attending to the attendance problem. introduction our purpose: not to berate not to embarrass not to...

Attending to the Attendance Problem

Introduction

IntroductionOUR PURPOSE:

NOT TO BERATE

NOT TO EMBARRASS

NOT TO INTIMIDATE

OUR PURPOSE:

NOT TO BERATE

NOT TO EMBARRASS

NOT TO INTIMIDATE

Introduction

Introduction

A DIFFICULT SUBJECT:

NOT BECAUSE SCRIPTURE IS UNCLEAR

BECAUSE DIVISION IS CLEAR

ATTITUDES ARE SO DIFFERENT

A DIFFICULT SUBJECT:

NOT BECAUSE SCRIPTURE IS UNCLEAR

BECAUSE DIVISION IS CLEAR

ATTITUDES ARE SO DIFFERENT

Introduction

Introduction

1. Some brethren in some places can work when they are pretty sick, but can't attend church assemblies when they only feel a little bad.

2. Some families can work or go to school when one member of the family is sick, but all or most of the family will stay home if only one member of the family is slightly ill.

1. Some brethren in some places can work when they are pretty sick, but can't attend church assemblies when they only feel a little bad.

2. Some families can work or go to school when one member of the family is sick, but all or most of the family will stay home if only one member of the family is slightly ill.

Introduction

Introduction

3. Some brethren can work, hunt, shop, travel or attend sporting events when the weather is extremely bad, but can't attend an assembly under the same weather conditions.

4. Some brethren go to great lengths to keep appointments and be on time in secular matters, but neglect keeping their appointments with the Lord—appointments which they made when they obeyed the Gospel and became a child of God.

3. Some brethren can work, hunt, shop, travel or attend sporting events when the weather is extremely bad, but can't attend an assembly under the same weather conditions.

4. Some brethren go to great lengths to keep appointments and be on time in secular matters, but neglect keeping their appointments with the Lord—appointments which they made when they obeyed the Gospel and became a child of God.

The Place of AttendanceThe Place of Attendance

ATTENDANCE IS NOT EVERYTHING BUT:

• ATTENDANCE IS A BAROMETER

• ATTENDANCE IS IMPORTANT

• ATTENDANCE IS WORTH OUR CONSIDERATION

ATTENDANCE IS NOT EVERYTHING BUT:

• ATTENDANCE IS A BAROMETER

• ATTENDANCE IS IMPORTANT

• ATTENDANCE IS WORTH OUR CONSIDERATION

Why Should We Work to Build AttendanceWhy Should We Work to Build Attendance

NOT TO COMPETE WITH DENOMINATIONS(I Peter 5:8–9; Ephesians 6:10–16; II Corinthians 11: 13–14).

NOT TO PUT ON A BIG SHOW AND TO IMPRESS THE WORLD WITH THE STRENGTH OF NUMBERS (Matthew 6:1–18; “alms,” v.2; “praying,” v.5; “fasting,” v.16; Jesus said, “they have their reward”).

NOT TO COMPETE WITH DENOMINATIONS(I Peter 5:8–9; Ephesians 6:10–16; II Corinthians 11: 13–14).

NOT TO PUT ON A BIG SHOW AND TO IMPRESS THE WORLD WITH THE STRENGTH OF NUMBERS (Matthew 6:1–18; “alms,” v.2; “praying,” v.5; “fasting,” v.16; Jesus said, “they have their reward”).


NOT TO BUILD UP THE PREACHER OR THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH (I CORINTHIANS 3:5, 7, 21; 4:6; 1:29; GALATIANS 6:14)

NOT TO GAIN THE PRAISES OF MEN (GALATIANS 1:10)

NOT TO BUILD UP THE PREACHER OR THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH (I CORINTHIANS 3:5, 7, 21; 4:6; 1:29; GALATIANS 6:14)

NOT TO GAIN THE PRAISES OF MEN (GALATIANS 1:10)


TO SAVE SOULS OF LOST MEN AND WOMEN (Matthew 16:24–26)

TO ENCOURAGE STEADFASTNESS IN THE APOSTLES' DOCTRINE (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:25)

TO SAVE SOULS OF LOST MEN AND WOMEN (Matthew 16:24–26)

TO ENCOURAGE STEADFASTNESS IN THE APOSTLES' DOCTRINE (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:25)


TO DO OUR PART IN THE EDIFICATION WORK OF THE LOCAL CHURCH (Ephesians 4:11–16, Hebrews 10:24, I Thessalonians 5:11–14; Acts 20:32).

TO MULTIPLY OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO LEARN THE TRUTH AND BE CONFIRMED IN IT (John 8:31–32; Acts 14:21–23; II Timothy 2:1–2).

TO DO OUR PART IN THE EDIFICATION WORK OF THE LOCAL CHURCH (Ephesians 4:11–16, Hebrews 10:24, I Thessalonians 5:11–14; Acts 20:32).

TO MULTIPLY OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO LEARN THE TRUTH AND BE CONFIRMED IN IT (John 8:31–32; Acts 14:21–23; II Timothy 2:1–2).

WHY DO YOU FAIL TO ATTEND REGULARLYWHY DO YOU FAIL TO ATTEND REGULARLY

WOULD YOU SAY YOUR INDIFFERENCE IN THE MATTER OF ATTENDANCE IS

INDICATIVE OF THE GREAT LOVE YOU HAVE FOR THE LORD AND HIS CAUSE?

WOULD YOU SAY YOUR INDIFFERENCE IN THE MATTER OF ATTENDANCE IS

INDICATIVE OF THE GREAT LOVE YOU HAVE FOR THE LORD AND HIS CAUSE?


DO YOU REFUSE TO ATTEND REGULARLY BECAUSE YOU FEEL YOUR

ABSENCE IS NOT WRONG, AND THAT YOU HAVE NOT DISOBEYED GOD IN

DOING SO?

DO YOU REFUSE TO ATTEND REGULARLY BECAUSE YOU FEEL YOUR

ABSENCE IS NOT WRONG, AND THAT YOU HAVE NOT DISOBEYED GOD IN

DOING SO?


DO YOU ATTEND SPASMODICALLY, OR HABITUALLY MISS PART OF THE SERVICES,

SUCH AS SUNDAY NIGHT AND MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY, BECAUSE YOU FEEL YOU ARE MADE

STRONGER BY SUCH HABITS? OR, THAT YOU DON'T NEED WHAT STRENGTH IS TO BE

DERIVED FROM FAITHFUL WORSHIP AND BIBLE STUDY ATTENDANCE?

DO YOU ATTEND SPASMODICALLY, OR HABITUALLY MISS PART OF THE SERVICES,

SUCH AS SUNDAY NIGHT AND MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY, BECAUSE YOU FEEL YOU ARE MADE

STRONGER BY SUCH HABITS? OR, THAT YOU DON'T NEED WHAT STRENGTH IS TO BE

DERIVED FROM FAITHFUL WORSHIP AND BIBLE STUDY ATTENDANCE?


DO YOU ATTEND SERVICES IRREGULARLY BECAUSE YOU FEEL SUCH A PRACTICE IS A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW?

DO YOU ATTEND SERVICES IRREGULARLY BECAUSE YOU FEEL SUCH A PRACTICE IS A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW?


DO YOU MISS SERVICES OFTEN BECAUSE IT IS A PART OF YOU DETERMINED EFFORT TO PUT

FIRST THINGS FIRST?

DO YOU MISS SERVICES OFTEN BECAUSE IT IS A PART OF YOU DETERMINED EFFORT TO PUT

FIRST THINGS FIRST?


DO YOU STAY AWAY FROM SERVICES OR HABITUALLY MISS SERVICES BECAUSE YOU FEEL YOU ARE ABOUNDING IN THE LORD'S

WORK BY DOING SO?

DO YOU STAY AWAY FROM SERVICES OR HABITUALLY MISS SERVICES BECAUSE YOU FEEL YOU ARE ABOUNDING IN THE LORD'S

WORK BY DOING SO?


DO YOU MISS SERVICES BECAUSE YOU FEEL IT WILL HELP YOU “GROW IN GRACE AND IN

KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD”?

DO YOU MISS SERVICES BECAUSE YOU FEEL IT WILL HELP YOU “GROW IN GRACE AND IN

KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD”?


DO YOU STAY AWAY BECAUSE YOU FEEL YOU HAVE SERVED ENOUGH TIME TO ENJOY SEMI-

RETIREMENT?

DO YOU STAY AWAY BECAUSE YOU FEEL YOU HAVE SERVED ENOUGH TIME TO ENJOY SEMI-

RETIREMENT?


COULD THE REAL REASON BE THAT YOU THINK OTHER THINGS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN FAITHFULLY SERVING THE LORD WITH

THE SAINTS?

COULD THE REAL REASON BE THAT YOU THINK OTHER THINGS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN FAITHFULLY SERVING THE LORD WITH

THE SAINTS?

ASK YOURSELFASK YOURSELF

1. WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TO A NEW CONVERT THAT HE ATTEND BIBLE STUDY AND OTHER SERVICES?

2. WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TO AN ERRING CHRISTIAN WHO HAS JUST BEEN RESTORED THAT HE OR SHE ATTEND BIBLE STUDY AND OTHER SERVICES, INCLUDING GOSPEL MEETINGS WHERE WE ATTEMPT TO REACH THE LOST OUTSIDER?

1. WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TO A NEW CONVERT THAT HE ATTEND BIBLE STUDY AND OTHER SERVICES?

2. WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TO AN ERRING CHRISTIAN WHO HAS JUST BEEN RESTORED THAT HE OR SHE ATTEND BIBLE STUDY AND OTHER SERVICES, INCLUDING GOSPEL MEETINGS WHERE WE ATTEMPT TO REACH THE LOST OUTSIDER?


3. WOULD YOU RECOMMEND ONE TO SERVE AS AN ELDER IN THE CHURCH WHERE YOU ARE A MEMBER WHO RARELY ATTENDS BIBLE STUDY AND GOSPEL MEETINGS? OR RECOMMEND ONE TO SERVE AS AN ELDER WHOSE FAMILY IS NEGLIGENT IN ATTENDANCE?

4. IF YOU WOULD RECOMMEND THIS FOR OTHERS, WHY NOT FOR YOURSELF?

3. WOULD YOU RECOMMEND ONE TO SERVE AS AN ELDER IN THE CHURCH WHERE YOU ARE A MEMBER WHO RARELY ATTENDS BIBLE STUDY AND GOSPEL MEETINGS? OR RECOMMEND ONE TO SERVE AS AN ELDER WHOSE FAMILY IS NEGLIGENT IN ATTENDANCE?

4. IF YOU WOULD RECOMMEND THIS FOR OTHERS, WHY NOT FOR YOURSELF?


IF YOU WOULD NOT RECOMMEND SUCH SERVICE FOR YOURSELF OR OTHERS, WOULD YOU THEN RECOMMEND TO THE CHURCH AND ITS ELDERS THAT THEY STOP BIBLE CLASSES

AND GOSPEL MEETINGS, OR REGULAR SUNDAY MORNING ASSEMBLIES?

IF YOU WOULD NOT RECOMMEND SUCH SERVICE FOR YOURSELF OR OTHERS, WOULD YOU THEN RECOMMEND TO THE CHURCH AND ITS ELDERS THAT THEY STOP BIBLE CLASSES

AND GOSPEL MEETINGS, OR REGULAR SUNDAY MORNING ASSEMBLIES?

attending to the attendance problem. introduction our purpose: not to berate not to embarrass not to...

Documents

place of attendance

attendance problem slide

important attendance

barometer attendance

consideration attendance

different slide

consideration slide

church assemblies