Doing a reading on social variation: the 5 linguistic facts. I'm done with fact 4. 1 more to go but why the rush? I think it's worthwhile to chill out and finally get down to blogging again.

Anyway, this is an idea I don't want to forget after all.

Corinthians 12:27: Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

Now, I note that Corinthians 12-14 talks about spiritual gifts in Christ. In chapter 12 Paul talks about spiritual gifts as though functions of various body parts and how God's design for unity in the church is diversity in gifts and not homogeneity. This theme continues to play out in chapter 4 when Paul argues for why prophesying is better than tongues, because "The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up" (14:4-5). Spiritual gifting is a very church-ward thing. It is tied to the idea of how the many gifts come together to function as a body... and how they are considered according to how much they can benefit the church.

Anyway, the teacher was saying that 12:27 tells us the context for the use of gifts: within the body. As a member. I felt that this has great potential for an argument of church attendance.

You see: if spiritual gifts are to be exercised within the context of the church, then the exerciser must identify themselves with a church as they dispense their gifts. Or, i.e. it is somewhat illegal to exercise your spiritual gift without highlighting your affiliation to the church or, without benefitting the other members in the church.
Or, you cannot use your gifts in the best possible way if you do not attend church.

So, how about... being a Christian but not exercising your gifts? Then you can legitimately shun the church and stay at home right? I'm afraid not.

In Corinthians we learn that God has given to each, each's spiritual gift and He definitely has a design in doing so. This compulsory possession of gifts... is therefore an order to attend a church. You are given, expected to exercise and hence expected to attend.