“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Heb.10.23-25 (NKJV)
Many people, myself included, appreciate the community of believers. There are many benefits in the common mode/style of church gathering in the western church structures. It is always my counsel to young families that they take advantage of the support the community church offers them. Not only do children receive teaching, but families receive a bonus of having a positive group of peers for themselves and their children.
In addition, my wife and I, together, met the Lord in a small church environment. Those who invited us were so young in the Lord themselves, they had no experience in leading us to God’s throne in prayer. We are thankful they had somewhere comfortable to take us.
So why do I suggest it is sometimes good to leave church? It’s complicated but here goes: Few who end up leaving a church environment are wholly glad they did.
Yet, the author of Hebrews apparently points out, ‘if you don’t gather with other believers (in a culturally prescribed way, you are one of 'those people.'
Alas, I am one of those people! But, I think for good reason. Before I explain how I can break this apparent mandate with a good conscience, I think we should put this scripture to the hard test — Jesus' own words, and therefore His context. (*See note below about conscience)
Shouldn’t we be careful when we use scripture to show others their failings, that we make sure when doing so, we have no hidden logs in our own eye — like judging others? (Mat.7.1-5):
What are the reasons for ‘gathering’; and what constitutes a ‘gathering’?
Obviously, if we read the context of this scripture, the writer Hebrews 10 is not telling us that warming a pew, or sit through funny anecdotes, or be force fed doctrine from a pulpit; then sing a few songs and we’re done — No, the writer notes (not just to pastors) but everyone, ‘stir to love and good works, exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.’ This is body ministry; something closer to what we see in 1Cor.12, where everyone takes a part.
In this kind of ministry there are actually opportunities within the corporate gathering for individuals to express their giftedness. By the way, isn’t it odd that 1 Corinthian 12 talk of gifts, used during church services, is seldom mentioned from the pulpit; especially in fundamentalist churches. Oh, but Hebrew 10.25, how often we use that scripture to enforce church attendance!
Hebrews 10 doesn’t give us a minimum number of souls which constitutes a “gathering,” but given the purpose of the gathering, as quoted in context, ‘to exhort one another, to stir up so we do not lose hope’, it seems a large assembly shouldn’t be required’. And, Jesus' words:
“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Mat.18.20)
Seeing that the Western churches have abandoned much of the scriptural form with it’s clearly dictated reasons for gathering together (1Cor.12; & Eph.4; 1Cor.14.31), for the honest seeker (which I consider myself) what actually happens is a constant desire for opportunities to fellowship, to ‘provoke another, and be provoked ‘unto love and good works.’
Though there are those who insist I could still find a place in the Western evangelical church; those who affirm this have never thought this through. Yes, I could warm pew with no problem, but could I, with my particular giftedness, actually exercise my gift? Well, yes to some degree, but because I hold certain views contrary to long established evangelical views, I could never express my gift, or be candid about my views. I would be constantly biting my tongue.
Therefore, if I ever tried to express an alternate view, or should I ever talk to friends I’ve made about my views, I’d degrade to be a second class citizen in the church. Believe me, I have tried fitting in for half a century.
Because most evangelical churches believe Christian unity is doctrinally based, I would only get in trouble if I mentioned my views. Besides my hidden convictions and thoughts, I’ve also written six books, and as everyone in ministry does, when I find someone, who I think can benefit from my views, I do the natural organic thing, and share what I think, and sometimes offer them one of my books.
Here’s the problem, one can only bite their tongue for so long. And if I did share my views, those who think they are in the know, will consider me a source of heresy in the Christian community — “Peter has some unorthodox views.” After a while, when I go to ‘church,’ I find people looking sideways at me. Soon the areas where you once worked (Sunday school, leadership, preaching) become more infrequent; more difficult to step into, because you are looked at with suspicion. By the way, I cover this question of ‘Heresy’ in another place. It’s not what you (probably) think it is.
And here is the central problem, unity by doctrine (cults of opinion) have displaced unity be love and God’s prerogative to adopt children who might hold differing views; but a shared Holy Spirit. In the Kingdom of God, our unity is based on Blood and Love — not opinions.
This fact is just fine with, and generally accepted by the evangelical church. Everyone, pastor or parishioner, who I explain this to, accepts my premise; but has no inclination to change the status quo (For reasons I’ll state some other time).
As for me, I’ve run out of tolerance for (what I call) biting your tongue unity. I’ve chosen to abandon pew warming for being free to address the issues, I believe, God has shown me; and answer issues many believers have.
That said, I don’t believe there is a condition of Ichabod in Evangelical churches; God has a high tolerance for ignorance & disobedience of His children.
Among the unchurched and churched, I often find fellowship; for in fact, the Church is not a place, but made up of individuals who love Jesus; and they can be found anywhere, sitting with just one other person, in a pew, or out.
So, the commandment in Hebrews isn’t actually a warning, that you must go to church; for there are many who go to church but are not inclined to spiritual fellowship. And it isn’t about our geographical place on Saturday or Sunday, but rather the everyday disposition of our hearts desires to interact with our Christian brethren.
*Conscience: Ultimately, we all answer to God, not people's interpretation of the Bible; in fact, not even the Bible. Sometimes God asks us to do things which are not customary, or average. Yes, there are times people will leave church because the messages make them spiritually uncomfortable, or the like, but if someone is not honest with God, attending church is the least of their problems.