JHERB Posted July 29, 2011 Group: Senior Member Followers: 4 Topic Count: 82 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 789 Content Per Day: 0.15 Reputation: 123 Days Won: 4 Joined: 11/06/2009 Status: Offline Birthday: 11/23/1971 Share Posted July 29, 2011 I am in charge of the monthly newsletter for my church. After attending church last week and noticing that not even half of the "regulars" were there, God told me He wanted me to write this article and put the other article aside for now. I thought I'd share my article here. Church During the summer / warmer months, church attendance appears to be sparse. Jesus talks about how important it is to continue to assemble as a church. It is necessary for our spiritual well-being. We need to be with other Christians to encourage one another and to worship God. “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 Attending church on a regular basis through-out the year, increases our faith and builds us up spiritually. This is important when we come face to face with conflicts to our faith. Keeping our focus on God and His Word is necessary so there is no opening for satan to get in. God wants us to go to church. He designed the church as a place where spiritual leaders can watch out for us. If we answer to ourselves and to this world of sin, we can easily fall into sinful attitudes and / or sinful actions. The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. 1 Peter 5:1-5 Church only sometimes, will hinder your spiritual life and you will be tempted to conform to the sins of this world. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 13:1 Sure it is easy to skip church because you want to get an early start to your day, or maybe you are vacationing. That seems innocent enough. What is the harm in that? When we put our wants and needs first, it leads to worldly and fleshy pleasures, and that becomes idolatry. Church is a very important part of our spiritual life, without it, we fall short. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17 You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. Exodus 20:3-4 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, Titus 2:12 Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here. John 18:36 Blessings, love, sister-in-Christ, Jane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorningGlory Posted July 29, 2011 Group: Royal Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 1,022 Topics Per Day: 0.16 Content Count: 39,193 Content Per Day: 6.09 Reputation: 9,977 Days Won: 78 Joined: 10/01/2006 Status: Offline Share Posted July 29, 2011 Very good article, JHerb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Joyful Posted July 29, 2011 Group: Royal Member Followers: 4 Topic Count: 48 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 1,901 Content Per Day: 0.35 Reputation: 365 Days Won: 29 Joined: 08/16/2009 Status: Offline Share Posted July 29, 2011 That's a great reminder!!.... Is this on mid-week service only and not on Sundays? The reason I'm asking is because July and August are the times our church members go on vacations. Therefore we experience a drop in attendance of the regular members mid~week and on Sunday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smalcald Posted July 29, 2011 Group: Royal Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 32 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 5,258 Content Per Day: 0.76 Reputation: 42 Days Won: 3 Joined: 06/16/2005 Status: Offline Birthday: 07/22/1960 Share Posted July 29, 2011 I have really fallen down in this area recently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shiloh62 Posted July 29, 2011 Group: Royal Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 83 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 1,683 Content Per Day: 0.30 Reputation: 51 Days Won: 1 Joined: 11/14/2008 Status: Offline Birthday: 02/14/1962 Share Posted July 29, 2011 I am in charge of the monthly newsletter for my church. After attending church last week and noticing that not even half of the "regulars" were there, God told me He wanted me to write this article and put the other article aside for now. I thought I'd share my article here. Church During the summer / warmer months, church attendance appears to be sparse. Jesus talks about how important it is to continue to assemble as a church. It is necessary for our spiritual well-being. We need to be with other Christians to encourage one another and to worship God. “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 Attending church on a regular basis through-out the year, increases our faith and builds us up spiritually. This is important when we come face to face with conflicts to our faith. Keeping our focus on God and His Word is necessary so there is no opening for satan to get in. God wants us to go to church. He designed the church as a place where spiritual leaders can watch out for us. If we answer to ourselves and to this world of sin, we can easily fall into sinful attitudes and / or sinful actions. The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. 1 Peter 5:1-5 Church only sometimes, will hinder your spiritual life and you will be tempted to conform to the sins of this world. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 13:1 Sure it is easy to skip church because you want to get an early start to your day, or maybe you are vacationing. That seems innocent enough. What is the harm in that? When we put our wants and needs first, it leads to worldly and fleshy pleasures, and that becomes idolatry. Church is a very important part of our spiritual life, without it, we fall short. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17 You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. Exodus 20:3-4 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, Titus 2:12 Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here. John 18:36 Blessings, love, sister-in-Christ, Jane Thank you, Jane. I have been using the excuse of getting off of work at 7 am on Sun morning not to go, I need to start making it a habit to go regularly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mizzdy Posted July 29, 2011 Group: Royal Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 173 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 3,911 Content Per Day: 0.66 Reputation: 212 Days Won: 10 Joined: 03/21/2008 Status: Offline Share Posted July 29, 2011 That's a great reminder!!.... Is this on mid-week service only and not on Sundays? The reason I'm asking is because July and August are the times our church members go on vacations. Therefore we experience a drop in attendance of the regular members mid~week and on Sunday. Half of our membership are teachers or work for the school system most of them take off for a few weeks, some even for a month at a time. And we are a very small fellowship. But those members when they travel hook up with other small fellowships or other places of worship and we get people from everywhere who travel through and attend services with us. Sometimes there 20 or so other times up to 50 but once summer is over things go back to normal. shalom, Mizz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Joyful Posted July 29, 2011 Group: Royal Member Followers: 4 Topic Count: 48 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 1,901 Content Per Day: 0.35 Reputation: 365 Days Won: 29 Joined: 08/16/2009 Status: Offline Share Posted July 29, 2011 That's a great reminder!!.... Is this on mid-week service only and not on Sundays? The reason I'm asking is because July and August are the times our church members go on vacations. Therefore we experience a drop in attendance of the regular members mid~week and on Sunday. Half of our membership are teachers or work for the school system most of them take off for a few weeks, some even for a month at a time. And we are a very small fellowship. But those members when they travel hook up with other small fellowships or other places of worship and we get people from everywhere who travel through and attend services with us. Sometimes there 20 or so other times up to 50 but once summer is over things go back to normal. shalom, Mizz Thanks... With me posting questions, I omitted that... I too need to do a better job at attending mid~week service... . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Posted July 30, 2011 Group: Graduated to Heaven Followers: 10 Topic Count: 73 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 1,884 Content Per Day: 0.25 Reputation: 54 Days Won: 0 Joined: 06/23/2003 Status: Offline Share Posted July 30, 2011 Amen and Amen, Jane. This is excellent and a gentle reminder to all. One thing that many times is forgotten also, is when folks are on vacation, sometimes they take "vacation" from attending church. Visiting churches when traveling is very rewarding, also. The point is, to assemble together for worship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedMomma Posted July 31, 2011 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 7 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 142 Content Per Day: 0.03 Reputation: 34 Days Won: 1 Joined: 06/30/2010 Status: Offline Birthday: 10/17/1971 Share Posted July 31, 2011 I am in charge of the monthly newsletter for my church. After attending church last week and noticing that not even half of the "regulars" were there, God told me He wanted me to write this article and put the other article aside for now. I thought I'd share my article here. Church During the summer / warmer months, church attendance appears to be sparse. Jesus talks about how important it is to continue to assemble as a church. It is necessary for our spiritual well-being. We need to be with other Christians to encourage one another and to worship God. “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 Attending church on a regular basis through-out the year, increases our faith and builds us up spiritually. This is important when we come face to face with conflicts to our faith. Keeping our focus on God and His Word is necessary so there is no opening for satan to get in. God wants us to go to church. He designed the church as a place where spiritual leaders can watch out for us. If we answer to ourselves and to this world of sin, we can easily fall into sinful attitudes and / or sinful actions. The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. 1 Peter 5:1-5 Church only sometimes, will hinder your spiritual life and you will be tempted to conform to the sins of this world. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 13:1 Sure it is easy to skip church because you want to get an early start to your day, or maybe you are vacationing. That seems innocent enough. What is the harm in that? When we put our wants and needs first, it leads to worldly and fleshy pleasures, and that becomes idolatry. Church is a very important part of our spiritual life, without it, we fall short. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17 You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. Exodus 20:3-4 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, Titus 2:12 Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here. John 18:36 Blessings, love, sister-in-Christ, Jane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedMomma Posted July 31, 2011 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 7 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 142 Content Per Day: 0.03 Reputation: 34 Days Won: 1 Joined: 06/30/2010 Status: Offline Birthday: 10/17/1971 Share Posted July 31, 2011 I hope I'm gettin this right here lol I do agree with you jane we do need church or we will fall out of our spiritual walk with the Lord ty for putting this here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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