This will seem like an odd admission from a pastor, but we’ve never forced our kids to go to church. Likewise, we have never forced them to go visit their grandparents. We have just gone and they have come with us because we enjoy it and it is a good thing for us to do. Now my kids are getting big, the oldest having turned 16 this summer. Still, my kids are not forced to go to church. Quite the contrary. Now that we have two services, I have to leave early to get over to church before 8 am for the first service. My wife comes later to help with Children’s ministry and attend the second service. The kids could sleep in a bit, or just hang out at home, but No, they rush around to make sure they get to leave with me. They want to be “at church.”

Ok, now we need to unpack that. Culturally, we call what happens Sunday morning AND where it happens “Church.” Neither of these uses is strictly accurate by New Testament usage since the Church in the New Testament is the body of believers in any and all places. We ARE commanded to make sure we get together, but the Bible does not specify where and when. Sunday morning in the big white building is a choice we’ve made.

I love to gather on Sunday in the big white building, but not because I go to “God’s House” Some people like to quote, “I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” ” (Psalms 122:1) . This is talking about the Temple which is not now pictured by our “Church” buildings but rather by Us. We are the Temple of God now. (1 Corinthians 3:16). I love to attend on Sunday morning because I love to gather with my fellow believers and be One Another together. My kids like to come for the same reason. This is also why I love going to 3 o’clock Study, Choir Practice, Men’s Breakfast, Young Married Men’s Study, and pretty much anything else. I love fellowshipping with the Body, the Group of Believers.

These days, I find that not everyone can always make Sunday morning. I miss them when they are not there and it makes me sad when I have to go a week or two without fellowshipping with some of the One Anothers. They are my brothers and sisters and I long to be with them often. I am excited when the ones that I don’t get to connect with on a Sunday morning choose a different time or even place to make sure we still connect as One Another in a group. That is what we are called to. Not to forsake fellowshipping and connecting as a Group, as the One Another.

I still feel that for now, Sunday morning is one (not the only) of the best times for everyone to try to come together to experience the One Another, to join our individual temples together into a time of doing God’s calling together, but no matter how you gather together any given week, just realize that it is a good thing. I am glad my kids have learned to want it, because no one can force anyone to love the one another, it is something you have to learn and desire as a part of God’s family.