God’s Attendance Book?
Does God actually care if you show up for church? After all, we can worship anywhere, right?
Neuroscientist Amy Farrah Fowler (portrayed by Mayim Bialik on TV’s “The Big Bang Theory”) once said, “I don’t object to the concept of a deity, but I’m baffled by the notion of one that takes attendance.”
Frankly, I have a hard time imagining the Lord with an attendance book. Yet, I am absolutely convinced that regular attendance at public worship is critical for the life of the Christian. It’s not that God takes attendance, but that I need the experience.
There’s an old story that floats around clergy of a pastor that shows up to visit a lapsed member late one evening. As they sit in front of the fire, the lapsed member starts talking about how he worships in the field or watching the sunset and doesn’t really see that church adds much for him. The pastor quietly takes the tongs and moves a bit of wood out of the fire and leaves it on the hearth. Soon, the red glow is gone and it is just ashen and gray. He then pokes it back in and soon it glows red again. The member quietly says, “I get it. See you Sunday.”
Sunday’s lesson from the letter to the Hebrews encourages us: “Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” (Hebrews 10:24-25, click here for the full passage)
The pandemic has forced many us to reconsider public group gatherings, and some remain hesitant even now to gather with groups of people. During this time, we have become accustomed to livestreams and other ways of getting our worship. Isn’t it nice to get church in a bathrobe with coffee and a danish in hand?
Of course livestream, zoom, etc. were not an option when the letter to the Hebrews was written. But I am absolutely certain that the author (along with the rest of the Biblical writers) would have considered online to be a poor and inadequate substitute for in-person, face to face worship and other gatherings. I understand that there are times when we simply cannot gather – due to physical ailments, travel, obligations at home, etc., and for these reasons we will continue to livetream, But let’s not try to tell ourselves that it’s the same thing.
Let me suggest three reasons why in-person worship is so important (I could go on for many more):
1) We are directly effected by the people around us, including when we gather for worship. Can you truthfully say that your experience of worship is the same sitting in your study in front of a screen as it is when gathered with the people of God singing together, praying together, laughing together?
2) We need the opportunity to reconnect with the people of our Christian community. Sure, we can do that in other ways, but honestly, will we? As families who have been apart during the pandemic can attest, there’s nothing like face to face time!
3) Others need your presence. You are a vital part of the St. John’s community and God may use you to have the right word, smile or whatever, that others may need.
Is there really anything keeping you from worship?
See you Sunday! And thereafter!
This column appeared in the November 14, 2021 edition of St. John’s eNews. Click here for the complete issue.
If you are reading this at a different time, you may click here for current eNews.
