I have noticed a trend lately. More events happen than are humanly possible to attend. I know I’m not alone. You’ve had to make tough choices with your schedule. Will you attend this event or that one? How do you decide? People you love have to make tough choices about what things they “take time” to do. Our busyness has become a problem, affecting every part of our lives.
The United States experienced a decline in church attendance during the pandemic that has still not rebounded. One respondent to a Pew Research poll in 2023, explained why some folks prefer staying with virtual church services, rather than attending in person: “It gives me more freedom and extra time to multitask and do some other things.” *
Church attendance is also challenged by sports taking up more and more time for the families who often try their best to stay committed to both. When the demands of being on a team conflict with church services, some parents start to question if they can still “take the time” for church. Some opt to attend a different church with a different service time, while others just skip church for a while. Still, others opt to skip the sporting event for church. Either choice says something about what each parent and family values most. For those who turn to God’s Word for guidance about making this decision, Hebrews 10:25 certainly applies.
While the early Christians risked persecution to gather, we risk missing a soccer game or spending a little more time in our cars.
Hebrews urges us not to think of “taking time” for church as optional: “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25 NLT). We are not called to “take time” when it’s available to gather with believers. We are called to “make time” to gather with believers no matter what! While the early Christians risked persecution to gather, we risk missing a soccer game or spending a little more time in our cars.
The earliest description of the church in the Book of Acts describes a commitment to hearing the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, prayer, and a radical generosity that eliminated poverty in the body of Christ and would soon send missionaries across the nations. They met “in the temple courts” and in “their homes” (Acts 2:46 NIV). They did not “take time” that was left over. They “made time” for corporate gatherings for worship and teaching, and in-home gatherings for fellowship and eating together. I imagine prayer, service, and outreach took place in both. The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Jesus promised that He will build his Church (Matthew 16:18). He also wondered aloud if He would find faith when He returns (Luke 18:8). We know that faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17). Faith also grows by hearing the Word of God taught, by praying together, by worshiping together. When you make the time to gather with believers, you are inviting God’s Spirit to grow your faith. You are becoming the kind of person that Jesus will search for when He soon returns to this world. You are becoming the kind of person who will be ready to rule in his new Kingdom.
If you read this article, you are likely committed to gathering with believers. I hope this article reinforces this conviction in your mind. I encourage you to pass on this encouragement to others who you see need it. We are closer than we have ever been to the return of our Lord Jesus. Soon we will see his reign made complete.
When we gather together as the body of Christ, we welcome the reign of Jesus, even now, to break into our neighborhoods. The people in our communities are under the yoke of loneliness, sin, addiction, and broken relationships. We bring them the beautiful name of Jesus, who heals broken hearts, sets captives free, loves the lonely, and invites them into the family of God. Only as we make time to gather in the presence of God can we thrive as disciple-makers in our community. Let’s keep making time for what matters most. Let’s encourage each other all the more as we see the day of Jesus drawing near!
* Faverio, Michelle, and Justin Nortey. “Why Some Americans Prefer to Go to Religious Services in Person and Others Prefer to Watch Virtually.” Pew Research Center, Pew Research Center, 6 Sept. 2023.
One Response
Thank you for this concise and compelling “argument” for gathering as believers. When we seek “ease” in how we follow Christ, we so misread our Master. Ease was a low priority in his life. His return will come quickly… there won’t be time to ready our “house” or adjust priorities. It was helpful to me to read your comments regarding the difference between “taking time” or “making time.”