There is a small kindness in saving someone a seat. It says that you thought about them before they arrived. It says that the room is better with them in it.
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another.Hebrews 10:24-25
“As the manner of some is.” Even in the first century, people were drifting off. Nothing dramatic. They just stopped coming. It is an easy thing to do. Life is busy, people are complicated, and church can be awkward if you do not know anyone.
Consider one another
The word that stands out is “consider.” The writer asks us to give thought to each other. To notice who has stopped showing up. To think about what might encourage this particular person.
If you are already inside
Look for whoever is standing alone. Say hello before they have to. Introduce them to one other person. Do not ask a lot of questions. Just make room.
If you are the one on the outside
Walking into a room alone takes courage. Perhaps this has been a hard year with church, or a hard year with people. We will not tell you that it is easy. We will only say that faith was never meant to be a solo project, and that a real person next to you is worth more than any website, including this one.
Our forums are a place to start, but we hope they are not where you stop. Find a table with real chairs. Save someone a seat.