Re: Is Church Attendance Mandatory? In regards to mandatory presence in church, it may not be mandatory per say, but how do you view Hebrews 10:25 in the light of that?
It’s easy to confuse being in church with being the Church. Jesus said, “Wherever two or three are gathered in my name there I am in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20). Granted, attending a church service is one way to gather together in His name, but it’s by no means the only way. Bible studies, prayer meetings, small groups, and even informal discussions about some aspect of our faith can also meet the requirement. As evidence of this the Greek word for gather together in Matt. 18:20 is the root of the Greek word for assembly in Hebrews 10:25.
A growing number of people have determined that the intent of Hebrews 10:25, which is to encourage one another as we see the Day approaching, can be better achieved sometime other than during a church service. This is because the approaching Day is seldom mentioned in most churches, and even discussing it is discouraged in many.