Church Attendance

 Over the years I have invited people to come to church but with poor results.

Those who don't attend church or assemble with believers, usually have a reason.

I think that probably a lot of people don't see the need or think it's a waste of time.

Some don't like how the church functions, but it seems most people go along with the traditional format of the Sunday morning "worship service."

Years ago, a young man asked me how many songs we sing on Sunday, because he wasn't interested in singing a lot of songs but wanted bible study. I said about 4 songs on Sunday mornings. It was a typical format of sing 3 songs, with announcements in there somewhere, the pastor's sermon, and then a final song. It's pretty standard tradition whether a big or small church. What he wanted was probably better accomplished one on one or in an informal small group that allowed more interaction.  But it seems most people want the more traditional and sometimes the more ritualistic experience.

Having been involved in churches for over 45 years, it seems to me that people are inconsistent on what they want and what they actually do.

One excuse that I have heard--we all have--is that the church is full of "hypocrites." I don't know if by hypocrite they mean a deceiver—saying one thing but secretly doing the opposite, or being inconsistent in some way, usually about some social-political issue. Calling someone a hypocrite makes the person you disagree with look worse; it's like calling them a racist or hater because you disagree with them.

I don't know what can be done about that, because most people are inconsistent about something. And as far as deception, people sometimes want others to think that they are something they are not.
Hypocritical behavior can only be addressed if it is found out.  

I remember a parent of some children who came to my church saying she wouldn't go to church because of the hypocrites that are there. I believe she was speaking generally and not specifically about the church I was part of--though I don't know for sure.  I found that reason a little frustrating. It's such a sweeping accusation to justify oneself for not being part of a church assembly.

If they're looking for a perfection in people, then it's hopeless. Everybody sins,  and everyone is inconsistent some of the time, and probably everyone has been a hypocrite at some time or another.

Some are looking for an ideal that probably doesn't exist anywhere.

You can start your own church, but give it time, and you will have problems.  You may even be the problem.

Problem people need to be dealt with, whether it's a moral issue or being divisive.

There is teaching in scripture that says if a believer in your assembly is committing certain sins (like sexual immorality), then you are not to keep company with them. There is scripture that says that a divisive person should be rejected. 

 It seems hard for churches to carry through on these things, especially if it involves close friends or family members, and people come and go pretty frequently, and in a large church, it can go unnoticed.

There was a guy I tried to encourage to come to church, but he wouldn't come unless he could teach his particular view to the church. The problem with that was this person held to a full preterist view that says the resurrection and second coming of Christ happened back in AD70 with the destruction of Jerusalem.

There was a similar type of teaching in the first century, and the Apostle Paul said it overthrew the faith of some. It's both bad and divisive theology.

It's difficult to get people to assemble together, but some shouldn't anyway, because of bad theology. And there has to be a consequence for continuing in sin, so that the one sinning will repent and change their behavior.

But regardless of the problems, believers are to assemble together, and the problems need to be dealt with. When Jesus addressed the 7 churches of Asia, he pointed out their problems, but he never told them to disband and go it alone. They were to address the issues. Shouldn't we do the same?  Shouldn't believers assemble together?

Some Scriptures I had in mind with the above...

“¹⁷ Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. ¹⁸ For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. ¹⁹ For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.”    Romans 16:17-19

“⁹ But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. ¹⁰ Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, ¹¹ knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.”    Titus 3:9-11

“¹¹ But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person. ¹² For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? ¹³ But those who are outside God judges. Therefore 'put away from yourselves the evil person.'"    1 Corinthians 5:11-13

“¹⁶ But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. ¹⁷ And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, ¹⁸ who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.”   2 Timothy 2:16-18

“¹² Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. ¹⁴ And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. ¹⁵ Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. ¹⁶ For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. ¹⁷ And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! ¹⁸ Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. ¹⁹ If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.”   1 Corinthians 15:12-19

“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,
‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'”   Revelation 3:14-22