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Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:23-25

Good Morning, Covenant Family.

Thirty years ago, in Canada, 43% of Canadians attended religious services at least once per month. By 2012, that number was 27%. This relates to any religious service, not church attendance. In the lifetime of many who are reading this, church attendance was mandatory every week for those who considered themselves Christians. But for many these days it seems to be an optional part of their Christian life.

There are a lot of reasons why this is true. For many, that weekly church attendance truly felt like a "mandatory sentence" they had to endure with their parents. Sitting on hard pews, pretending everything was perfect in their perfect Sunday clothes, it was hardly felt like it added value and benefit to one's life. Others attended out of guilt or fear of what God (or the priest or the pastor) might think. We've since learned wonderfully true things about God - that he wants what is best for us and that he isn't judging us on the basis of our church attendance - that give us freedom to not attend every week.

Jesus does not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7) In Jesus we are free from needing to put on the Sunday show and free from the fear of judgement. But in the midst of that freedom we find, in Hebrews, an exhortation to "not give up meeting together." If my relationship with God is personal and not bound to being a part of a church, why is this idea of gathering together so important?

I believe that God is love and that Jesus came to offer us a full, abundant life. Because of this, when I come across a command, particularly in the New Testament, I find it helpful to think about what benefit this command might have for me. These commands are invitations into a more full life, not checklist items that determine one's success or failure. So what does this command to keep meeting invite us into?

Well . . . the passage in Hebrews 10:23-25 answers that question with three things.

  1. When we gather together we are reminded of the hope we have and who we believe in
  2. When we gather together we spur each other on towards love and good deeds - living Jesus' way in the world
  3. When we gather together we encourage each other

It can be easy to walk away from any gathering of believers and think about what we didn't like or ask ourselves, "What did I get out of things today." I hope that you'll find these reminders and encouragements when we gather. I hope that you'll also think about how your presence and participation offers these things to others. You never know how God will use you when we gather together.

For those who are worried that I (or someone else) is looking to see when you're not there and judgeing you . . . I assure you that judgement is not happening. When you can't make it on Sundays you are missed, but not judged. For those that even talking about this issue sparks guilt in your heart . . . I pray that you will find true freedom from that guilt! That is not my intent in writing this.

I simply believe that this journey with Jesus is not meant to be lived solo and that a part of God's design for supporting and encouraging us is to gather together on a regular basis. He calls us together for our good - yours, mine, the people who sit around you when you come. I think we risk missing out on something good God has for us when we deprioritize gathing together . . . and I don't want you to miss out!

I know things aren't perfect in our gatherings. We sometimes fail to encourage or remind well. But I'm reminded about Wayne Gretzky's words about hockey:  "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." I can't promise that every Sunday you come, you'll walk out knowing why it was important you'll be there. But if you don't come, you'll never know what you're missing . . . what might have been said or done that was just what you needed.

I pray you'll receive this with the spirit it is intended. I'm not trying to judge those who cannot make it regularly. I understand that there are many really good reasons people miss Sunday mornings. I'm not trying to induce guilt. There is no amount of church attendance that can make you more valuable or acceptable to God! I do hope this will prompt you to think about gathering together with other Jesus people as a means for God to help you in your journey . . . and to use you to help others on theirs.

Peace,

Jon