At times I have been asked what characteristics I wish were different about American evangelicalism. One of my answers is that I would like to see greater commitment to fellowship on the part of those who profess to be saved.

What I am often asked after answering this first question, is what it is that I believe contributes to the lack of dedication among some. My next answer is that I believe this is due to one of two things: 1) we are talking about people who are saved and yet do not understand the importance of regular fellowship (Hebrews 10:25); or 2) we are talking about people who are not saved, and therefore, their lack of commitment simply shows a heart that has not been regenerated by the Holy Spirit.

In the first case, a lack of commitment to regular fellowship is all too common. Various reasons are given for this: sports, trips to the beach, a busy week at work and the need for time to unwind. Sometimes the justification for a lack of regular involvement in the local church is due to the time that para-church ministries (organizations which work outside the church) require of those involved, leaving these people with little time--or motivation--to be involved in their church. Sometimes, those involved in para-church organizations believe their first priority is to that organization, over and above the church they attend (something that cannot be justified by the teachings of the New Testament).

Some are satisfied with their sporadic attendance, but the early Christians in the book of Acts set the pattern for one who has truly been converted: "And they were continually devoting themselves to . . . fellowship. . . ." (Acts 2:42). Those earliest Christians were hungry to be with other saints. They yearned to be in the presence of others who followed Christ. When it was time for the saints to come together, all other priorities were secondary.

I would have to agree with Martyn Lloyd-Jones who questioned the genuineness of those who profess to follow Christ, but show only a casual interest in church attendance. As he says in his book Authentic Christianity : "I would . . . say that those who merely go to church occasionally are, to put it at its highest, only very doubtful Christians." The reason this is true, is that it shows where the heart is. He continues: "I do not understand this pressure brought to bear upon people to make them . . . attend services. What I say is this: If you do not go gladly to Christian meetings, are you a Christian at all? These men and women in Acts 2 were born again, and they manifested it by continuing ‘steadfastly.’ You did not have to round them up or keep watch on them and say accusingly, ‘You were not here last meeting.’ The Jerusalem Christians were there ‘steadfastly,’ day by day, constantly; you could not keep them away."

These are very penetrating words that will not go down easily for all. It has become normal, if you will, to put the minimum effort into church attendance. Everything seems to be placed as a priority over being with other saints, especially Sunday mornings. Sleeping in late is often more highly prized than fellowship and worship.

In describing how truly regenerated people feel about fellowship, Lloyd-Jones says that real Christians throughout history have "desired to meet together. And they did not want just the briefest possible diet of worship. They met every day and would go on for hours. . . . You see how far removed all this is from what has become so customary in many countries and from the common notion as to what Christianity is. People drag themselves reluctantly to a service on Sunday morning and hope and pray, if they pray at all, that it will not be too long, particularly the sermon. . . . Again, can you fit that sort of thing into the book of Acts? Can you not see that to meet together was the greatest joy in these young Christians’ lives? Their instinct was always to come together, and you could not keep them apart. That is the expression of this new life."

Finally, Lloyd-Jones hits the nail on the head when he says: "Do you have in you that which makes you desire the companionship of people who have their eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ and the glory everlasting? That is the test. Life shows itself, and that is how Christian life, spiritual life, the life of God in the soul, has shown itself from the very beginning, and must do so."

A genuinely converted person must have a desire, as well as the self-discipline, to make sure that weekly involvement in fellowship is a normal part of their life. If there is no interest, or if there is little interest, then the question which should be considered, is whether one has truly been saved. A person who has been renewed by the Holy Spirit will desire the fellowship of other believers. Faithful attendance will require some self-discipline, but no truly born again person can casually disregard it.