Question: Is it scriptural for brethren (two or twenty) to go into an area for personal business or pleasure, where no congregation exists, and on Lord's Day gather in a motel room and participate in the acts of worship?

Answer: In order to answer this question completely and correctly, I feel it is necessary to clearly understand the function of the local church as it relates to worship. The word church is used in at least two ways. First, in a universal sense referring to all the saved in the world. When used in this way, we need to remember that the reference is to a spiritual relationship and never an organization. (Mt 16:18; Eph 5:25-27). Secondly the word church is used in a local sense. When so used, it refers to the saved in a specific location. (I Cor 1:2; Col 4:15-16). The church locally is not only a relationship, but an organic body or organization as well. In new testament times the congregation was the only medium through which the church functioned. Each congregation was governed locally (Acts 14:23; Acts 20:28), participated in evangelism (Acts 11:22; Phil 4:15-18), made up its own funds (I Cor 16:1-2; Acts 11:27-30), and assembled for worship (Acts 20:7; I Cor 11:20). I believe the same should be true today. There is no authority for a few individuals taking a trip (fishing, hunting, or business) and at their convenience meeting in a motel room for worship. Cooperate worship is the function of the local church (Acts 20:7; I Cor 11:20; I Cor. 14.) and not that of a few individuals who decide to take a trip for pleasure or business and find themselves unable to assemble as the new testament commands. If such a practice were scriptural, it wouldn't matter whether it was five miles or one thousand miles from the nearest congregation. Distance is not the question, biblical authority is. Another problem is that of having the right priorities. In Mt 6:33 Jesus teaches we are to put the Kingdom first. When I knowingly and willingly plan and go on a trip that prevents me from obeying the command to assemble, I have placed that trip before the kingdom. Brethren need to be careful that they not p lace themselves in a position of working God and His kingdom into their plans rather than working their plans into God's arrangements.

Question: Should we let our high school age children attend or participate in school sports? Can they attend dances, or our girls be cheerleaders? (CO.)

Answer: There are many issues that we all face from time to time that are not directly addressed by the scripture. In such cases, it seems to me, we must use a combination of judgment and revealed biblical principles to help us in our quest for the right answers. I believe the above questions fall into this category. There is nothing inherently wrong with playing ball or tennis, or running track. Nor is there anything inherently wrong with watching someone else do the same thing. If, however, in playing ball or attending a ballgame one neglects the assembly of the church, falls in with the wrong crowd, or dresses in an immodest manner, they have sinned and should no longer continue in these wrongful practices. (Heb 10:25; Acts 20:7; I Cor 15:33; 1 Tim 2:9-10) It has been my observation that little league ball games ruin more meetings in the summertime than about anything. Even though there may be nothing wrong in picking up a bat and hitting a ball with it, we should be careful that we don't get so wrapped up in playing ball that we have no time for the spiritual things that really matter. Dancing presents an entirely different situation. The modern dance with all its implications and insinuations has been the downfall of many a good boy or girl. It is impossible to read the definition of the word lasciviousness without being reminded of the dance. Thayer defines it as "wantonness, wanton acts or manners, as filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females." Webster says "tending to excite lustful desires." Christian boys and girls have no business attending dances, or participating in that which surely tends to evil. The references in the bible to dancing are in no way parallel to the modern dance. Hastings Bible Dictionary says "of the social dancing of couples in the modern fashion there is no trace." (i.e. in the bible) He further states "Social dancing, as we now understand it, was almost, if not altogether, unknown in ancient times..." p.550. The modern dance gives rise to impure thoughts, base emotions and feelings, none of which should be tolerated by one trying to live for the Lord. Finally, most cheerleaders of which I have any knowledge dress in an unquestionably immodest manner. It is difficult for me to see how any young Christian girl can "profess godliness in shamefacedness and sobriety" while dressing (or undressing) as most cheerleaders do. I am well aware of the difficult task of raising children in our current society. We must, however, never violate sound biblical principles as we seek guidelines to help us in the task. (Send all questions to Ronny F. Wade, P.O. Box 10811, Springfield, Mo. 65808)