My Church Is Canceling Sunday Service This Sunday

[missmuffet]

I hope their list of projects includes things that people can do who have lots of health problems.   I have people at my church who suffers from acute neuropathy in their feet and hands and cannot stand on their feet very long.  Others have heart problems.   Even low impact, light duty projects can be challenging and near impossible for those with advanced health problems.

 

People like that sometimes don't figure into  "church projects"   because the people planning are younger and have more energy and forget about those who are disabled or in failing health.

 

If those people choose to stay home rather than participate, I hope the legalism doesn't go the other direction and people start accusing them of not wanting to do the Lord's work.  I have learned that legalism and religion cut both ways and those who think they are on the "front lines"  for Jesus condemn others who don't feel that same calling.

The Lutherans are heavy into legalism.I used to be one.

[D-Dawn]

This is my opinion...not necessarily a Scriptural stance...but first off, I think it would have been more prudent to have an optional "Serve the Community" time after morning worship...to provide the needs/desires of all parishioners. Just an opinion...seems like the solution that makes the least potential waves. Churches have split over less. The only time I recall church services being cancelled in my experience...is when we got slammed with 2 inches of frozen rain Saturday night. The entire county was a mess. A very understandable cancellation.

 

On the other hand, if your pastor is a man of prayer who is careful to follow God's leading...maybe God truly wants your church to take this one Sunday to "go out among them." No one truly knows except God.

[Ezra]

The Lutherans are heavy into legalism.I used to be one.

I notice in this thread that the term "legalism" keeps popping up.  It is a much abused term, and for Christians who should know better, legalism is already defined in Scripture (Acts 15:5), and has nothing whatsoever to do with things which are related to church practices. 

 

But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.   This was legalism.  Seeking to be justified by the works of the Law of Moses while believing the Gospel. 

 

And Paul addressed it thus (Gal 5:1-6):  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.  Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.  Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.  For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.  For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

 

Just because some Christians imagine that there should be no expectations or standards for Christians does not mean that those who believe there should be are engaging in legalism.

 

Coming back to the topic of this thread, there is absolutely no justification for cancelling worship services on the Lord's Day in order to do something else.  Christians can engage is all kinds of projects through the week, and probably the best day for any kind of project would be Saturday.

[Guest shiloh357]

I agree with Butero, that this wasn't really thought through.

 

I also agree with Dawn.  Maybe this would be better as an after church event.   Use the rest of the day for the project and, in my opinion  cancel the evening worship service instead.  People will be too tired to come to church that evening anyway.