How important is church attendance? Is it of any importance? How would you answer these questions? This writer would say attendance at the worship services of the church is vitally important to your spiritual health and to the spiritual health of the congregation.

Attendance at worship services can be corn-pared with the barometric pressure of a weather forecast. When the barometric pressure goes down you know that a storm system is approaching. When the barometric pressure goes up you know tat fair weather will be enjoyed.

Church attendance is often the same way. When church attendance goes up that is a sign of good spiritual health, but when church attendance goes down that is a sign that something may be spiritually wrong. But why should we attend services?

1. God's word says to attend. Hebrews 10:25 says, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching." We need to be together to worship God. God is worthy of our praise and adoration (Ps. 148). We need to be together to encourage one another The early church came together and the church of today needs to come together God knows that, and we need to learn that.

2. Attendance can aid the growth of the church. People are encouraged more by worshipping in a building where there are others present. A good number in the building will positively influence our visitors. The singing will be better and that can create more zeal in our worship. Visitors will be more likely to come back. If a lot of people are absent, it sends a message to visitors that we are spiritually dead and do not care about worshipping God.

3. A building that is too empty is psychologically defeating and a building that is too full will hinder further growth. According to church growth studies the maximum size that a church will grow is 80% of the auditorium's capacity.

Attend every worship service that you can so that God is glorified, others are encouraged, the church is strengthered, and you are built up.