Should we attend because?

The latter.

But if you're on vacation, there may not be any churches around. That doesn't mean you have to ignore the Lord: I've found that vacations provide a wonderful way in which to experience God's majestic Earth, and also provide some fantastic opportunities for witnessing. Our love for Christ will manifest itself even if there are no churches around.

 

With all the wonderful technology around, I wouldn't think that it would be terribly difficult to do a little homework beforehand and find a church you could attend while vacationing. I have found this to be a wonderful way to enjoy fellowship (both visiting and havong people visit us here in "Vactionland"). As a dad with young children, I think it also sets a valuable precedent to your family- communicating powerfully where your priorities must always be as a family on the Lord's Day, even on vacation.

Additional benefit- I also find opportunities as a pastor to gain inspiration from other men in other churches- a bulletin feature, service order, new song, outreach ministry- helps me keep things fresh!

 

I attend...
1) because I love Christ and want to show him my devotion by...
2) Being with people who also know and love Him. I would attend church on vacation whether I was a pastor or not- and always have, since I was a child and my dad took us.

In my early adulthood years, some friends and I were traveling back to Michigan from a holiday visit to Maine. We stopped in a small community in Massachusetts for supper, and proceeded to look up a place to attend prayer meeting. We ended up finding a small church plant, and went to prayer meeting in the pastor's basement! It was an eye-opening experience for me, and I still treasure the memory of seeing the challenges fellow believers go through. The poeple there were very excited and encouraged by the presence of three young (19-21) men, even for the one night. The assembling of ourselves together has so many reasons to obey, but so many benefits to reap as a consequence!

 

The Lord leads. I have a great story about going to church while on vacation. Quite a few years ago, my husband and I were driving either to or from visiting his brother in Florida. We really wanted to make some headway in the traveling, and so decided to do this: Sunday morning we got up early, dressed "for church," checked out of the hotel, and started out on the interstate. Since we knew that the most common time for Sunday School was 9:30, we said that whatever town we were near at about 9 AM, we would pull in and look for a church. We found ourselves in Greenville (SC or NC, I don't remember!), and there was a big ol' steeple on top of a Baptist Church, visible from the interstate! So we parked and went in, and had a wonderful time of fellowship. The folks there loved the story, said they appreciated our faithfulness, and we even found some folks who were from home! After the service, we changed into more comfortable clothes at the church. The folks wished us "God bless, and have a safe trip," and we continued on our journey.

 

I believe that when you vacation not only should you attend church but I personally look forward to the opportunity to worship some where new & different, to hear a fresh voice. For me, I really love to visit a church that is different from my own a pushing the envelope fro Christ in evangelism and worship.

 

I would say "yes" to both answers!

 

Hi Dr Bob,

I take your point but one thing surprises me. You said you have to fly on Sundays. Why?

Just curious, I would prefer not to, and have yet to do it. There has always been an alternative.

Roy.

 

I always try to find a church wherever I am. Not just because I am a pastor/missionary, but because I love to be in church.

One of my boys and I were on a rugby trip to South Wales and had a free Thursday evening. We had seen a sign for a Baptist chapel. There about 8 people there, but it was a wonderful time of fellowship as we met brothers and sisters in Christ.

Don't know about all of the rights and wrongs involved here - but I try never to miss when I can find a church.