Page 41 - Principles for Discipling Others-Student textbook

The Habit of Going to Church Every Sunday is an Act of Worship to God

All Christian people ought to go to church every Sunday unless hindered by sickness or
necessary work, or necessity of some kind. It ought to be a matter of conscience and an
act of worship. The churches are the most important institutions in any community. The
Sunday services are the church’s principal way of doing its work; it is the event of the
community life. Nothing ever happens in any community as important to the life of the
community as the regular Sunday worship services. Every community ought to love its
churches and, at this appointed time, turn out, en masse, to honor Him in whose name
the church exists.

What it would Mean

Assuming the pulpit to be faithful, and the services what they ought to be, if the churches were filled
every Sunday the community would take notice, evangelistic work of the church would be done, and
financial problems would be solved. The whole church program would be advanced. It is the one thing
that would make the churches strong; the one thing on which depends the solution of the problems
facing Christianity. If all Christian church people would stir themselves up to be faithful in this one
fundamental Christian duty it would set forward the influence of the church, and the Christ for whom
the church stands, more than all the rest of the things the churches are doing put together.

What the Church is for … To hold Christ before the people!

The church was not invented by men. Men have used it and misused it. But the church was founded by
Christ. Christ is the heart of the church, and it’s Lord. The church exists to bear witness to Christ. Christ
himself, not the church, is the transforming power in men’s lives. The mission of the church is to exalt
Christ, so that He, Himself, may do His own blessed work on the hearts of men.

The Church’s Method .. Meeting together in the name of Christ.
The word “Church” means a “Called Out Assembly, a “Congregation,” those who “Come
Together.” In order to do His work on men’s hearts Christ must be often in their minds. So, church
meetings need to be frequent.

How Frequent? Weekly: First Day of the Week (at least!) Some churches meet on
Sunday evening and on Wednesday night. Frequency of church gatherings are usually determined by
pastors, deacons, and other church leaders and by the presumed needs of the church. Usually spiritual
growth is relative to the regularity and consistency of the church members in attendance to scheduled
church gatherings.

Method Weekly “coming together to honor the Savior.” The advent of radio, TV,
the internet, computers, and cellphones have led Christians to stay home and listen to sermons and/or
church services at home. But these will never do away with the need for the church. God’s plan is for
Christians to meet together and honor His name together.

Present Pitiful Situation Normally, Sunday morning attendance should be nearly a hundred per cent of
church membership. But if Sunday morning congregations were counted and averaged, for every Sunday
in the year, winter and summer, good weather and bad, it would probably be found that the average

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