Violating Hebrews 10:25?

Q

After a lot of searching, we found a small country church that we thought would accept us. I was even voted in as a deacon after we’d been there for several years. But gradually, I started to suspect I was being shut out from the workings of church business, and I began wondering why I was ever asked to be a deacon in the first place. Since we live outside the community, I’m puzzled why we still bother to attend, but I was told if we leave we would be forsaking the assembly, using Hebrews 10:25 as the authority. I’m at a loss. Would we be guilty of violating Hebrews 10:25 by leaving?

A

No congregation can force someone to stay when they have a desire to leave. Christians are eternal members of the Church, and are not obligated to any specific congregation or group. These people are misusing Scripture to convince you to stay in their congregation.

Hebrews 10:25 simply advises Christians not to give up meeting together. The truth is you can meet the intent of this passage in any congregation, or in a bible study, a home fellowship group, or in other ways.