Hi Jim, yes, unfortunately this verse is often used by people trying to prove their point that church attendance is required. Yet, I do not believe the verse has anything to do with church attendance. To me, it just reminds us that we need the love, support and encouragement of our brothers and sisters. That does not have to come by way of an organized church service, and in fact, it hardly ever comes that way. Most of the time we walk into the building, sit down and listen to someone else talk for an hour and get up and go home. I have had more meaningful fellowship being outside the walls of the religion by talking to people as the opportunity arises. It can be anywhere and any day. Thanks for your comment.
If someone enjoys going to church, they have friends there, they enjoy a set service with singing and preaching, they get a sense of spending time with other believers, they enjoy singing the songs and they can get encouragement just by being in a spiritual setting. It comes down to being a personal choice. Some people like the corporate gathering in a planned service. Others do not like the formality and listening to only one person do the talking. Either way is fine, whatever each person feels is right for them.
I had a caring friend chide me with this passage when expressed concern over our not attending a church
Hi Jim, yes, unfortunately this verse is often used by people trying to prove their point that church attendance is required. Yet, I do not believe the verse has anything to do with church attendance. To me, it just reminds us that we need the love, support and encouragement of our brothers and sisters. That does not have to come by way of an organized church service, and in fact, it hardly ever comes that way. Most of the time we walk into the building, sit down and listen to someone else talk for an hour and get up and go home. I have had more meaningful fellowship being outside the walls of the religion by talking to people as the opportunity arises. It can be anywhere and any day. Thanks for your comment.
what then are the positives in attending "church" corporately
If someone enjoys going to church, they have friends there, they enjoy a set service with singing and preaching, they get a sense of spending time with other believers, they enjoy singing the songs and they can get encouragement just by being in a spiritual setting. It comes down to being a personal choice. Some people like the corporate gathering in a planned service. Others do not like the formality and listening to only one person do the talking. Either way is fine, whatever each person feels is right for them.