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A Church That’s Closed on Sundays? Exploring the Shepherd’s Chapel Paradox
The Biblical Standard for Sunday Worship
The Bible emphasizes the importance of gathering for worship on the Lord’s Day—the first day of the week. Scripture clearly shows that believers in the early church prioritized regular assembly for worship, teaching, and fellowship.
- Acts 20:7: “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.”
- Hebrews 10:25: “Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Yet, Shepherd’s Chapel holds Sunday services only twice a month. Is this a reflection of biblical faithfulness, or have priorities shifted away from God’s design for the church?
Open Five Days for Visitors, But Not for Worship
Here’s where things get odd: while Sunday services are rare, the Shepherd’s Chapel Visitor Center is open five days a week. Monday through Friday, visitors are welcomed as if it were a museum or tourist attraction, but the consistent spiritual nourishment that comes with weekly worship is absent.
A Museum or a Church?
Churches are meant to be spiritual homes, offering regular opportunities for worship and teaching, not occasional gatherings. As Jesus said:
- John 4:23-24: “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Shepherd’s Chapel’s priorities seem more aligned with operating a visitor center than with fostering a thriving church community.
A Church or a Tourist Stop?
The role of a church is not to act as a tourist attraction or even a ministry hub without weekly worship. The early church modeled consistent gathering, fellowship, and teaching, making it clear that community and worship are central to the faith.
- Ephesians 4:11-13: “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”
This verse reminds us that the church exists to equip and strengthen believers. Without consistent Sunday worship, this mission falters.
What’s the Real Purpose of a Church?
The purpose of the church, according to Scripture, is to glorify God through worship, teaching, fellowship, and discipleship. Churches must prioritize gathering regularly to uphold their biblical mission. Even community organizations maintain a consistent weekly schedule—how much more should a church committed to proclaiming the truth of God’s Word?
- Matthew 18:20: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
- Colossians 3:16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
A church that fails to meet weekly risks turning away from its core calling to gather, teach, and glorify God.
Closing Thoughts: What Would Jesus Think?
You can’t help but wonder: what would Jesus say about a church prioritizing a visitor center over consistent Sunday worship? Would He flip the sign that says “Closed Sundays”? As Revelation warns:
- Revelation 3:1-2: “I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.”
Perhaps Shepherd’s Chapel needs to reconsider its mission, because right now, it seems more like a polished exhibit than the living, breathing body of Christ.
