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[The following is excerpted from the book, Gather: Getting to the Heart of Going to Church, Copyright © 2021 by M. Hopson Boutot. Click here to download the entire book for free.]  

“I’ve never heard of a pastor who missed church as much as you do.” It was December and I had just returned from my third Sunday out of the pulpit for the entire year. Present for 49 weeks, absent for three. And yet ironically, the man who spoke these words to me had been regularly pursued by several members for his own non-attendance issues. But that Sunday he was there to criticize his pastor for taking an annual family vacation.

As frustrating as that encounter was at the time, it revealed something crucial about the importance of church attendance. Nearly everyone agrees that the pastor better faithfully attend church. Although this church was a small congregation with only one part-time staff member, most churches would expect the same sort of dedication for any pastor or ministry leader on staff. Pastors better attend church faithfully because they have responsibilities to their members.

But what about the responsibilities that members have to their pastors? The book of Hebrews mentions at least two. First, in Hebrews 13:9 we’re told “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” Pastors sometimes complain that they’re put on a pedestal by the members in their churches. The expectations to live and act a certain way (or maintain perfect attendance like the man who complained to me that Sunday in December) can sometimes be crushing. But Hebrews 13:9 is a reminder that pastors in the church are called to live publicly. They’re called to live in such a way that their faith and conduct can be imitated. But how can the membership hear their teaching, see their conduct, and imitate their faith unless they’re regularly present to observe?

A second responsibility that members have to their pastors is found in Hebrews 13:17, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” Again, this passage also has something to say to pastors. They should shepherd the flock with joy and not with grumbling. But notice the responsibility of members: to obey and submit to their leaders. Again, it’s hard to do this if you’re routinely absent.

When I was in high school and college my work ethic was something of a work in progress. When I had a job I enjoyed, I worked harder and longer than almost anybody. But I also had my fair share of unpleasant jobs: from cafeteria dish washer to fast-food restaurant employee. In jobs like these I learned a trick to help my survive: stay away from your supervisor as much as possible. Turns out its easier to obey your leaders when you’re regularly out of sight when they issue instructions.

The same is true in the church. It’s far easier to fulfill your responsibilities towards your leaders when you stay away. But the easy path is rarely the right one. God intends for His people to exercise their submission muscles by following their pastors as they follow Christ. And those muscles will get flabby unless you’re faithful to show up.