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Is it wrong if I am unable to attend church?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by hopefullyhelping, Oct 10, 2005.

  1. hopefullyhelping

    hopefullyhelping New Member

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    I have been going to college full time and am working fulltime in a substance abuse and recovery facility and I rarely get the chance to attend church services. I miss going to church and I wonder if it is alright that I do not attend. The work I am doing is to me very important and is spiritually based as well, but is it wrong not to attend church. I work every Sunday and once in a while I may get off in time to go but it is not on a regular basis. This is one area that bothers me and I would appreciate your input.
    Thanks in advance.
    Jo Ann
     
  2. bapmom

    bapmom New Member

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    Jo Ann,

    Id say that if you don't get into church on a regular basis you will start to see an impact on other areas of your life. Your ministry to the substance abuse and recovery facility will suffer, because you are not spiritually where you need to be. This is for your own good, and for the good of the people you are trying to minister to.
    One great piece of advice Ive been given before is to remember that God's priorities never conflict. Ask God to help you get this situation worked out. What looks to you like something that could not possibly happen because of how your work is scheduled, etc, when given to God will work out. Ive seen this happen time and time again.
    Pray first, then go to your work and tell them you really need to be able to have Sundays off, at least during service time, so you can go to church. Id go for Wednesdays too, if I were you, or whenever your midweek service is. Then pray some more, and wait for God to work. He will not fail you once you put it into His hands.
     
  3. Debby in Philly

    Debby in Philly Active Member

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    While scripture says one should "not forsake the assembling of yourselves together," not truly being able to attend Sunday morning services is not a sin. But as you have said, you are missing something. Perhaps your church, or another Bible-believing church near where you live or work has meetings or small group Bible studies at other times that you could become a part of. We all need the fellowship and support or other believers, and time to worship. God bless you in your studies and your work. May you find a group to worship and study with.
     
  4. APuritanMindset

    APuritanMindset New Member

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    I think that, since you try to go when you can, that you're not in the wrong. I do suggest you find some way to gather regularily with other Christians for a time in the Bible and such. This doesn't have to happen in a church though. Hebrews states,

    And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)

    This doesn't mean going to corporate worship, this just means that one shouldn't neglect gathering together with other Christians. Are you at least doing that on a regular basis? If so, then you're fine. If not, then seek a regular gathering of believers that you can become a part of and grow from and be stirred "to love and good works".
     
  5. hopefullyhelping

    hopefullyhelping New Member

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    Thanks bapmom, you are right. We have been shorthanded at work and I am hoping that we will soon have enough people so that I can attend Sunday evening services on a regular basis. I will give it to God and stop trying to take it back (it is a really bad habit of mine).
     
  6. hopefullyhelping

    hopefullyhelping New Member

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    One other thing is that I do attend our spiritual hour at work every Sunday and that is uplifting. I guess I miss my church family.
     
  7. bapmom

    bapmom New Member

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    yes, and I tend to think that a spiritual hour at your workplace is not the same as sitting under the preaching of your own church family. [​IMG]

    I hope that you can get your scheduling worked out soon.
     
  8. Roguelet

    Roguelet Guest

    whoops posted on wrong thread
     
  9. Ben W

    Ben W Active Member
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    I think it is important to be a member of a church, even if you cannot get there as often as you might like, that way you are placing yourself under the covering of the Eldership there.

    A number of churches do have midweek meetings and or home fellowships, joining a church that has this option could be a good step forward.
     
  10. Brother Ian

    Brother Ian Active Member

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    As a member of the Navy, there are times when I didn't attend church for three months because I was deployed. I did lead services while at sea, so people had an opportunity to hear the Word preached, even while deployed.

    That being said, it is not a sin if you cannot attend because you are working. Now if you volunteer to work every Sunday so you have an excuse to miss ("I was working"), that's a different story.

    I would definitely do as Bapmom suggested. Approach your boss and explain your desire to attend church. It may open an opportunity to share the Gospel too. I know several people that have taken this approach and their bosses were very receptive to the idea. Maybe come in an hour early so you can miss an hour for church. Or stay late. Whatever you do, approach your boss with a proposed solution to your problem.

    If those ideas don't work, there is always a possibility that the Lord will provide another job.

    Keep us informed of your progress.
     
  11. TexasSky

    TexasSky Guest

    Does your church offer Wednesday night services? Or does it offer duel Sunday Services so that if you miss morning, you can attend evening?
     
  12. Artimaeus

    Artimaeus Active Member

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    There have been some good ideas already posted.

    Unable = No
    Unwilling = Yes

    You have to figure out just how much is your uncontrolable circumstances and how much is your unwillingness to do what it takes to be able to take part in your church. I, too, have had the same problem. My boss wants me to work from 11:00 til 10:00 on Sundays. I have been able to get him to let me wait until 12:00 so that I can at least go to Sunday School. He also has hired someone else so that I only have to work every other Sunday. I get paid time and a half on Sundays and that has been a temptation so I am not criticizing you but merely offering my understanding.
     
  13. Helen

    Helen <img src =/Helen2.gif>

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    Jo Ann,

    It is really important to give yourself time off and time for fellowship and worship with other Christians. Aim for it! One way or another, make SURE you get that time once a week.

    Recently we have had a great deal of problems with our 21 year old retarded son. Episodes of anger and striking out have required new medications and we are trying not to leave him 'drugged' through the day (he had encephalitis when he was three and is now profoundly retarded -- IQ below 20 -- in diapers, autistic, and cannot speak). While we are figuring out the right combination and doses, I have not been able to go to church, even though there are people willing to watch him so my husband and I can sit and worship together. I do not want any of these people hurt if Chris decides to try to hit or kick or maybe twist off their head! He is strong.

    So I have stayed home with him for weeks now, as he obeys me better than anyone else. Barry goes to church and then shares with me when he gets home. We also have a small Bible study here on Wednesday evenings, which is special.

    But, like you, I sure do miss church and will go back as soon as I can.

    Try very hard to arrange things so you can. It is such a privilege for us here in America to be able to attend without any persecution. We cannot afford to take that for granted.
     
  14. bapmom

    bapmom New Member

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    Helen,

    I'll be praying that they start a class at your church for your son.....

    Do you think he'd be able to go if he had one?

    There are not enough good churches out there who provide classes for the mentally handicapped. We're working on that!
     
  15. hopefullyhelping

    hopefullyhelping New Member

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    My church does have Wednesday night services which I can get to on occasion and I work Sunday from 7 to 5 so I should be able to go at 7 on Sunday. The problem is that Wednesday is in conflict with classes, I have 6 and very little time to study. Next semester I am lightening the class load and taking a day off from one or the otehr. Sunday I have had to fill in until we get everyone trained so I have been the only mentor on duty until 7 pm. Another job just does not feel right I know in my heart that I am where God wants me to be. I also know that things will straighten out eventually and I will go to Sunday night services. I want to thank you all, you have helped a great deal. I know that I am better at my job when I attend regularly I have more patience and understanding then. So for now I will read the bible daily and meet with others who do as well.
     
  16. Brother Ian

    Brother Ian Active Member

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    Getting involved in a Bible study that fits into your schedule would help as well.
     
  17. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    There's no commandment to attend church. There is, however, a commandment to take one day in seven to rest, our of respect for the Lord. SO I hope that you are at least taking a day off every week to rest and recuperate. Your body needs it regularly.
     
  18. hopefullyhelping

    hopefullyhelping New Member

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    I do not have a day off per week, but I did take a mental health day yesterday because I only had to skip one class, sometimes I need too and next semester I will not have this kind of schedule. This is mid term week and in the class I missed yesterday I already had the test.
     
  19. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    I was there once. God bless you. Look on the bright side. Some day, it will be over, and you'll have a "normal" schedule. I encourage you to rest and recuperate as much as you possibly can during the "in between" times.
     
  20. SAMPLEWOW

    SAMPLEWOW New Member

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    Joann I think you will probably get it worked out and things will balance in time. I believe that your life is going through much change and God will twist you around until he gets you right where he wants you and that will take time PAIN and effort!!

    How's the weather at home?
     
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