I Don't See Why I Have to ATTEND Church (Post #76)

"However, avoiding such an assembly (or any gathering for that manner) leads to one of the most dangerous places for people of faith, isolation. When we are isolated, the highest voice we hear is our own."

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Times have changed. 
 
And as times have changed, people have changed as well. For example, I was having a conversation with a loved one about the differences between the older and younger generations. We contrasted the elders of today, from the ones we remember from our youth. We discussed how community discipline was more prevalent back then and how it had seemingly gone away. As we pondered on why this was the case, I responded, "It's not so much the elders have changed, as much as it is, the mindset of the new generation has changed.

Times have changed. 
 
We live in an era where parents are more disturbed by the person disciplining their child than they are with the problematic behavior.  
 
Times have changed. And as times have changed, people have changed as well.  
 
I could state this fact concerning just about anything. However, one of the most significant indicators of this change is seen in the examination of modern-day church attendance. Gone are the days of unconditional church attendance. We live in a new era. An era that sincerely questions the reason why participation is even meaningful. In the minds of many, the benefits of their physical presence are hard to gather. And this thinking is not only resonating in the brain, it's also impacting the Church.

"As we pondered on why this was the case, I responded, "It's not so much the elders have changed, as much as it is, the mindset of the new generation has changed.

The Pew Research Center conducted a study in 2018, asking "Why Americans Go (and Don't Go) to Religious Services."  Here is an interesting excerpt from that study.  
 
"Overall, the single most common answer cited for not attending religious services is "I practice my faith in other ways," which is offered as a very important reason by 37% of people who rarely or never attend religious services. A similar share mention things they dislike about religious services or particular congregations, including one-in-four who say they have not yet found a house of worship they like, one-in-five who say they dislike the sermons, and 14% who say they do not feel welcome at religious services."
 
The final 14% is our fault (talking to people of faith), and we must deal with that in a post very soon. However, the most alarming point in this study is that 37% note that they practice their faith in other ways. However, whatever the alternative, this alternative doesn't provoke them to be a part of a community.

​One should note that these studies are not just Christian in nature. The site provides reporting imagery for its findings (one such image can be seen below).

Is this a trend that has negative implications for our future? Obviously, yes, it does. Faith-based communities are seemingly on the decline, while secular societies with positive or negative agendas certainly see significant growth.  
 
I think if we're ever going to make any headway in this subject, we're going to have "rethink" how we view church attendance. I personally believe that it matters, and here are just 6 reasons why:
 

• It's not about what you need; instead, it's about who needs you. One of the most telling signs for attendance decline is that many people feel that they personally don't get much out of it. That the attendee doesn't feel fulfilled by his or her entry. While this thinking is conventional and even understandable, it causes us to miss the entire picture and purpose of Kingdom contribution, as issued by the Head of the Church Himself. The Bible says in Matthew 20:28, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many." (NLT) In other words, the need to be there changes, if we think less about our own benefit, and instead consider how our gifts, talents, and presence can bless others. The secular world already gleans from your gifts, please allow the growing believers to do so as well.  
• There is no replacement for community. Make no mistake about it, we all need somebody. With every community, there are expectations of communal beliefs and benefits that make greater impact in number than they do individually. The Church is no different. In this Body, we come together to encourage one another to abstain from sin, maintain faith, grow in love, study the Word, and worship God. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 "(9) Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. (10) If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble." (NLT)
• Praise and purpose are both naturally contagious. The New King James Version of the Bible says in Psalms 34:2, "My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad." The term "humble" here is misleading to the novice reader. When the word is studied, it means the oppressed and the downtrodden. The Contemporary English Bible gives a more comprehensible read when it says, "With all my heart, I will praise the LORD. Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad." The point he makes is that even in a negative mindset, being surrounded by positivity, praise, and worship, can have an incredible impact. Spirits are lifted, hearts are encouraged, and minds are refocused by no more than being in the assembly of the faith.  
• Missing attendance leads to isolation, and isolation kills. As we've established before, community has power and encouraging capability. However, avoiding such an assembly (or any gathering for that manner) leads to one of the most dangerous places for people of faith, isolation. When we are isolated, the highest voice we hear is our own. In many instances, the voice in isolation is troubling. The American Psychological Association posted an article called "Social Isolation: It Could Kill You." In it, it says that "…loneliness has been found to raise levels of stress, impede sleep and, in turn, harm the body. Loneliness can also augment depression or anxiety." Making church attendance a part of your weekly routine can positively impact this. 
• Because God told us to do so. While I could (and should) say that this is the only reason that matters, the decline in church attendance, causes us to question the level of weight that God's Word carries in the 21st century. The Bible says in Hebrews 10:23-25, "(23) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (24) And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, (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." (NKJV) In all fairness, this should be enough, and the fact that it isn't enough is largely an indicator of the ultimate problem.
• We grow in our faith better together. Faith is already challenging; however, it becomes an even more overwhelming challenge when we attempt to reconcile it on our own. I love the story of Philip and the eunuch in the Book of Acts. In this narrative, Philip asked the eunuch whether or not he understood the Scriptures he was reading. I will forever love the humility found in the eunuch's answer when he said this in Acts 8:31, "How can I, unless someone instructs me?" And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him." (NLT). I believe that many of the barriers that keep us out of the church could be removed if we connected in fellowship with people in the church.

 
I pray you'll begin to see church attendance differently. You need to be there. People who need your gift need you to be there. We grow better when you're there. Isolation fails when you're there. And if you're in South Florida, I'd love for you to join me there (click here for more on where I serve).
 
Thanks for your time. Comment. Subscribe. Share. 
 
Imperfectly,

Kevin D. Jones, Sr.

Author and Publisher of Perfectly Imperfect Perfectionist
(@kevindjonessr)
(@imperfection360)