Notice the difference between the two men in this illustration:
(Luke 18:9-14) . . .But he spoke this illustration also to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and who considered the rest as nothing: 10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and began to pray these things to himself, ‘O God, I thank you I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week, I give the tenth of all things I acquire.' 13 But the tax collector standing at a distance was not willing even to raise his eyes heavenward, but kept beating his breast, saying, ‘O God, be gracious to me a sinner.' 14 I tell YOU, This man went down to his home proved more righteous than that man; because everyone that exalts himself will be humiliated, but he that humbles himself will be exalted."
Although the example is short, it is curious that the Pharisee in the example is basing his righteousness on numbers, whereas, the tax collector - a 'numbers' man by profession - makes no mention of any statistical data. I've often wondered if this part of the comparison was intentional by Jesus. The Pharisee in the example was attempting to quantify his spirituality. (Compare also the parable of the talents [Mt 25:14-30] and the example of the widow giving the two small coins [Luke 21:1-4], where how much the individual did or gave was less important than their circumstances and personal effort.)
As far as meeting attendance goes, it is easy to quantify attendance: "Yes" or "No." But how would one quantify a person's health? Economic or job circumstances? etc. Does the statistic keeper know if the person attended a different congregation's meeting? One elder here worked overtime for about a year while his employer introduced a new product line. Do you quit a job that has provided many years of steady income simply because of a relatively short fluxuation?
In the first century, where society was divided up into "rich" and "slaves" and "free persons," not all would have the same opportunities. By its nature, a meeting has to have a set time. But "slaves" would not be in so much control of when they were free to meet. Meeting statistics would tell you who had perfect circumstances and who had abandoned meeting altogether. But they wouldn't help you understand the bulk of people's circumstances.
With regard to meetings, it is interesting that the writer of Hebrews 10:25 says, ". . .not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom. . ." "Not foresking" and making a "custom" of missing meetings is different from saying, 'do not miss any meetings.' The NIV Application Commentary on Hebrews notes about this verse (George H. Guthrie, p. 348):
Another caution is in order with regard to the author's [of Hebrews] challenge to "not give up meeting together." This exhortation has been used at times to exhort church members to attend every meeting offered by the church during the week . . .
The principle behind this part of the author's challenge, however, has to do with consistant involvement in the life of the church rather than frenetic activity in all programs of the church. We as church leaders must not burden people with a guilt trip if they are not at the church five nights a week.
[End of quote.]
I can see where WT regimentation and statistical dependence causes a lot of people to be thrown by the wayside.
