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The Bible speaks about the importance of regularly gathering together with other believers (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:25). However, many have misconceptions regarding church attendance. Going to church should not become a legalistic thing by which one is attempting to earn God's favor or impress other people. Rather, attending church is meant to be edifying. Church is a place where we fellowship with other believers, learn about God, engage in corporate worship, and serve one another. Attending is important, but perfect attendance is not a requirement and there are a wide variety of acceptable reasons to miss church.
Some of these reasons are obvious. For example, it is certainly acceptable to miss church if you are sick or are caring for a sick family member. It would be irresponsible to attend church when you are likely to spread illness. Missing church is acceptable when you are out of town or too far away to attend. When out of town, it may be beneficial to attend a local church or have a Bible study with travel companions. Also many churches offer church services or recordings online or on radio or television.
You may not be able to attend church on some occasions when you are serving in another form of ministry. Certainly a short-term mission trip would be an admirable reason for missing a church service, since you are gone in order to help share Christ with others. Some people are also involved in ministries in which they need to travel to other churches, such as musicians or Gideons.
On some occasions you may need a period of rest from activities, including church services. Perhaps the week has been difficult and exhausting and staying home to rest is best. Or perhaps you are beginning to experience some form of ministry burnout from church service and need to take time away from the church to refresh with God.
Sometimes the reasons may seem less obviously acceptable. For example, there may be a sports event or other special event that coincides with your usual church service and you would need to miss church in order to go. In situations like these it becomes vitally important to remember that church attendance is not a legalistic requirement. Rather, it is a matter of a heart. Motivation is key.
When you must miss church due to one of the above reasons or others, do you miss being with your church family? This is a positive sign. It could be concerning if you find yourself searching for ways to miss church services instead of becoming an active part of your congregation. That is cause to examine your church and your own heart. Something could be amiss in either.
God knows our hearts and desires for us to participate and serve in a congregation of believers in which we can both serve others and be encouraged by those in the church. He is much less concerned with our perfect attendance than He is with the desire of our heart to love Him and to love others. As God has said, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Some of these reasons are obvious. For example, it is certainly acceptable to miss church if you are sick or are caring for a sick family member. It would be irresponsible to attend church when you are likely to spread illness. Missing church is acceptable when you are out of town or too far away to attend. When out of town, it may be beneficial to attend a local church or have a Bible study with travel companions. Also many churches offer church services or recordings online or on radio or television.
You may not be able to attend church on some occasions when you are serving in another form of ministry. Certainly a short-term mission trip would be an admirable reason for missing a church service, since you are gone in order to help share Christ with others. Some people are also involved in ministries in which they need to travel to other churches, such as musicians or Gideons.
On some occasions you may need a period of rest from activities, including church services. Perhaps the week has been difficult and exhausting and staying home to rest is best. Or perhaps you are beginning to experience some form of ministry burnout from church service and need to take time away from the church to refresh with God.
Sometimes the reasons may seem less obviously acceptable. For example, there may be a sports event or other special event that coincides with your usual church service and you would need to miss church in order to go. In situations like these it becomes vitally important to remember that church attendance is not a legalistic requirement. Rather, it is a matter of a heart. Motivation is key.
When you must miss church due to one of the above reasons or others, do you miss being with your church family? This is a positive sign. It could be concerning if you find yourself searching for ways to miss church services instead of becoming an active part of your congregation. That is cause to examine your church and your own heart. Something could be amiss in either.
God knows our hearts and desires for us to participate and serve in a congregation of believers in which we can both serve others and be encouraged by those in the church. He is much less concerned with our perfect attendance than He is with the desire of our heart to love Him and to love others. As God has said, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (Hebrews 10:24-25).
