Sunday at 9AM and 6PM, Wednesday at 7PM

Recently, we asked our readers to suggest some topics for us to write about. In July, we are writing about 8 of their suggestions, and this is the 6th post.

I saved this post for a Wednesday for a reason. “KG” suggested that we write about the “3 times a week mentality” of meeting on Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night. In his comment, he stated this: “Obviously the common Sunday AM/Sunday PM/ Wednesday PM schedule comes from tradition rather than doctrine, so how binding is it?”

This is a wonderfully practical question, and one that I think everyone has asked at some point.

At heart are at least two issues.

The first is Scripture versus tradition. The New Testament makes it abundantly clear that Christians are to meet on the first day of the week (Sunday). It was the day on which Christ was raised. It was the day on which the Church began in Acts 2. We are told several times that the Christians came together often, but that the first day was the special day. It was the day on which the Lord’s Supper was eaten. Very quickly, due to this connection, it became known as “the Lord’s Day.”

The famous passage, of course, dealing with this day is Hebrews 10:25, which speaks about not forsaking the assembly. In context, this is a passage about encouragement. In those early days of the Church, if you didn’t “show up” on Sunday, not only were you missed, but something might have happened to you! Just being there was a great exhortation. However, Christians should desire to come together, not only to see one another, but ultimately to worship God.

What about a second service or a mid-week service, though? It is true that this comes from tradition. There is no Bible verse that says that a congregation has to meet twice on Sunday (nor are we told when on Sunday to meet; just to meet on that day). There is no command to meet on any other day for worship.

So, to the question of do we “have to” meet more than one time, the answer, Biblically-speaking, is “no.”

HOWEVER…

(insert “I knew there had to be more to it than that” comment here)

Let me make the following suggestions for your consideration.

1. God has put elders in place to shepherd our souls. Part of wise shepherding includes bringing people together. The most important thing we can do together is worship God and learn more about Him.

2. Christians are commanded to obey elders (see Hebrews 13:7, 17). If the elders state that we should come together on a Wednesday, then I am to obey.

3. Elders need to be sensitive to the congregational needs. In other words, just because “everybody else” meets on Wednesday does not mean that elders must state that this congregation must. They are not breaking Scriptural commands if they state that we are going to meet on Tuesday, or Friday, or not at all during the week. All they are required to do is to make sure a time is set for worship on the Lord’s Day.

4. A true Christian is one who will desire to be present whenever possible. I get worried about Christians who ask, “Do we have to come on Sunday night or Wednesday or to a Gospel Meeting?” What does that say about one’s heart, when their desire is to do something (anything!) else. [NOTE: I am not questioning “KG” by saying this. I think his/her suggestion for this topic was asked from pure motives.]

5. Spend some time around a faithful Christian who no longer can attend all the time. They want so badly to come on Wednesday night, but health will not allow. Their heart’s desire is to be worshiping God and to be with His people. If you will spend time around people like that, your heart will change.

In summary, Christians come together once each week under the command of God to worship. At other times, it is up to each eldership to decide what is wise for the shepherding of the souls under their care. Christians are to obey elders and should have the desire to be where God’s people are.

QUESTION: Agree? Disagree?

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Photo credit: ClareMarie on Flickr creative commons