Posts Tagged ‘attendance’
All By Myself
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/AllByMyself.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Colossians 3:12-17 I. Why do I have to go to church? A. After all, I can worship God all by myself. B. After all, all Christians are priests – I Peter 2:9 C. I can read my Bible and I don’t need anyone else – Ephesians 3:3-4 D. I can pray all by…
Read MoreElders and Church Decline
by Matthew W. Bassford Recently, there’s been a lot of chatter on my Facebook feed about a survey of churches of Christ conducted by an organization called 21st Century Christian. According to this survey, attendance in such churches has declined by about 10 percent since 1990. I have no idea how valid their data…
Read MoreI plan to go to his church if we get married. Isn’t this enough?
Question: Hi! My boyfriend and I have been dating for several months now. The problem we are having is that according to his beliefs, he doesn’t practice ritual ceremonies and doesn’t believe in ancestor worship. On my side, I believe in these things, but that is not an issue for me because I know if…
Read MoreThe Demise of Sunday Night
by Kent Heaton It is with great trepidation that I step into the spiritual coliseum of tradition and practice but a mist rolls over the hills of today that threaten the roots of the Lord’s church in America. We have long-held traditions that were created to facilitate a need in allowing folk to worship as…
Read MoreI want to go to a biblical church, but my parents won’t let me
Question: Hello, I wanted to ask how will I be able to go to a biblical church? My parents have always gone to a Catholic church, which doesn’t follow the biblical teachings (infant baptism, the worship of Mary and saints, saying that good works are the way to be saved, etc.). When I bring this…
Read MoreYou seem to believe that the only way a person can grow is by attending church
Question: After reading your response to the question concerning Hebrews 10:25. It seemed as if you believe the only way a person can grow in God is by attending church. Which is contrary to His word: II Timothy 2:15; Philippians 2:12 Answer: It is wrong to assume an “only” where none is given. It is also…
Read MoreCommands in Conflict
by Andrew Hamilton “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will…
Read MoreShould I not go to church if I have not confessed my sins to others?
Question: Does Matthew 5:23-24 mean I should not go to church if I have not confessed to men my sins against men? Answer: “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled…
Read MoreMy family doesn’t believe in Christianity and I find myself losing my temper
Question: I am a convert to Christianity, but my family belongs to the Hindu religion. My family opposes Christianity. They refuse to accept Jesus. I have a very strong belief in Jesus from the core of my heart. My problem is that I am losing my temper, which affects my surroundings. My parents are irritated…
Read MoreDo we withdraw from members who are attending another congregation for months?
Question: I read brother Hamilton’s article on Cross Congregational Fellowship with keen interest and have this question: Can fellowship be withdrawn from members who have absented themselves from their local congregation for months, but who have gone to another congregation to worship without first advising their local congregation that they will be worshipping elsewhere? Answer: Anyone not…
Read MoreIs it scriptural to go to church via the Internet?
Question: I have a friend who “goes to church” via the Internet. Is that a scriptural way of worshiping and meeting? Thank you as always. I am very appreciative of the work you’ve been doing for so long! Answer: No, it is not a scriptural way to worship. In doing so he cannot: Assemble: “And…
Read MoreWe have concerns about the local church and there are no other churches nearby. Is it biblical to study at home?
Question: There is one local church of Christ where I live. My family has been a part of this church in the past; however, due to great conflict and many issues surrounding this one church, my family decided that we were best not to attend there. No, we did not vocalize our concerns to anyone…
Read MoreI was forced to start working evenings. Am I lost in this situation?
Question: I was forced to start working evenings at my job. It resulted in me losing my Wednesday night worship. I asked for a night shift and was rejected for it. I am currently looking for new employment. I want to keep the commands of Christ, but in my situation would I be lost? Answer:…
Read MoreIs the “day” in Hebrews 10:25 Sunday or the day Jesus returns?
Question: Is the “day” in Hebrews 10:25 Sunday or the day Jesus returns? Answer: “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the…
Read MoreCan you choose the wrong church to attend as a Christian?
Question: Dear sirs, I thank you for your site. It has been a great source of information as a new believer. Although I always considered myself a Christian, I never truly understood its true meaning until starting and completing, cover-to-cover for the first time, the Bible last year culminating in accepting Christ as my Savior…
Read MoreShould I visit congregations that are changing how things are done?
Question: My question concerns the Sunday order of service and slightly different services. I was added to the body about two years ago. Sometimes I like to visit the services of other churches of Christ. After one such visit, I mentioned to someone that the church I visited had communion after Bible class. I felt…
Read MoreI need to look for another job, but the ones in this area require working every other Sunday. What should I do?
Question: Dear Minister: I am a married woman in the church. As much as I want to not work or work part-time, it is not what my husband wants me to do. I currently have a job that allows me to be off on Sundays. This job will no longer be available soon, and I…
Read MoreI know that there are bad people in churches and being in church won’t save them, but why does God threaten to punish the good people who don’t worship Him?
Question: I am a religious Catholic, who has never been swayed by any sort of religious persecution or negative commentary, whatsoever. I believe that we should not judge other people because that is not our job to do. We are taught to live as good people on this Earth, no matter how ill many people…
Read MoreThe Willful Sin
by Foy E. Wallace, Jr. via Number One Gospel Sermons, pages 133-134. From a sermon, “The Meaning of Faith,” preached for the Nashville Road church, February 1967, brother Wallace was giving a synopsis of the book of Hebrews when he said… [Billy Moore] The following chapters of eight, nine, and ten are new covenant chapters. The…
Read MoreShould a divisive non-member be told not to come to worship?
Question: I am a member of a church where there is a split of our church family. This revolves around a man (who is not a member) who has attended this church as a visitor for many years. He stirs up discord within the church habitually. There was a recent incident of this, and the pastor of…
Read MoreMy new job interferes with going to Bible study. What do I do?
Question: I just started a new job at school where I work the second shift Monday through Friday. The local assembly where I worship meets for Bible study on Wednesday evenings. My question is: according to Hebrews 10:25 is it considered forsaking or neglecting if I miss Wednesday Bible study? Answer: The reason for attending…
Read MoreWould it be a sin to worship in a congregation where the elders are not correct?
Question: Would it be a sin to worship in a congregation where the elders are not correct (I Corinthians 5:11)? Answer: “Not correct” is too vague. Not correct by who’s standard? If anyone is in sin, then what have you done to rescue them? To point fingers but to seek no restoration is to hate…
Read MoreDo you need to be baptized in order to go to heaven?
Question: Hello, I have a couple of questions, but I hope I am not bothering you in any way. Do you need to be baptized in order to go to heaven? If so, what other things must you do? Do you need to be baptized to be a Christian? Can you be a Christian if…
Read MoreShould we visit my grandfather’s church when we are there even though we left that denomination for the true church?
Question: Hi, Okay, we have been in the Lord’s church for less than a year. My husband, our little son and I are going to visit my grandma and my mother for my son’s birthday. We will be there for almost two weeks and one of the days we will be there is a Sunday.…
Read MoreHow can I stay spiritually stable?
Question: Sir, Please, can you give me some advice on how to stay spiritually stable? Because I am never stable in my spiritual walk with God. Today I am strong in the Spirit, tomorrow I am weak. This has bothered me a lot because I gave my life to Jesus two years ago, but I…
Read MoreReasons Why I Attend Every Service
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/2012Fall2ReasonsWhyIAttendEveryService.mp3 by Rob Speer God and I
Read MoreIs staying home because of an illness “forsaking the assemblies?”
Question: Hello, I read a section of your website that had to do with “not forsaking the assembling.” Could you give me your thoughts considering the following: Because I have been very low physically (adrenal fatigue State II and related diagnosis of hypoglycemia and extreme hormone imbalance) I have not attended church these last two…
Read MoreDoes God care about all the surgeries I’m going through?
Question: I was an evangelical Christian over five years ago. I am still a believer. I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I don’t do drugs or anything like that. I don’t have a girlfriend. I stopped going to church about two years ago. It was because I had surgery (Palatal Expansion). I was born with…
Read MoreI just realized that the church I grew up in is getting old. Is there something I can do?
Question: Hi Brother Hamilton, I’ve been thinking a lot about moving back home to try to build my home congregation back up. I’m currently going to school, not in the area, and this summer break has really been a wake-up call. My congregation is scantly populated by mostly grey-haired people. I love everyone with grey…
Read MoreWhile my parents call themselves Christian, they don’t go to a church. How can I do?
Question: My parents both identify as Christians, Mom more so than Dad, but neither has been to church in years. I have attended independently since high school. While my father and younger brother were away, my mother confided in me that she would like to find a local church to attend, but that my father…
Read MoreHow do I repent for getting drunk?
Question: This is with deep regret that I am asking this. This past Saturday my neighbors threw a going-away party for my wife and me. I ended up getting drunk in front of all of my peers and I feel terrible. I have worked so hard to be the best Christian possible. My question is…
Read MoreDo You Want to Be Here
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/DoYouWantToBeHere.mp3 by PJ Anderson
Read MoreIs saying that I’m not available on Sundays and Wednesday nights keeping me from being hired?
Question: I’ve been applying for jobs at fast food places around my area. I realize I need to be supporting my family, and I know I need more than financial aid to be doing so. However, when I apply, they usually give me a time frame of when I’m available to work. I always make…
Read MoreWhat do you say to people who left the church when you run into them?
Question: Over the last couple of years, members (particularly young adults) have fallen away from the church. It concerns me, as I have heard that they are going their own way and some now have relationships (boyfriend or girlfriends). I am not sure how to deal with the situation as these people have been an…
Read MoreEvery Christian is Necessary
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/EveryChristianIsNecessary.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton
Read MoreWhat if you feel that a particular church is not suitable for you?
Question: What are the suggestions if one cannot afford monetarily to attend church, or feels that a particular church is not suitable for him? If he does private bible study, is this enough? Does he have to go through the baptism ceremony? If a Christian continues to study other religions and philosophies, is this against…
Read MoreShould I attend services elsewhere while traveling?
Question: I am a member of the Lord’s church in one state and will be traveling to another. While away is it acceptable to attend worship service at another meeting house? And for my offering, should this be given to them or held until my return to our home congregation? Answer: The requirement to attend…
Read MoreCan I be a Christian and not go to church?
Question: Is it wrong to feel like as long as you keep God in your head, and you do right, and all you listen to is Christian music, and you talk to Him on a regular basis, to not go to church? It’s just that church is a place I don’t feel like I fit…
Read MoreSocial Compatibility or Scriptural Compatibility
by Warren E. Berkley Many who read this article will immediately know what I’m going to describe. You are members of a small congregation somewhere in the United States. Due to the economics and mobility of urban life and suburban careers, your membership has dwindled and the budget is strained. Yet, you still do everything…
Read MoreShould services be missed because you have a cold?
Question: I have a random question: What do you think about the arguments people make that if you are sick you shouldn’t assemble to worship to God? For example, I recently saw this on the blog of a close friend: Please be kind and loving (both of which are Christian virtues) and don’t come bringing…
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