Church, twice a day?

[Carlos]

I notice that most 'fundies' ( our slang term for IFB's) go to church in the morning, and also the evening service.
I am doing this nowadays too.
I have often wondered when it came about?
Like, is it something that folks feel is necessary or is pleasing to the Lord, or just something that most Christians love, because they love to be in church?
On times that I have not gone, I have found immense satisfaction in Bible study at home, but miss the fellowship.
Is it an unnecessary burden that is placed on others, with the guilt trip added for the not so holies that don't turn up at nights as well.
I ask this for a reason.
In Christ, Carlos.

[kevinmiller]

Well, it's certainly not necessary and I think too much emphasis is often placed on it and it is sometimes used as a basis for your "spirituality." The church here has a morning service, lunch, and a Bible study afterwards. Everything is usually finished by 3 or 4 in the afternoon. It's a much more enjoyable and practical format, IMO. It would be difficult for a large church to provide lunch, though.

[Annie]

I agree that nowhere in the Bible are two Sunday services and one midweek service mandated...However, isn't there a verse that says that we should assemble as believers "so much the more as ye see the day (of Christ's return) approaching"? I'm not saying that just having a Sunday morning service is wrong...there are many other opportunities to gather as believers for fellowship, exhortation and encouragement.

Our society today is all about convenience. I think basing decisions about (the number and times of) services solely on convenience is the wrong way to look at the issue. We as believers should gather joyfully...should look forward to the times we can, if just for a while, escape the worldly influences around us and dedicate ourselves wholly to worship and fellowship around the Word.

If I may be so bold, I'll posit that I think the problem with many churches today is not that they don't have enough services, but that the services they do have (and the dynamics of the fellowship, preaching, etc.) are not refreshing to thirsty pilgrims traveling through a weary, sinful world. Church becomes a duty, not a delight, for saints attending churches like this. Church is something they "do." They dress just right, put a smile on, sing the songs, and sit still during the sermons...but there's no real life--no real sense of belonging and fellowship and purpose--no common cause that unites the people and lights a fire in their hearts to draw closer to God. Something is missing. I say this as one who has observed this occurring in more than one church I've been a part of. I'm happy to say that the church I'm in right now is truly a family of God. Even though this church is an hour away from my house, I literally can't wait to go to the next gathering (and how much I'm spending on gas doesn't factor into my feelings about it). When I go, I find sincere encouragement instead of plastic smiles and judgmental attitudes. I am able to encourage others who are open about their struggles and difficulties. The pastor and his wife are not perfect, and neither are their children (although they are exemplary). Our local body is simply a bunch of saved sinners helping one another to follow the Word...and I love it!

[JerryNumbers]

The church has many members, and it needs support from each member, and it is not going to be truly in one accord if all members are not present at each service.

Besides that, as much as we all claim to love Jesus, why would we even want to miss any services at our local church unless we just absolutely had to for a valid reason besides that Sunday sickness everyone seems to start getting at about 8:30 AM Sunday morning them seems to leaves them at about 12:00 noon, them comes back on them about and hour and a half before evening services begins, but shortly there after they feel like going and doing something, even getting out and mowing the lawn, washing the car, riding around, going out to eat, or maybe visiting friends.

You know, much of what is done in church is much of what will be done in heaven, if we don't like church them maybe we want like heaven either.

As for me and my family, we always enjoyed going every time there was an opportunity, we never went because we felt we were obligated or had to.

[Jerry]

Did you ever stop to think that maybe the reason many fundamentalist churches seem dead or not lively enough is because of those members coming there who simply are just not right with God, who are worldly or carnal. Seems all some can do is just knock sound church - perhaps they don't get anything out of it because the problem is with them, and not the gathering of believers. They want an experience, but not all the Word of God. Better to stick with a sound church and learn to love it than go to a worldly church and worship God with some strange fire - that pleases their flesh, but I doubt if it truly pleases the Lord.

[tired]

Most libbies :lol I know would only want service on Saturday night so they can go play golf or do something else on Sunday. The NT saints met everyday. They were excited about words of God and always wanted to fellowship with fellow believers. Now most christians I know just go to one service. I guess they think God is up there in heaven with a checklist checking the attended service this week block under their name.

[Anon]

It probably started because people wanted to worship God ALL DAY on Sunday, but then took a lunch break. That would make sense...basically worshipping God all day but going home for lunch.

Wednesday is a way to have a midweek prayer meeting or Bible study, as the Bible actually promotes doing this daily but most people in America "don't have time" so Wednesday or Thursday has become standard.

[Annie]

Did you ever stop to think that maybe the reason many fundamentalist churches seem dead or not lively enough is because of those members coming there who simply are just not right with God' date=' who are worldly or carnal.[/quote']Right on, Jerry. A "church" is not a "service." It is the people of God themselves.


Yes. Thank you for elaborating. This is exactly what I was alluding to in my post with these words:

[brosmith]

I notice that most 'fundies' ( our slang term for IFB's) go to church in the morning' date=' and also the evening service.[/quote']

I whole heartedly object to the term "fundies" being used on this board. I consider it to be a mockery, slanderous, and derogatory of independent fundamental Baptists. I am deeply offended that that term would even be used by a professing Christian. Please apologize for your arrogant attitude and belittling language

[Anon]

True, it IS pretty rude to come onto a "Fundamental" message board and start talking about the "Fundies".

[Guest Guest]

Oops... where I am from we call ourselves that sometimes.... I didn't know I was supposed to be seriously offended. I am inclined to think from his other six posts that he did not mean it in an offensive way. He just might be a fairly new Christian, cut him some slack until you know for sure. :wink

[Guest Guest]

Yeah, Fundies is a word that sometimes is meant to be used offensively, and sometimes not. (it's meant to be mockery on FSTDT, but some people proudly refer to themselves as "Fundies"..... so who knows)

But that's coming from someone who does NOT consider herself a "Fundie"... ugh, I can't stand the term. Just my personal opinion though. No offense to anyone. :Green

[John81]

I don't see a problem with the term "Fundie" and I don't think he meant it in a bad manner. I hear that term used a lot by "Fundies" themselves.

Our church has two Sunday morning services.

[JerryNumbers]

To, if one is not right with God, when they attend a church service, they will probably think its dead.

Yes, Church services will me boring and dry to the person who is not right with our Lord.

But them in most Baptist Churches you will not find everyone jumping up and down and rolling around in the floor, if that is what you call lively, them I would not want no part of it.

And by the way, Suzy have a great point. many years ago Sunday Church service was an all day event, they would take their dinner with them, them all would have dinner together on the ground. After which they would visit for a bit, them head back into the church for singing and preaching, leavening in time to get home before dark. But many times it would still be after dark when they would arrive back home. You see, they loved to worship the Lord. Some still do and go 2 times on Sunday, them there are those who don't enjoy it as much, many of them go only to Sunday morning preaching services.

Me, I've always been a 2 timer, I enjoy it and love worshiping our Lord.

[Carlos]

Hello Bro Smith.
Are you offended by my term 'fundies'? Well , obviously. Where I am from that term is used affectionately. I am honoured to be known as a fundie. Fundie is short for fundamentalist.
Are you sometimes called Bro' Smith? Hey, you call yourself that! Well, how about I call you arrogant and belittling if you called others "bro" and I also attempted to slander you by publicly claiming you to be arrogant, and belittling without even being sure of what you meant?
However, if you are so offended, then out of concern for you I will apologize.
I hereby apologize to you for unknowingly using a term that you ( although many others don't) consider offensive. Even my Pastor doesn't find it offensive! Still, I am sorry :sad
However, I would like to take you up on something brother....

For you to be so quickly outraged would show that you are quite touchy and easily offended, so why not spend some time in prayer, and maybe
consider thinking better of a brother. I am a fundamentalist, love fundamentalists, and here in Downunder the term 'fundy' is not used in a derogatory manner, from what I know.
God Bless you bro' Smith.