Definition and Importance

Attendance, in a biblical context, refers to the act of being present at gatherings for worship, instruction, and fellowship among believers. It is a practice deeply rooted in the traditions of the early church and is considered vital for spiritual growth, community building, and mutual encouragement among Christians.

Biblical Basis

The concept of attendance is underscored throughout Scripture, emphasizing the importance of gathering together as a community of faith. Hebrews 10:24-25 exhorts believers: "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." This passage highlights the necessity of regular assembly for the purpose of encouragement and spiritual edification.

In the Old Testament, the Israelites were commanded to gather for various feasts and religious observances. Leviticus 23 outlines the appointed festivals, which required the attendance of the community to worship and celebrate together. These gatherings were not only acts of obedience but also opportunities for communal worship and remembrance of God's faithfulness.

Early Church Practice

The early church set a precedent for regular attendance at gatherings. Acts 2:42 describes the early believers: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." This devotion to communal activities underscores the importance of being present in the life of the church. The early Christians met regularly in homes and public spaces, demonstrating a commitment to corporate worship and mutual support.

Spiritual Benefits

Attendance at church services and gatherings provides numerous spiritual benefits. It fosters a sense of belonging and accountability within the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 speaks to the purpose of gathering: "And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ." Regular attendance allows believers to be equipped for service and to grow in unity and maturity.

Challenges and Encouragement

While attendance is crucial, believers may face challenges such as illness, persecution, or personal struggles that hinder their ability to gather. In such cases, the church is called to extend grace and support, ensuring that those unable to attend are still included in the life of the community. James 5:14 encourages the church to care for those in need: "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord."

Ultimately, attendance is a reflection of one's commitment to God and His people. It is an expression of love and obedience, as well as a means of receiving and giving encouragement. As believers gather, they fulfill the biblical mandate to worship collectively, grow in faith, and serve one another in love.1. (v. t.) Attention; regard; careful application.

2. (n.) The act of attending; state of being in waiting; service; ministry; the fact of being present; presence.

3. (v. t.) Waiting for; expectation.

4. (n.) The persons attending; a retinue; attendants.

ATTEND; ATTENDANCE

a-tend'; a-tend'-ans:

(1) "To incline," "listen," "regard" qashabh; (Psalm 17:1 etc.); then, in the King James Version, "observe," but in the Revised Version (British and American), more frequently, "give heed" prosechein noun, as in 1 Timothy 4:13.

(2) "To be with," "take care of," "wait upon" (Esther 4:5 Hebrews 7:13 Romans 13:6); literally, "give unremitting care to," as in 1 Corinthians 7:35 (Luther: "serve the Lord constantly and without hindrance").

1248. diakonia -- service, ministry
... From diakonos; attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid,
(official) service (especially of the Christian teacher, or technically of the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1248.htm - 7k

2322. therapeia -- attention, medical service
... healing, household. From therapeuo; attendance (specially, medical, ie Cure);
figuratively and collectively, domestics -- healing, household. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2322.htm - 7k

4612. maamad -- office, function, service
... maamad. 4613 . office, function, service. Transliteration: maamad Phonetic Spelling:
(mah-am-awd') Short Definition: attendance. ... attendance, office, place, state ...
/hebrew/4612.htm - 6k

Attendance on Worship.
... INTRODUCTION AND CLOSE OF WORSHIP. 13. " Attendance on Worship. 13. CPM
Day. Attendance on Worship. 1 I'll bless Jehovah's glorious ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/13 attendance on worship.htm

Attendance on Holy Communion.
... SERMON XI. Attendance on Holy Communion. ... But after he has repeated his attendance
several times, this fear and reverence wear away with the novelty. ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xi attendance on holy.htm

1 Timothy iv. 14-Nov
... Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. ... "Till I
come give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.". ...
/.../homily xiii 1 timothy iv.htm

Sabbath Cure at Bethesda.
... If you asked them why they are so punctual in attendance on all religious services,
they would say, "Why, is it not a right thing to do?" Press them further ...
/.../xii sabbath cure at bethesda.htm

Ranee Khet Mission.
... The attendance at these schools varied greatly at different seasons of the year:
many came too short a time to get any benefit, the attendance of others was ...
/.../chapter xxii ranee khet mission.htm

Schools.
... Saturday, for years, a lecture was delivered to the assembled school; and on Sunday
morning a service was held, at which there was a good voluntary attendance. ...
/.../kennedy/life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xii schools.htm

1861-1869. Prayer of Hon. And Rev. Baptist Noel --Residence in ...
... Prayer of Hon. and Rev. Baptist Noel"Residence in Cambridgeshire" Visit to London
in 1861, and first attendance at Barnet Conferences" Visit of Rev. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter i 1861-1869 prayer of.htm

Physician to the Rani of Khetri
... sufficient. The average daily attendance at the dispensary is five.". ... occasionally.
The average attendance of fourteen girls has, however, been regular. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hoskins/clara a swain md/physician to the rani of.htm

The Boys' Department in the Sunday School
... Where it has been tried, not only has the attendance been increased, but the
enrollment in the department has been doubled and trebled. ...
/.../alexander/the boy and the sunday school/xi the boys department in.htm

The Pilgrim Fathers.
... Attendance upon her service was required by law, and unauthorized assemblies for
religious worship were prohibited, under penalty of imprisonment, exile, and ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /16 the pilgrim fathers.htm

Attendance (12 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The persons attending; a retinue; attendants. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
ATTEND; ATTENDANCE. ... Multi-Version Concordance Attendance (12 Occurrences) ...
/a/attendance.htm - 11k

Constant (16 Occurrences)
... Mark 3:9 So He gave directions to His disciples to keep a small boat in constant
attendance on Him because of the throng--to prevent their crushing Him. (WEY). ...
/c/constant.htm - 12k

Laver (13 Occurrences)
... la'-ver (kiyor): 1. In the Tabernacle: Every priest in attendance on the altar of
Yahweh was required to wash his hands and his feet before entering upon his ...
/l/laver.htm - 17k

Overwhelmed (33 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:5 and the food of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the
attendance of his ministers, and their clothing, and his cup bearers, and his ...
/o/overwhelmed.htm - 15k

Bearers (11 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:5 and the food of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the
attendance of his ministers, and their clothing, and his cup bearers, and his ...
/b/bearers.htm - 9k

Cupbearers (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:5 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the
attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ...
/c/cupbearers.htm - 7k

Cup-bearers (7 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:5 And the provisions of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and
the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cup-bearers, and ...
/c/cup-bearers.htm - 8k

Attire (11 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:5 and the food of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the
attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ...
/a/attire.htm - 11k

Attending (14 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:5 and the food of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the
attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ...
/a/attending.htm - 10k

Service (317 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The act of serving; the occupation of a servant; the performance of labor
for the benefit of another, or at another's command; attendance of an inferior ...
/s/service.htm - 42k

Why is church attendance / going to church important? | GotQuestions.org

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What are appropriate reasons for missing church? | GotQuestions.org

Attendance: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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