24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)

In the book Habits of the Heart, a team of sociologists headed by Robert Bellah discusses the testimony of nurse Sheila Larson: “I believe in God. I’m not a religious fanatic. I can’t remember the last time I went to church. My faith has carried me a long way. It’s Sheilaism. Just my own little voice . . . It’s just try to love yourself and be gentle with yourself. You know, I guess, take care of each other. I think He would want us to take care of each other.”1 Unfortunately, she has missed the point that believers “taking care of each other” requires faithful churchmanship.

In the first century, submission to Hebrews 10:24-25 often meant serious sacrifice and even danger. There was no cultural, economic, or political cachet in church membership. Indeed, those who identified with Christ were likely to lose social standing, business, access to the channels of power, and, yes, their lives. Some were slaves. Many others worked like slaves, and were exhausted, like Eutychus, who fell from a window when he “sank into a deep sleep” during one of Paul’s late-night messages (Acts 20:7-12).

Even when one was fresh, church gatherings could be unpleasant, in that they were marred by controversy and strife, as with Euodia and Syntyche (Phil. 4:2), the “super-apostles” (2 Cor. 11:5), and the Judaizers, who had “bewitched” the Galatians (Gal. 3:1). It seemed to be one infernal thing after another, not to mention the continual pleas for money, as in 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. This was enough to scare the fainthearted away from church.

Then there was always strong outside competition for attention and devotion. Thus, Paul wrote sadly, in 2 Timothy 4:10, “Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me.” Fact is, the world has a lot of polish, and the Church often must work with artless volunteers. Defections are understandable – understandable, that is, if one lacks the Spirit of Christ, who loved the Church.

In studying the great ministries of the Spirit – preaching, teaching, charity, and such – the “ministry of presence” is often overlooked. Yet, all are familiar with the way in which poor attendance hurts morale and a good crowd lifts spirits. And all can provide ready examples of helpful information and encouragement given and received at church. Yet so many think that their absence matters little or nothing, despite this clear teaching in Hebrews.

Today, there are places on earth where this attendance passage retains its full, first-century edge. When a new convert from Islam in a totalitarian Muslim nation reads it, he is naturally anxious. If he is caught in Bible study or worship with believers, his life is in jeopardy, not to mention his family ties, property, and business prospects. How strange, then, to hear Western pastors praise their Sunday morning attendees for “braving the rain” on a stormy day. If they had to ride in open buggies, that would make more sense, but cars have tops, churches have covered drives, and parishioners have umbrellas. Where exactly is the bravery? Yet the Church has become so coddled that “I just don’t feel like it” becomes a sufficient excuse for spotty participation.

Hebrews 10:24-25 is meant to serve the spiritual needs of God’s people. As the old illustration has it, a coal removed from the fire will glow for a while, but not for long. So too with church members who suppose they can go it alone.  That is one of the many reasons why God instructs us to gather weekly with other believers for worship.

Footnotes:
1

Robert N. Bellah, Richard Madsen, William M. Sullivan, Ann Swidler, and Steven M. Tipton, Habits of the Heart: Individualism and Commitment in American Life, up. ed. (Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1996), 221.

article adapted from Kairos Jouranl

First Baptist Church of Perryville is located one and a half miles from Rt. 222.