I have been a faithful member of the Lord’s Church for many years. I have been very concerned about something lately and wonder if you could assist me.<\/p>\n
In Hebrews 10:25, the Bible says that we are not to forsake the assembly of the saints. I despise not going to church, but I have some health issues that make it extremely difficult. I have had some surgeries that make getting to the restroom on time nearly impossible. I have very bad arthritic knees, and I can no longer walk very well at all. Lastly, my doctor told me that I have a really good case of Osteoporosis, and if I were to fall, I have a one in five chance of a severe hip fracture. I do not want to disobey the Lord. Also, I am unable to put money on the collection plate. Please help me with this It will be very deeply appreciated.<\/p>\n
Thank you, brother, for your time. May God bless you and yours. By the way, I watch sound congregations on Sundays and Wednesdays and take my own communion with them.<\/p>\n\t
I can’t answer your question in your personal case. However, I would like you to consider a few things.<\/p>\n
I’ve known elderly members who have become so frail that they can’t travel to the church building to attend. I’ve known others who are so determined to be with the saints that they are there despite severe health issues. Would you like to guess which are encouraging to their brethren just by being present (Hebrews 10:23-25)?<\/p>\n
I often wonder about those who say they are too ill to attend, yet I hear that they can get to the stores. Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying this is happening in your case, but I would like you to weigh your decisions objectively. If health truly keeps you from getting out, then God would not expect you to do what you are unable to do. However, some find it easy to skip things they find inconvenient.<\/p>\n
“For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right<\/em>” (I Peter 4:17-19).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Think about how God would view your choices and act accordingly.<\/p>\n
Congregations that broadcast their services over the Internet have been a blessing for those who truly can’t get out. It isn’t a replacement for attendance, but it is better than nothing. For contributions, I know several who mail a check, and it is added to the collection at the next service.<\/p>\n\t
Response:<\/h2>\n
Thanks for the advice.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Question: I have been a faithful member of the Lord’s Church for many years. I have been very concerned about something lately and wonder if you could assist me. In Hebrews 10:25, the Bible says that we are not to forsake the assembly of the saints. I despise not going to church, but I have…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[356],"class_list":["post-69629","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-answer","tag-attendance"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":19591,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/model-or-mission\/","url_meta":{"origin":69629,"position":0},"title":"Model or Mission?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 4, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jefferson David Tant The assembly of people that began on the Pentecost following Christ's resurrection serves as a model for us, even in the 21st Century. We follow the patterns that were set up by the early church in that we respect the way they understood the authority that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/02\/Business-1-300x200.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":45293,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/can-a-woman-be-the-educational-leader-in-a-church\/","url_meta":{"origin":69629,"position":1},"title":"Can a woman be the educational leader in a church?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"June 11, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Hello, I am so thankful for this site and often visit it when I'm looking for a better understanding of things. I was born and raised in a church of Christ and know nothing else. 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We will be there for almost two weeks and one of the days we will\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":29082,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/thank-you-very-much-to-the-la-vista-church-for-very-good-topics-on-your-web-site\/","url_meta":{"origin":69629,"position":3},"title":"Thank you very much to the La Vista church for very good topics on your web site","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 21, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I just searching around and found your lovely website. I read some pages. My English is not that good, but I try to read. I want to say thank you very much to the La Vista church for very good topics on your website and to encourage you guys.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":35322,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/is-staying-home-because-of-an-illness-forsaking-the-assemblies\/","url_meta":{"origin":69629,"position":4},"title":"Is staying home because of an illness “forsaking the assemblies?”","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"October 17, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"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\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":23856,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/can-i-have-your-permission-to-open-a-branch-of-your-church\/","url_meta":{"origin":69629,"position":5},"title":"Can I have your permission to open a branch of your church?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"June 19, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I am very much interested in your teachings and your church. 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