I write this letter at a time in Enon’s history that I consider the most exciting I’ve witnessed in my tenure. I want to address one simple yet very important subject. I’m often asked what the Bible says about attending “every service” at the church. After Jesus’ resurrection the church in the book of Acts met together every day in some form or capacity. Some Christians still practice this type of communal Christian living and practically see each other every day. However, most Christians have followed the majority through Church history and only meet a few times each week. Of course we meet on Sunday in recognition of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, but Sunday is not the day of the week that we have to come together. As I study the New Testament I come across one bright red thread of theme concerning “church attendance.” The New Testament doesn’t teach “church attendance” in and of itself. No where through the pages of the New Testament will a reader find the concept of coming together with other believers to “only” sit through an hour and a half worship service that requires only patient participation from the locale of a chair or pew. When someone asks how often the Bible says they should come to church, they are asking the wrong question. The heart full of the Holy Spirit of Christ that burns to serve other Christians will come to church as often as it takes to serve people of the church with their spiritual gifts or abilities. The Christian with such a heart will not count the cost or number of services they “have to” attend, but will simply come to meet the need of their church family and friends. Can you imagine the Apostle Paul asking how often does the Bible say I have to come to church? Can you imagine the Christian that has affected you the most and that you think resembles Christ in so many areas of their life ask this question? The Bible does not say that we “have to” come to church on Sunday morning, evening, and Wednesday night, but again, the theme throughout the New Testament is servant-hood participation that involves utilizing the gifts and talents God has given you to primarily use in church gatherings and then at home and work. In addition, you cannot mature in your faith alone. Bible studies on Wed/Sunday nights and Bible school are opportune times to deepen your knowledge of the Bible or help others through your discussion. Right now in the Young Adults Sunday School class we are going through a DVD study with Dr. James Dobson on parenting. It breaks my heart that an extra hour of sleep on Sunday AM will keep some of our parents from knowledge in our Young Adults class that could change their lives and their children. I often ask the question “can you give to the church, in an hour and a half service on Sunday morning, the gifts and talents God has given you to serve the church body?” If your answer to that is a resounding “yes” then be a Sunday morning only attendee, but I know I couldn’t give all God wants me to give if I only came and sat for an hour and half on Sunday morning. Remember your time is not your time, your talents are not your talents, and your opinion, likes, dislikes, are not the final authority. The Bible says in Ephesians 4, in the context of serving the church with your time and talents, that God gives us these abilities “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying (building up) of the body of Christ.” Can you help build up the church by attending only a Sunday AM service? We are certainly glad you are here on Sunday AM, and for some parents it’s a sacrifice, but can you fulfill the command to all believers to work in the church by just being here in that service?
Enon, like the mustard seed Jesus described in the New Testament, has grown from a small group to a thriving church. However, the potential of God’s Kingdom at Enon being all He wills it to be, sits trapped in many of you who refuse to serve your church with your gifts and talents. Consider our Sunday School classes where you can not only learn about the Bible, but hear prayer requests or hear of a way you could help someone in need. Consider Sunday PM or Wednesday PM Services where you can help with our youth programs or study the Bible. Why do we put this last on our priority list when God plainly says it should be first? How often should we attend services at Enon? The Biblical answer is not a certain number of days or services, but as often as it takes to give away your time and talents (gifts).
Grace to you, Pastor Kevin Boone
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