As attending Sunday worship services requires an aspect of spiritual discipline, so do all other aspects of the spiritual path: daily prayers and meditation; morning devotionals; Bible study; covenant groups; etc. But equally important is the fostering of community that happens whenever we take a few minutes to check upon an absent brother or sister. Just the words, "You were missed" can reinforce and communicate caring to another person. Whenever we note an absent person, may it serve as a trigger to reach out to that person via phone, email, or postal note. What an easy way to build and strengthen congregational community!
Absolutely. I'm also glad you bring up some of the other ways we can be part of faith communities in various groups. The same truth applies, and its important to remember that those practices are also part of someone’s "church" life even if the don't attend Sunday mornings.
Great message Craig! I’ve grown up in the church since I was a kid….and always wanted to be a part! It’s a blessing to my soul to see a congregation Worshiping God in the moment! I don’t look down on people who can’t be there every Sunday. Instead…I pray for them and hope they are well.
Absolutely David, there is something special about being part of the community worshipping together in person that can't be replicated. Sadly, I think the church has caused so much hurt that its easy to miss the beauty of it, even for a church insider like me.
We have two church services on most Sundays. Contemporary and Traditional. For a while, I was attending both. But then I had a big Church-Hurt involving the traditional service. Since then, only once in a while I will go to traditional. (usually when they only have one service Sundays.) Maybe I'm wrong in my thinking. But I just have a negative association with the service. Most of time I will only attend our contemporary. I'm just saying, sometimes people experience church hurt and it really does take the wind out of one's sails in attending church. :(
That is definitely a common and significant problem and I'm so sorry you had to go though that. My prayer for all in that situation is to find any kind of faith community, church or not, that can be a healing space.
As attending Sunday worship services requires an aspect of spiritual discipline, so do all other aspects of the spiritual path: daily prayers and meditation; morning devotionals; Bible study; covenant groups; etc. But equally important is the fostering of community that happens whenever we take a few minutes to check upon an absent brother or sister. Just the words, "You were missed" can reinforce and communicate caring to another person. Whenever we note an absent person, may it serve as a trigger to reach out to that person via phone, email, or postal note. What an easy way to build and strengthen congregational community!
Absolutely. I'm also glad you bring up some of the other ways we can be part of faith communities in various groups. The same truth applies, and its important to remember that those practices are also part of someone’s "church" life even if the don't attend Sunday mornings.
Great message Craig! I’ve grown up in the church since I was a kid….and always wanted to be a part! It’s a blessing to my soul to see a congregation Worshiping God in the moment! I don’t look down on people who can’t be there every Sunday. Instead…I pray for them and hope they are well.
Thanks for this message! 🙏
Absolutely David, there is something special about being part of the community worshipping together in person that can't be replicated. Sadly, I think the church has caused so much hurt that its easy to miss the beauty of it, even for a church insider like me.
We have two church services on most Sundays. Contemporary and Traditional. For a while, I was attending both. But then I had a big Church-Hurt involving the traditional service. Since then, only once in a while I will go to traditional. (usually when they only have one service Sundays.) Maybe I'm wrong in my thinking. But I just have a negative association with the service. Most of time I will only attend our contemporary. I'm just saying, sometimes people experience church hurt and it really does take the wind out of one's sails in attending church. :(
That is definitely a common and significant problem and I'm so sorry you had to go though that. My prayer for all in that situation is to find any kind of faith community, church or not, that can be a healing space.