Is It A Sin?

Attending Church services on a regular basis is not as popular as it used to be. There was a time when Churches could count on many to most of their congregations to show up on Sunday morning and Sunday evening. I know there were always fewer attending on Sunday evening, and as it grew worse, it created an environment where suspending service on Sunday evening was the result, according to some statistics, in as many as 95% of Churches.

In many Churches Saturday evening services have become popular. I can’t imagine why, other than it opens up the entire day on Sunday for. . .other activities.

The question I was asked is this: Is it a sin to forgo attending Church for reasons other than illness, travel, family concerns, or work?

Hebrews 10:24-25 appears to speak to the issue: And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Finding “valid” reasons is not hard for someone looking to avoid the gatherings. Perhaps more important is why a committed Believer would want to be elsewhere when the “family” is gathering for worship, edification, service, and llove.

I’ll leave the answer to you. Is it a sin? If God established the Church, gifted each Believer for the edification of other Believers, and said, “Don’t avoid it,” you tell me. Is it?