Weekly Church Attendance – a spiritual practice, a habit, or an obligation?
I have attended Sunday church services weekly since before I could walk. It has been the one almost unbroken consistency in my life, only surpassed by eating and sleeping. So it comes as a stark break from my regular pattern, when for two months recently I didn’t attended any Sunday services. There is a reason for this change that has nothing to do with the church or the people, but is not the topic of this post. What I want to explore is why I attend church at all. Is church attendance a Spiritual Practice? Have I been attending purely out of habit? Have I done it out of a perceived obligation?
Hopefully, deconstructing my reasons and motives will help me be more honest about my motives and more present to my actions.
What is the value of regular church attendance?
After 60+ years of attending church every Sunday, it is quite a change to deliberately not go to church. It raises the question “Why do I go to church regularly?” The answers to that question definitely depend on who is being asked:
- Because it is expected. (conformity)
- Out of loyalty to the local church. (duty/obligation)
- Because the Bible says we “should not forsake meeting together”. (legalism/compliance)
- For spiritual growth. (spiritual)
- For worship. (spiritual)
- For fellowship. (social)
- It’s a deliberately chosen spiritual practice. (spiritual)
- It’s what I’ve always done. (habit)
My primary reason is #6. In all honesty, it is my weekly social club meeting. What is your reason for attending church? If you have a different reason for attending (or not attending), put it in the comments below.
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- Attitudes, Actions and Outcomes - 14 June 2024