Assembling is not the question. The purpose of the assembly is as is the benefit experienced. If everything is focused on the Father as in worship, where is the spiritual growth of the members as in edification and building up of the church?
"Man grows physically in body, intellectually in mind, socially among those about him and spiritually in soul. The last of these, spiritual growth, is supremely important, and this is where the church becomes involved. Edification, one of the three major works of the church, stimulates, encourages and nurtures spiritual growth."
In the spiritual realm, for example, growth does not take place without plan and effort. It can be achieved only by conscious desire and diligent work.
One of C.J. Garner 's favorite expressions was, "as the Sunday School goes, so goes the congregation."
So much depends upon our knowledge of the Word of God. We are comforted by the Word of God, we are kept by the Word of God, we are led by the Word of God, and we grow by the Word of God. The congregation that goes all out for its educational program, encouraging every member to attend, and providing the proper incentive, motivation and training for its teachers will be the congregation that will look forward to healthy growth.
The Christian Chronicle recently reported The Church in America is marked by decline. Now we know to be true what has been suspected. One truth we cannot deny is, "what we are doing is not working." We apparently are not being built up nor edified nor encouraged to love and good works. My boss at Mead used to say, "Insanity is doing the same thing but expecting a different result" thus my questions in my previous note.
It seems to me, with the church declining, with the number of the people electing not to attend Bible classes, not being involved in various activities, the average age and health of our members, this would be a topic worth addressing. But maybe that is what elders can do, someday.
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