you are right in following the god of this world instead of the God of heaven (1 Corinthians 4:4). The entertainment and pleasures you offer are far more important to me than those spiritual blessings provided at the assembly. You are correct, the church has little to offer me, I will conform to the world" (Romans 12:2, 1 John 2:15-17).

To the Lord, "I will not make you King of my life (Revelation 15:3), I am not concerned about your body (Colossians 1:18) and I will not glorify you as King (1 Timothy 1:17). I do not appreciate your death on the cross of Calvary, I do not appreciate the better and lasting covenant that you have made possible; therefore, I will not submit to God nor to you as the reigning King" (James 4:7, 1 Corinthians 15:24).

These are serious matters! We may not intend to be saying so much by our negligence; but, it is a fact that we are!