I have been reading about Reid’s decision to take a rest from church. I have noticed a few others in the blogging community are doing the same.

I had my own break last week, I decided not to go to church on Sunday because I was tired. Plain and simple really. It was amazing (actually it wasn’t, I fully anticipated it) the amount of comments from people. They were all done tongue-in-cheek (i think), but I believe it shows an underlying belief about church attendence, that if you don’t go then something is wrong with you. It made me think how we are not delighted to see people when they do come to church (the regulars I mean), but readily critical when they don’t. I wonder if this is transfer guilt or jealousy in some way.

When deciding not to go, one of my first thoughts was about other people’s reactions, not what God thinks, how bad is that! It made me think though about what going to church is all about and how much we do it out of routine or duty, and not out of love for God or for fellowship. At heart I love being part of a church; the fellowship, the ministry, the chance to meet with God together. I do think though we need to consider our attitudes to church attendence and not be so legalistic about it though. I know I can be too, one finger pointing at you, three pointing back at me (I never could work our where the thumb comes into that picture???).