Why Have Church Assemblies?

[Thundarstick]

Since we've so easily abandoned our worship services, why do we have them at all?

I personally miss services, but this has really raised some serious issues in my mind. What's the point of meeting if it's so unimportant that we abandon it? Are Churches scared of being sued? Someone explain this to me!

[dragon813gt]

My guess would be legal costs. Same for gun ranges that have been shut down in certain states. I understand not wanting the expense of litigation. But you have to stand for what you believe in regardless of costs.

[Hogtamer]

Thundarstick,
Perhaps this is a time for God's people to consider a major reset for the way we "do church." We are a long way from the New Testament model. Would we lay down our lives for the bride of Christ? I believe we would do well to pray fervently, seek the LORD while He may be found and ponder the book of Acts anew. Respectfully, Hal

[dverna]

This morning, I listen to our church on TV through a Roku connection...I think it was Roku as my fiancé is the tech expert.

Even if my church was open for service I would not attend the way things are now. A person from our church brought the virus to our community from a missionary trip to Ethiopia. We have become the local "hot spot" in our area. I might think differently if we were younger and if I was not in the higher risk group.

But I believe people should have the choice to do what they wish, and the church should set out the guidelines it feels are warranted to safeguard their congregation. Our congregation is skewed to older folks (I suspect most are) and I expect when we start attending services in the church they may direct us to wear masks and have families sit apart from each other. Our pastor talked a bit about it this morning, and he indicated the traditional hand shake greeting will be suspended as well as hugs between members...once the shutdown is eased.

As to "abandoning the church", I do not see it that way. I would be more concerned about a church that ignored the reality of the situation and preaches God will protect them.

But people who wish to congregate, and take the risk, should be permitted to do so as long as they agree to quarantine themselves. Their "rights" cannot place others at risk.

[Dapaki]

I can only answer what I know of the two churches I am a part of, the first in Eaglebrook, they made the decision to go online only since the Lord said, "Give to Ceaser what is Cesars and to the Lord what is the Lords." and as good stewards of life, they complied with Gov Walz order and went online. The church is the people, not the building.

91,000 individual devices were connected to services last weekend, about 200,000 people watched so it proves that it is indeed the people and not the building that makes 'the church'.

Why do we gather together normally? Community, fellowship, connection, support, help, the list goes on.

[Thundarstick]

Interesting and confusing replies. Why, pray tell, do we spend exorbitant amounts of money on buildings, grounds, and salaries for preachers, secretaries, etc?
Are Christians who go fishing, hunting, watch sports, or mow their yard, instead of assembling with other Christians justified in doing so? Send in your contribution, then do what ever you please, is that the way you see it?

[skeettx]

OK, here is why
Romans 13:1-2 says: "Obey the government, for God is the One who has put it there. ... The only time we are to disobey a law is if it is morally wrong — not in our opinion — but in God's sight. Otherwise, we are to be good citizens and make the church and state work together for good.

So they do NOT say we can't worship, they say stay home and worship,
The church is not the building but the people.

And when the sheltering order is over ...

Hebrews 10:25 Let us not neglect meeting ...

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.

In the mean time call your church members, comfort them, exhort them, pray with them and Rejoice, God is in control.

Mike

[ioon44]

I look at it as the "Church has been deployed "

[dverna]

OK, here is why
Romans 13:1-2 says: "Obey the government, for God is the One who has put it there. ... The only time we are to disobey a law is if it is morally wrong — not in our opinion — but in God's sight. Otherwise, we are to be good citizens and make the church and state work together for good.

So they do NOT say we can't worship, they say stay home and worship,
The church is not the building but the people.

And when the sheltering order is over ...

Hebrews 10:25 Let us not neglect meeting ...

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.

In the mean time call your church members, comfort them, exhort them, pray with them and Rejoice, God is in control.

Mike

Well said!!!

[a danl]

i think that the big question is "where is your heart towards God. after all "man looks at the outward man but God looks at the heart"

[Blackwater]

Gathering ourselves together with folks of like mind, has a certain and powerful ability to make us feel safe, loved, and righteous. When we sing, our voices create little sympathetic chords that enhance our sound, and make things more enjoyable, and helps us take pride in our actions. It provides reassurance that we're right, and that we're part of something much larger than our selves. Gathering together is so important and powerful, Christ directed us to do it regularly. And He's never wrong. He knows and understands MUCH more than we do, and He knows us better than we know ourselves. And also, it's just the right thing to do when so many of us know Him, and feel a need to show that. There really is no downside to attending a worship service.

[ioon44]

It doesn't matter how large of a gathering we have, Jesus said that when even 2 or 3 are gathered to gather in my name I will be in the midst of them.

I was able to visit two of my brother and sister in Christ yesterday and we lifted up the Lord Jesus Christ together, even though we were 6 ft apart.

[a danl]

Since we've so easily abandoned our worship services, why do we have them at all?

I personally miss services, but this has really raised some serious issues in my mind. What's the point of meeting if it's so unimportant that we abandon it? Are Churches scared of being sued? Someone explain this to me!

can't you see? it's satan doing what he can to destroy God's church and his people.

[Thundarstick]

can't you see? it's satan doing what he can to destroy God's church and his people.

This I believe is the reason! One of our members who's a teacher at a Christian college stated, he knows when each Christian will die, and it's when God is finished with our work here! He stated he doesn't know the means, but when God's finished our life will end here by some means. Since some of us have started meeting together in the last two months several have contracted C-19, none have perished of it, and all have made a full recovery. Today a 60 year old member, who had only been joining the "on line" worship, was called home, his work finished, due to a sudden pulmonary embolism.
I'm still stunned our leadership was so quick to abandon our assembly and show so little faith!

[ioon44]

My church is still having services.

Mat 16:18

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

[1hole]

.... I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Today our loving so called liberals and progressives represent the forces of hell still seeking with all their might to destroy the body of believers the Bible calls the church. The Romans tried but couldn't do it. Stalin, Mao, Pall Pot and Hitler, et al, have also tried but couldn't do it. Now the Democrats, in all their guises, are trying ... but they won't do it either!

Come quickly Lord Jesus!

[dtknowles]

Today our loving so called liberals and progressives represent the forces of hell still seeking with all their might to destroy the body of believers the Bible calls the church. The Romans tried but couldn't do it. Stalin, Mao, Pall Pot and Hitler, et al, have also tried but couldn't do it. Now the Democrats, in all their guises, are trying ... but they won't do it either!

Come quickly Lord Jesus!

The Chinese seem to be doing it successfully. Christian Churches in China can only teach what the Party approves.

Tim

[ioon44]

The Chinese seem to be doing it successfully. Christian Churches in China can only teach what the Party approves.

Tim

The word "seem" is only what the world sees not what the underground Church is doing and being empowered to do.

[1hole]

A family in our congregation has a son married to a dedicated Christian Chinese daughter-in-law in Charlotte, NC; she has much family still in that hellish communist "workers paradise". She reports that the CCP has been significantly less effective in squashing the church than we are led to believe. (For that 30% of the public who are still dumm enough to believe anything the fake-news/anti-American/anti-Christianity dominate media snots say.)

[dtknowles]

The word "seem" is only what the world sees not what the underground Church is doing and being empowered to do.

Do you see or know things the world does not? Do you have connections to that underground Church and know what they are doing? It seems the Churches are mostly obeying the Chinese government but I don't have contacts in China and rely on what is public. That public info does acknowledge the existence of underground Churches but mostly it is reported when one of them is busted and some Christian is jailed.

Tim

[dtknowles]

A family in our congregation has a son married to a dedicated Christian Chinese daughter-in-law in Charlotte, NC; she has much family still in that hellish communist "workers paradise". She reports that the CCP has been significantly less effective in squashing the church than we are led to believe. (For that 30% of the public who are still dumm enough to believe anything the fake-news/anti-American/anti-Christianity dominate media snots say.)

Believe what you wish but when the Government decides who you can name as Bishop and will jail people for practicing their religion in public I think the Government pretty much has the upper hand. They already round up Muslims and put them in re-education camps. If you Church is underground, you are being controlled.

Tim

[Thundarstick]

When I tell people there are as many Christians in China as the USA, maby more, most scoff at me. The reality is the church needs no building to meet in, they can be followers of Christ any time any where. The Chinese may control the RCC to some extent but Christ followers are still alive and well. Even communist realize that true Christians pose no threat to the government, they also realize that Islam is as much a form of government as religion, and is dangerous. Christianity doesn't teach killing people who disagree with you! We are taught to show the truth by our faith AND good works, not to overcome evil with evil, but rather overcome evil with good!

[dtknowles]

They should scoff at you. There are twice as many Christians in the USA as there are in China even if you double the China numbers assuming that half of Chinese Christians keep their beliefs secret.

Do you have any evidence that what you are telling people is true? What made you think that there are more Christians in China than in the USA?

This is from "www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/religion.htm" "The Four Official Religions of China: Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, and Christianity Religion today is growing in diversity and openness to the worldwide context. No religion has ever assumed a dominant position in China."

268349

Tim