Topic(s): Youth, Worship

The author of the number-one selling youth ministry guide in the world (and host of a popular youth ministry radio talk show) recently wrote an article contending that attending worship services and participating in other spiritual activities are vitally important parts of one's relationship with God. This author said that in his family, "we've told our daughters that church is not an option, it's a part of our family's life. We eat, sleep, go to school, work, and attend church." Then he went on to mention that "like every other American family, we've missed a Sunday or two because of gymnastics championships, soccer tournaments, and other events, but our commitment to participate in the life of the church is a nonnegotiable."      

A non-negotiable? What this author really said is that you cannot "negotiate" him into missing his regular meeting with the Lord at the specific time the elders have named and at which the congregation of God's people will meet, unless of course you've got something really good with which to negotiate, like a gymnastics championship or a soccer tournament.      

Sadly, that kind of wishy-washy Christian commitment is consistent with what most so-called Christians in the religious world today believe. Is it what you believe? That's really not the most important question, though. The most important question we ask is of God: "What would You have me to believe and do?" Fortunately for us, He's already answered that question several times, telling us that worshiping Him must take precedence.     

Hebrews 10:25 says, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching," and Matthew 6:33 says, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness…”       

-Caleb Colley