Absenteeism will kill an organization. It will kill any congregation. It has been said that the most effective way to build up the church is to “attend it up.” Therefore, the members of a congregation must decide for themselves: “Do we really want this congregation to grow or do we wish it to die?” By one’s choice not to be faithful in attendance he or she is casting their vote for the local church to die. Is this really want you want – for the church to die?

Every member must feel a definite personal responsibility to the local congregation where they live. Ask yourself this question: If everyone was as faith in attendance as I am would there be anyone in attendance this coming Sunday for Bible Class, for evening worship, or for Wednesday night Bible Class. Do we not realize that it is this congregation that provides one’s family all the blessings of church membership – fellowship, edification, public worship, comfort, strength, encouragement, spiritual blessings, and etc.?

It is not so much a matter of attending “somewhere” as it is attending here. The congregation “somewhere” cannot minister to you when you are sick and bereaved, or assist you in difficult and trying times. The congregation “somewhere” cannot rejoice with you and weep with you. And the congregation here cannot minister by your absence and the absence of others who feel no responsibility to the church who weaken it. This congregation will be as strong in your life as you make it. Your attendance shows how much you really care about your brethren. Beloved, that is a fact that cannot be truthfully disputed.

Jesus said, “Seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Mt. 6:33). Are you truly seeking God’s kingdom first if you are not faithfully attending worship services and bible class? The answer is no.

The Hebrew writer give a very clear and an undeniable command that we are not to forsake “our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh” (Heb. 10:25). Friends, forsaking the assembly is sin – it is the violation of an inspred command. Remember, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” (1 Jn. 3:4; KJV). Sin separates us from God (Isa. 59:1-2), thus bringing spiritual death.

May we all have the attitude of the Psalmist, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go unto the house of Jehovah” (Psa. 122:1). Let’s build up the church here at Park Heights first by “attending it up!”

Tom Moore
P. O. Box 107
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.harrisandmoore.org
http://www.fromthepreacherspc.org
http://preachersfiles.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/preacherspc/
http://www.parkheightscoc.com