Attendance in Christian preaching highlights the importance of regular participation in corporate worship and fellowship, emphasizing faithfulness and commitment to the local church (Hebrews 10:25). Illustrations often use vivid pictures like the warmth of a burning fire joined with others or the strength of a bundle of sticks, symbolizing unity and spiritual vitality through consistent gathering.
Adults are skipping Sunday School. Since 1970, 14 million people have dropped off S.S. rolls. 34 percent decline. Fewer church members attend S.S. In 1970, 31%. 1986, 18%. Large numbers of American children are missing out on religious training. In 1970, 10% of population said they had no religious training as a child. In 1987, 27 percent responded the same way.
Evangelist Louis Arnold quoted Paul Harvey about a 73-year-old man who was rescued by friends, just in the nick of time, after being pinned beneath his tractor longer than Jonah was in the belly of the great fish. Although his ordeal took place during a driving rain in a terrible storm, the four days and nights cost him only the amputation of one leg below the knee. It could have cost him his life - and would have, too, had not his friends come looking.
Why did they go to his farm to check? He missed prayer meeting! Not showing up for the least attended service on the church calendar caused those who knew him to realize something must be drastically wrong. His faithfulness to the Lord and His work saved his life.
If you missed prayer meeting, would any come looking for you, fearful that something terrible had happened?
"Dear Pastor, If God rested on the 7th day, why do kids still have to go to Sunday school? Yours sincerely, Jerry, age 8, Duluth.
An analysis of the decline in Sunday school attendance. 5 goals for growth are given:
1. Growth requires a vision.
2. Excellence in Bible teaching, personal caring, programming.
3. Have a system of recruiting, evangelizing, and discipling.
4. Pastors must see them as a measure of their own success or failure.
5. They must capture the imagination and prayer of God's people.
Three types of members:
1. Loyalist.
2. Opportunist.
3. Idealist.
Ideas on motivating and retaining these types is given.
*
Read by Ledgewood Baptist Sunday School superintendent Pam Freund:
"The attendance at Sunday morning worship shows the popularity of the church.
The attendance at Sunday evening study shows the popularity of the preacher.
But the attendance at prayer meeting shows the popularity of Jesus."
In a recent issue of “Glass Window,” a contributor recalls that several years ago, The British Weekly published this provocative letter:
Dear Sir:
It seems ministers feel their sermons are very important and
spend a great deal of time preparing them. I have been attending
church quite regularly for 30 years and I have probably heard
3,000 of them. To my consternation, I discovered I cannot
remember a single sermon. I wonder if a minister’s time might be
more profitably spent on something else?
For weeks a storm of editorial responses ensued... finally ended by this letter:
Dear Sir:
I have been married for 30 years. During that time I have eaten
32,850 meals- mostly my wife’s cooking. Suddenly I have
discovered I cannot remember the menu of a single meal. And
yet... I have the distinct impression that without them, I would
have starved to death long ago.
Sometime between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the typical rabbi slips one or more not-so-subtle messages into the High Holy Day services.
Perhaps the rabbi will remind the throng that the doors are open year round or note that it's usually easier to find spaces in pews. Everyone laughs, because they've heard this before. But once the 10-day holy season has ended, as it did Wednesday, many of the worshippers vanish -- until next year.
The problem is that so many Jews center their faith on a few rites and seasons in synagogues and temples, said Ron Wolfson, director of the Whizin Institute for Jewish Family Life, in Los Angeles. Instead, more need to embrace rituals and symbols that they can use week after week in their homes.
“What we are dealing with here is a supermarket mentality,” he said. “People say, 'If I want exercise, I can go to the health club. If I want to buy something, I can go to the mall.’ ... Then it's natural to say, 'If I want some religion, then I know where to go -- I can go to the synagogue.'”
Obviously, Jews are not the only people who recite this American credo. Catholic priests face this issue every Christmas Eve at midnight mass.
Preachers everywhere struggle to smile at vaguely familiar faces on Easter. However, Jews face a dizzying list of bleak statistics and puzzles of their own -- especially those linked to intermarriage between Jews and non-Jews and their “assimilation” into the fragmented patterns of urban life.
Wolfson is convinced the key breakdown occurred at home. As more families shed Jewish traditions, the emphasis shifted to Jewish groups and spiritual “professionals.” The result, beginning in the 1950s, was an explosion of growth in big institutions. Millions began to commute to Jewish life.
“Pessimists will say that if things keep going the way they're going, Jewish life will all but disappear,” he said. “Optimists will say that we'll struggle along somehow.... But here's the big question: What are we going to do?”
This question is especially relevant following Rosh Hashanah, when Jews begin a new year, and Yom Kippur, when they face the reality of sin and pledge to renew their faith. Yet millions soon find themselves back at home, facing a familiar maze of careers, pocket calendars and school events, amid the drone of mass media.
Truth is, said Wolfson, many have “no clue how to be Jewish parents.” He suggests they start by learning a weekly rite -- the blessing of their children before each Shabbat, or Sabbath.
The simple blessing for daughters includes familiar biblical names: “May God make you like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah.” But there is a poignant, and very contemporary, message in the blessing for sons: “May God make you like Ephraim and Menasseh.” These boys were raised as nobles in Egypt after their father, Joseph, overcame slavery to become a counselor to the Pharaoh. Yet Ephraim and Menassah were given a special blessing by Jacob, their grandfather.
“It's natural to ask, `Who are these guys?',” said Wolfson. “The key is that they had a Jewish father, who married an Egyptian, and they grew up under tremendous pressure to assimilate into another culture -- yet they kept their Jewish identity,” said Wolfson. “When you say that to Jewish parents, it rings all kinds of bells. This is precisely the challenge so many face today.”
This rite may be embarrassing for some parents. Others may question their right to lay hands on their children's heads and to recite holy words. After all, the prayers end with a “priestly” benediction: “May the Lord bless you and watch over you. May the Lord cause His face to shine upon you ...”
But these words must be spoken many times -- in the home -- if children are going to have strong “Jewish memories,” said Wolfson. “Parents must realize that they can get back on a Jewish road map,” he said. “You can resume your Jewish journey and take your children with you. But that road has to go through the home.”
________
Terry Mattingly teaches communications at Milligan College in Tennessee. He writes this weekly column for the Scripps Howard News Service.
The ideal time for a minister to leave a church is when the ministry is at its peak, but such career moves unfortunately are not the norm, according to an expert in youth ministry.
Philip Briggs maintained most ministers resign at only two times -- too early or too late. “But the call of God is not a life sentence,” observed Briggs, professor of youth education and recreation at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas. “The God who called you into ministry can call you out of ministry.”
Speaking to participants in Youth Ministry National Conference 5 at the Georgia International Convention Center in Atlanta, Briggs said some warning signs can indicate the need for considering the need to move on in one’s ministry.
Signals that a “bumpy road” lies ahead are:
• an obvious loss of support from the minister’s focus group in the church, other staff members and the congregation.
• complaints that begin to surface in business meetings and in other settings.
• a decrease in attendance and financial contributions.
• a radical change in lay leadership, either through volunteer positions that go unfilled or through a major change in persons placed in leadership positions.
• staff persons who begin to take immovable stands on issues, especially when the staff person has been flexible in the past.
• ministers beginning to feel defensive about the program they lead or about themselves.
“I’m not sure we see the signs,” Briggs said, “because we are too close to it.”
Contributing to career difficulties can be factors within the church, he added. Among those are congregational stress, many times of long standing; some who are not pastors but want to be, both from within the staff and within the church membership; “sidewalk superintendents;” competition syndrome; confusion over the New Testament role of the pastor; lack of fellowship within the church; lack of awareness of the mission of the church or a group within the church, such as the youth group.
Factors which may contribute to solving problems and avoiding an untimely career move can include maintaining communication within the staff and the personnel committee, a process of accountability and evaluation, regularly planned and conducted staff meetings, retraining and retooling of ministers and attempts at mediation.
Briggs said vocational factors that heavily influence success in a church staff position include creative achievement, successful interaction with others and one’s genuine uniqueness.
“We tend in our younger years to overinvest in one of the first two,” he observed. “At middle age, the imbalance begins to be felt. We neglect ourselves or we overinvest in ourselves while neglecting the other two.”
For a youth minister to monitor his standing with a church, Briggs suggested, “Look at yourself, your family, your program and your youth. Look at your church. Like people, they have personalities. And they are also prone to change.
“Don’t take yourself too seriously,” he cautioned. “But take your job seriously.”
_________
Copyright (c) 1996 Baptist Press
Forty years or so ago Bro. Lemoine Lewis (ACU) was completing his doctorate at Harvard Univ. Preached for small church in New England. One Sunday A.M. stranger: "I've been looking for the true church for a long time. I hope this will be that church." After services: "I think I found it! I'll be back tonight." Returned. After PM service asked to speak with Bro. Lewis. Stated he thought he had found true church but was confident he had not. Lewis: Why? Point of doctrine, spirituality? Stranger: "If this had been the true church all those who were here this morning would have returned tonight." Walked out the door and never returned.
Christian Football
QUARTERBACK SNEAK: Church members quietly leaving during the invitation.
DRAW PLAY: What many children do with the bulletin during worship.
HALF-TIME: The period between Sunday School and worship when many choose to leave.
BENCHWARMER: Those who do not sing, pray, work, or apparently do anything but sit.
BACKFIELD-IN-MOTION: Making a trip to the back (restroom or water fountain) during the service.
STAYING IN THE POCKET: What happens to a lot of money that should be given to the Lord’s work.
TWO-MINUTE WARNING: The point at which you realize the sermon is almost over and begin to gather up your children and belongings.
INSTANT REPLAY: The preacher loses his notes and falls back on last week’s illustrations.
SUDDEN DEATH: What happens to the attention span of the congregation if the preacher goes “overtime”.
TRAP: You’re called on to pray and are asleep.
END RUN: Getting out of church quick, without speaking to any guest or fellow member.
FLEX DEFENSE: The ability to allow absolutely nothing said during the sermon to affect your life.
HALFBACK OPTION: The decision of 50% of the congregation not to return for the evening service.
BLITZ: The rush for the restaurants following the closing prayer.
THE BACKSLIDER'S RESOLUTIONS
JANUARY-- "I hereby resolve to start to church this year. But I'll wait til February. Gotta get over the holidays. They take a lot out of a fellow, you know."
FEBRUARY-- "Weather is terrible. I'll start when it warms up a bit. My blood is so thin this time of the year."
MARCH-- "Lots of sickness just now. Got to keep away from those bugs. A person can't afford to take a chance."
APRIL-- "Easter... big crowds... you can't get a decent seat. Anyhow they won't miss me. It would look strange if I showed up only at Easter."
MAY-- "I've been holed up all winter and now that the weather is getting pretty... It's time for reunions, too."
JUNE-- "I'll wait until the baby is older... how on earth do some folks bring their babies at two weeks of age and then never miss a Sunday?"
JULY-- "Boy! Is the heat terrific! We've got that cabin that we still owe for.. and that boat for Sunday pleasure."
AUGUST-- "Preacher is on vacation. He'll never know if I miss this one. Never like guest preachers anyhow... but when the preacher gets back..."
SEPTEMBER-- "School has started. Vacation threw me behind with my work. Gotta make a last visit to Grandma's before it snows..."
OCTOBER-- "Leaves are beautiful. I can worship God outdoors anyhow... and the kids will be cooped up all winter."
NOVEMBER-- "My heart is bursting with gratitude and thanksgiving... The holidays are a wonderful time to start back."
DECEMBER-- "What a madhouse! Right after this is over my family and I will start back to church... the first Sunday in January. This next year I will resolve..."
Don't wait until the hearse hauls you to church. If you do:
1. You will go, regardless of the weather.
2. You will go, regardless of the condition of your body.
3. There will be beautiful flowers there, but you won't enjoy them.
4. You will go, regardless of how your family feels.
5. The minister may say many good things, but they will do you no good.
6. There will be beautiful music, but you won't hear it.
7. There will be heartfelt prayers, but they will not touch your heart.
8. There will be friends and relatives there, but you won't worship with them.
9. You will go, no matter how many hypocrites are there.
10. You will go, no matter how much you are needed at home or work.
11. You will receive no blessing from the service.
12. You won't feel concerned about your clothes.
13. You will never have to decide about attending church again.
Aren't you glad to be alive and well and full of zest and able to choose to go to church? -- Walter Nuessl
A Christian who had stopped going to church received a visit from his minister. They sat down in front of a blazing log fire. The man explained to the minister that he thought it was unnecessary to go to church or to ever meet up with any other Christians in Bible studies. The minister made no reply. He simply removed one of the burning logs from the fire and put it on the side of the fireplace. After the minister had left the man came back to his fire, saw that the log had stopped burning and put it back into the fire again. Then he understood what the minister thought about the necessity of Christian fellowship even though he had not said a word about it. - from 1500 Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching, R. Backhouse compiler.
One Christmas Eve the telephone rang in the office of the pastor of the church in Washington, D.C., that President Franklin Roosevelt attended. “Tell me, Reverend,” the voice inquired, “are you holding a Christmas Eve service tonight?” When advised that there would certainly be a service that evening, the caller asked, “And do you expect President Roosevelt to attend your church tonight?”
“That,” explained the pastor patiently, “I can't promise. I'm not sure about the President's plans for this evening. But I can say that we fully expect God to be in our church tonight, and we feel secure in the knowledge that His attendance will attract a reasonably large congregation.”
"And when the Day of Pentecost was fully come, they were NOT all gathered together in one place. They
had intended to be there but so many things interferred. Actually only 76 of the 120 could make it, and for some very good reasons too! Peter and his wife had bought a camping outfit so they could get away from the city on weekends, and they had gone to Lake Galilee. John just couldn't put off painting his backyard fence another day. Nathaniel needed to catch up on the books of his fig-brokerage business and Matthew was behind in his tax-collecting, having wandered around with Jesus for so long. Martha felt like a headache was coming on and she needed to do some house-cleaning anyway. James heard something like a mighty rushing wind, so he was afraid it might rain. So, you see, what with one thing and another, the crowd was just a bit sparse on that particular first day of the week.
Of course, that really shouldn't have hurt the church, because Philip, along with Thomas and Thaddaeus
and several others showed up and carried on valiantly. The multitude did recognize them as men who had been with Jesus and they did admire their devotion. However, the multitude also noticed that there used to be a lot more besides these, but evidently, this Jesus wasn't much of a Messiah since about half of his followers found other things more important than obeying his commands.
Still, about 1700 people were baptized and, following the example of many of Jesus' disciples, 941 of them
continued more or less steadfastly in some of the apostles' teaching, and occasionally breaking bread and
praying from time to time. A few even sold part of their possessions and gave them to the poor. But a
dispute arose about whether or not they ought to care for the Grecian widows and Stephen, who had been a real leader for a while, got so disgusted that he applied for a professor of history position at the Univ. of Jeru
salem. The last I heard, O Theophilus, they've dwindled down to about 456, but this number is divided into 4 or 5 groups, none of which has anything to do with any of the others."
A pioneer preacher was called upon to preach the funeral of a man who had refused all his life to go to church.
As the pallbearers neared the door of the church building, the old preacher stood in the doorway and beckoned to them saying, "Gentlemen, I have never taken undue advantage of any living person; neither will I do so of the dead. If this man were living, he would not enter this building. Put him down right there. Let's respect him enough to finish his earthly pilgrimage as he lived it."
The brief services were conducted from the door, while the deceased body rested in the casket on the church lawn.
Why Don't You Go To Every Service?
Save this, and next time you intend to miss a church service, find the reason, then read the passage that will help you make your decision.
Too busy.................................................... Heb. 9:27
Too many hypocrites......................................... Rev. 3:4
Too tired................................................... Matt. 11:28
Too Far..................................................... Rom. 8:38-39
My feelings were hurt....................................... Matt. 6:12
Don't have clothes.......................................... James 2:1-5
Church not popular.......................................... Matt. 7:13-14
Had company................................................. Luke 10:38-42
Weather too bad............................................. Rom. 8:35
Don't feel good............................................. Luke 24:46
Don't want to............................................... Heb. 4:1
Bundle of sticks cannot be broken; one stick can be. Log burns bright & hot when close to other burning logs; goes out when alone. Can you go to heaven and not go to church? Pointless question. Can you get to Washington D.C. without driving a car or riding a train? Yes, but why would you even want to try?
Nowhere in the Bible does it say we must have our names on a church membership roll to be saved. That doesn't mean, however, that joining with other believers in a local church is not vital to our spiritual growth. Gathering regularly for worship and instruction encourages love for others, good works, and mutual accountability (Heb. 10:24,25).
I read an article some time ago that likened the Christian without a church to:
* a student who won't go to school
* a soldier without an army
* a citizen who won't vote
* a seaman without a ship
* a child without a family
* a drummer without a band
* a ballplayer without a team
* a honeybee without a hive
* a scientist who does not share his finding with his colleagues
As Christians we need to be like "boxing managers" to one another. Week after week we're in the "ring" of life mixing it up with the world. We give some blows. We take some. We win some rounds. We lose others. At regular intervals the "bell" rings and we go to our corner (church). Crucial that someone be in our corner! World doesn't offer this type of encouragement.
TEN REASONS WHY I NEVER WASH
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Though I attend church faithfully, I never wash. Here are my reasons:
1. My mother made me wash as a child.
2. The soap makers only want my money.
3. There are so many different soaps, I'd never decide which was right.
4. I used to wash, but it got boring, so I quit.
5. I do wash on special days like Easter and Christmas.
6. I work hard all week and am too tired to take a bath on the weekend.
7. People who wash are hypocrites. They think they are cleaner by far.
8. I get along very well without washing.
9. Hardly any friends I have, wash.
10. I'm still young. When I get older and dirtier I may wash."
(Church Bus News, April-June 1997)
THE DAY GOD CAME
By James Corner
As I looked out my window, I had never seen a more beautiful day. When I strolled outside to pick up the morning paper, there was a nice cool breeze and a sky that seemed to jump at me with the most beautiful blue color I had ever seen. I had thought that this was just another typical Sunday morning but as I stood outside, I could sense that this would be no ordinary day. I returned to the house and something told me that the paper could wait and so I dressed immediately. Usually we would drag into the worship service at the start of the second song but today I decided to go to Bible Class. We only live 3 blocks from the church building so I rushed through breakfast, helped my wife with the kids and off we went.
There was an excitement in the air that I had never experienced as we made our short trek. As we reached the building we looked down the road and about a half a mile away it appeared as though a large number of horses were marching down the street. Indeed, as they drew closer I saw 70 of the most beautiful coal black stallions that I had ever seen. The precision with which they marched in step was finer than any military unit that I had ever witnessed. All of a sudden, I couldn't believe my eyes because there were two men flying above the stallions. -They appeared to be heavenly beings so I pinched myself, but All I received was pain rather than the shattering of a dream. The men were crying out as they approached the building but I couldn't understand what they were saying. As they drew closer I could hear, them clearly and I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I turned to my wife and said, "do you hear what I hear?" Her eyes were riveted on the men and she merely nodded yes. The cry, "The Lord is Coming, The Lord is Coming," rumbled through the air.
I then looked behind the 70 stallions and saw 3 of the most beautiful animals that I have ever seen. I say animals because I really don't know what they were. My eyes had never partook of such Majesty. They were pulling a most luxurious coach. The wheels had jet black spokes with diamonds encased throughout. The chassis of the coach was made of shiny brass. Above the chassis sat the finest piece of workmanship that I had ever seen. The arrangement of the different jewels was simply gorgeous. The driver appeared to be, could it be, another angel?
I noticed some of the neighbors as the entourage made its way toward us. One man opened his door, in only his pajamas, shut the door quickly and apparently in no time returned dressed in his Sunday best. House after house ernptied as people ran to the church building and by the time that the coach stopped in front, there was a large gathering.
The angel stepped down and opened the door and out stepped GOD! He didn't look like I had pictured him. Oh, he was tall and strong looking, but his face had the gentle look of a soft, spring day. He had a priceless crown on his head that was dotted all over with magnificient jewels. His long flowing robes were made of the most exquisite ma- terial and the different hues had a beauty that was truly heavenly. As he walked into the auditorium 2 strange phenomena took place. First, everybody was quietly trying to sit near the front! Secondly, there was a quiet like I had never heard before. Indeed, you could have dropped a pin and it would have rang out loud and clear. Those who had been inside earlier had been reading their Bibles or praying or leafing through the songbook but as he entered, we all rose in quiet and reverent unison. As he walked toward the pulpit he ap- peared to be carrying a magazine or some such thing.
When he reached the pulpit he told us to sit down and you know what he had been carrying? It was our local church directory! The silence was deafening as he called out the first name. 'Jerry Adair' and Brother Adair proudly and yet humbly said, "here, Lord." Next he said, 'Mary Adamson' and Mary responded, "here, Lord." He then called out, 'John Allen' and a hush fell on the crowd. Once again he called out, 'John Allen' but there was no response. The silence was broken when a brother near the back of the auditorium apologetically said, "I believe that Brother Allen had to work late last night so he's sleeping in this morning." I braced my- self as I prepared for the stern rebuke that I knew was coming but instead I looked, and could it be, a tear "God doesn't cry." I thought, and yet he was. I had to turn away from looking as I pondered over all of the times that I had brought sorrow to the Lord. I repented quickly and prayed to God that I would never forsake him again. As I prayed he wiped the tears from his eyes and smiled at me. The warmest feeling that I have ever experienced engulfed me. He continued to call out everybody's name and then as he called the last one he announced, "let us worship."
I have never experienced that kind of worship that we had that morning. The song leader seemed to have an enthusiasm that I had never noticed before and the volume of our singing was nearly enough to raise the roof. In the prayers this day there was no "catch-all" phrases, but rather carefully worded thoughts to our Father. The Lord's Supper took longer than usual because everyone seemed to be taking it more seriously. The preacher was at his best inspired by the presence of Almighty God! As the service came to a close, the Lord mounted the pulpit again with this charge: "Children, I enjoyed your praise this morning but am saddened that some of your fellow brethren chose to miss this service. I would appreciate it so much if you would try to talk to them because I am returning tonight."
He then walked slowly out of the building as we all stood in humble reverence. When he got outside, however, instead of getting into his coach, he began to talk with us personally and that thrilled us all. We had the most wonder- ful period of fellowship and then he departed. No one had noticed that it was 1:30. The Cowboy game was nearly half over and you know what, none of us cared. Many of us rushed home and got on the phone while others made personal visits to our missing brethren. When we told them that the Lord would return that evening, they all made plans to attend.
Sure enough, when 6 o'clock rolled around there were only 3 members of the entire body absent. Two were on vacation and the other was in the hospital. Not only did we have the vast majority of the body present, but many had invited friends and the evening service was even better than the morning's. As I walked home that evening, I said to my wife, "this has truly been a great day" and she nodded in peaceful agreement.
Brethren, this story is not nearly as unrealistic as you might think. The next time that your congregation meets for worship, the God of the universe will be present. WILL YOU?
(Originally appeared in the FIRM FOUNDATION.)
RELIGIOUS HITCHHIKERS
R. Kent Hughes
Church attendance is infected with a malaise of conditional loyalty which has produced an army of ecclesiastical hitchhikers. The hitchhiker's thumb says, "You buy the car, pay for repairs and upkeep and insurance, fill the car with gas-- and I'll ride with you. But if you have an accident, you are on your own! and I'll probably sue." So it is with the credo of so many church attenders: "You go to the meetings and support the programs, you grapple with the issues and do the work for the church and pay the bills-- and I'll come along for the ride. But, if things do not suit me, I'll criticize and complain and probably bail out. My thumb is always out for a better ride."
--A BETTER WAY, Spring, TX
A man was stranded on a deserted Pacific island for years. Finally one day
a boat comes sailing into view, and the man frantically waves and draws the
skipper's attention. The boat comes near the island and the sailor gets out
and greets the stranded man.
After a while the sailor asks, "What are those three huts you have here?"
"Well, that's my house there."
"What's that next hut?" asks the sailor.
"I built that hut to be my church."
"What about the other hut?"
"Oh, that's where I used to go to church."
REASONS I STOPPED ATTENDING FOOTBALL GAMES/Church
1. Every time I went, they asked me for money.
2. The people sitting next to me didn't seem very friendly.
3. The seats were too hard.
4. The coach/Pastor never came to call on me.
5. The referee/Deacons made a decision I disagreed with.
6. I was sitting with hypocrites - they came only to see what
others were wearing.
7. Some of the games/services went into overtime and I was late
getting home.
8. The band/Choir did songs I didn't like.
9. The games/services were scheduled when I wanted to do other things.
10. My parents took me to too many games/churches when I was
growing up.
11. Since I read a book about football/religioin, I know more than
the coaches/pastors do anyhow.
12. I don't want to take my children, because I want them to choose
for themselves what sport/religion they like best.
Will A Man Rob God?
A proverb is told of a Chinese gentleman who was traveling through the country. He owned seven coins which he carried on a string. Beside the road he saw a beggar and compassionately gave him six of the coins. The beggar went his way and the gentleman found a place to spend the night. As he slept, the beggar slipped up and stole the seventh coin.
It was a despicable act. But before we judge him too harshly, we should be careful lest we condemn ourselves. God has given us six days out of compassion of His heart and let us use them for our work and pleasure. One day He has designated as a time for worship. How many of us are not content with the six days but steal and pervert the seventh to our way?
--THE REMINDER, Bay, Arkansas
Sunday Night
I love the church that Jesus built,
and I know that it is right,
I go there on Sunday morning,
but not on Sunday night.
I love to sing the songs to God,
such worship must be right,
This I do on Sunday morning,
but not on Sunday night.
God bless our preacher too,
and give him power and might,
To put the sinner in his place,
I won't be there Sunday night.
I love to hear the gospel too,
it gives me pure delight,
I hear it on Sunday morning,
but not on Sunday night.
I'd go through rain, sleet, and snow,
to do anything that is right,
To be at church on Sunday morning,
but not on Sunday night.
Yes we all must die,
I hope to be doing right,
So may I die on Sunday morning,
and not on Sunday night.
Regular churchgoers healthier, live longer
By Gary D. Robertson Associated Press
RALEIGH, N.C.
Seniors who attend church or synagogue regularly might possess the
secret of longevity.
In another report linking good health with religion, Duke
University researchers say seniors with regular church or synagogue
attendance are not only healthier but also more likely to live longer
than the non religious.
The researchers, studying nearly 4,000 North Carolinians over 64
years old, found that the death rate of the faithful was 28 per cent
less than those who didn't attend services regularly.
Studies in recent years focusing on the spiritual dimension of
health have yet to show that religious attendance or spirituality
cause physical wholeness. But a mounting body of evidence associates
the religious with better mental health, lower blood pressure and
other health improvements.
The next step, says the study's lead author, Dr. Harold Koenig, is
to identify the behavioral and biological mechanisms linking religion
to disease prevention and good health.
"These studies do not show that if they are going to church for
health reasons, their health will improve," Koenig said. "But if
people go to church for religious reasons, they have better health
and survive longer."
The findings released in the July-August medical sciences edition
of the Journal of Gerontology examined 3,968 adults in five North
Carolina counties from 1986-92.
Researchers interviewed participants each year about church
attendance, their health, social support and alcohol and tobacco use.
The subjects, mostly Christians and Jews, were categorized according
to whether they . attended religious meetings once weekly.
By 1992, 1,177 participants had died.
Analyses showed 46 percent fewer of the church attendees died
during the period than non-churchgoers. But the rate dropped to 28
percent when the differing ages, health and social factors and
smoking and alcohol use within the sample were taken into account.
The respective mortality risks are comparable to those experienced
by smokers vs. nonsmokers, Koenig said. The risk decline was 35
percent in women and 17 percent in men, according to the study.
The report, funded by the National Institutes of Mental Health, is
not the first to link religious practice to a lower risk of dying.
A California study of 5,300 people over 28 years generated similar
findings, but the survey sample ranged from 21 to 65 years of age.
And the sample's mortality was 15 percent compared with about 30
percent for the Duke study.
The health benefits of church attendance may be related to the
increased social support found in religious groups," Koenig said
"Other members are committed to you praying for you," he said. "You
get sick, don't show up for church, and people call to ask why you
weren't there."
Church attendance also may prompted the faithful to be more
conscientious about taking medication. A deep religious faith, while
synonymous with attending church, may also help people cope with
tragedy and may relieve stress," Koenig said.
Stan Kasl, an epidemiology professor the Yale University medical
school, called the Duke study "an important contribution" firming up
the church-good health association.
"We don't have many of these kind of studies," Kasl said.
A FISH TO PROVE IT
A deacon sent in his apologies for the Sunday morning service,
claiming that he was ill with flu. One of the members, however, said
he had seen the deacon on his way to a ball game.
After the service, the minister went to visit the deacon, "Brother,"
he said, "I have information that you were not sick at all this
morning, but went to watch a ball game."
The deacon protested: "That's a vicious lie! And I'll show you my FISH
to prove it!"
A REGULAR CHURCH ATTENDER
A woman asked her neighbour, "Is your husband a regular church
attender?"
"Oh yes, absolutely!" said the neighbour. "He hasn't missed a
Christmas service since 1982!"
IN WHOSE FAVOR?
John had been watching sports on ESPN all Saturday evening on TV - one
game after the other. Finally, in the early hours of Sunday morning,
he fell asleep in his chair.
When his wife got up the next morning and saw him still sleeping, she
was afraid they would be late for church. "Wake up, John!" she
shouted. "It's ten to eleven!"
John sat up abruptly in his chair. "In whose favor? In whose favor?"
he yelled.
THE CHURCH BELLS
A minister was walking to church one morning when he passed one of his
members working in his garden. "Can't you hear those bells calling you
to church?" asked the minister.
"Eh, what's that?" said the member.
"Can't you hear those bells calling you to church?"
"I'm afraid you'll have to speak a little louder!" said the member.
"CAN'T YOU HEAR THOSE BELLS CALLING YOU TO CHURCH?!" shouted the
minister.
"I'm sorry," said the member, "I can't hear you because of those
darned BELLS!"
A Sunday School teacher was telling her children about the importance of observing the Sabbath Day.
"I never go FISHING on a Sunday!" piped up little Johnny.
"VERY GOOD, Johnny!" said the teacher. "Won't you tell the other children why you don't go fishing on a Sunday?"
Johnny replied: "Because my Daddy won't let me go along!"
It was Sunday morning, and while they were having breakfast, Mrs. Smith said to her husband, "Don't think that you're going to run off to play golf again and leave me to go to church all alone!"
"Why," said her husband, "golf is the LAST thing on my mind today! Pass me the putter, would you?"
[A woman's spirituality vs. a man's spirituality (or lack thereof).]
Nature teaches the need of Sabbath-rest for souls.
For all organic life God has provided periods of repose, during
which repair goes on in order to counteract the waste caused by
activity. In the spring-time we see movement and stir in gardens,
fields and hedgerows, which continues till the fruits are gathered in
and the leaves fall; but then winter's quiet again settles down over
all, and nature is at rest. Even the flowers have their time for
closing their petals, and their sleeping hours come so regularly, and
yet are so varied in distribution among them, that botanists can
construct a floral clock out of our English wild-flowers, and tell the
hour of night or day by their opening or closing. The same God who
created the flowers and appointed the seasons, ordained the laws of
Israel, and by these definite seasons of rest were set apart for the
people -- the Sabbath, the jubilee year, and the annual festivals.
Indeed, in every age and in every land, the coming of night and the
victory of sleep are hints of what God has ordained for man. -- A.
Rowland, LL.B.
By J. Wilbur Chapan, "Present Day Parables."
To the shock of many, a young pastor departed from the established routine in his church one Sunday.
Instead of standing at the door to shake hands with members as they left the service, he went out to the curb, and shook hands with the red-faced parents waiting for their children to come out of Sunday School!
A "NO EXCUSES" SUNDAY
A certain church made the following announcement in their magazine:
"To make it possible for everyone to attend worship next Sunday, we
are having a special "No Excuses" Sunday:
"Beds will be placed in the aisles for all those who say, "Sunday is
the only day I'm able to sleep in late."
"Eye drops will be provided for all those who watch TV too late on
Saturday night.
"Steel helmets will be handed out to all those who say, "The roof will
fall in if I ever come to church!"
"Blankets will be provided for all those who say, "The church is too
cold," and fans for those who say "It's too hot."
"We will have hearing aids for all those who say, "The minister speaks
too softly," and ear plugs for those who say, "The organist plays too
loudly."
"Score cards will be available for all those who wish to keep a record
of the hypocrites present.
"There will be TV dinners for all those who find it difficult to
attend church and prepare the Sunday lunch at the same time.
"One section of the church will be devoted to trees and grass for
those who like to see God in nature.
"Finally, the church will be decorated with Christmas decorations and
Easter flowers for those who have never seen the church without them!"
Brother Ray Smith tells
about the horse rancher who would not go to the
national horse show to sell a horse for 18 thousand dollars, because
his
church was in revival that week
A certain Sunday School superintendent felt keenly the absence from
the Sunday School of a once faithful member. After sometime had passed, he called
at the home of the absentee and found him sitting before the fire. Somewhat
startled by the intrusion, the member hastily placed a chair for the visitor,
and then
waited for the expected rebuke. But not a word did the superintendent
say. Taking a seat before the fireplace, he silently took the tongs and,
lifting a glowing coal from the midst of the others, laid it by itself on the hearthstone. Remaining painfully silent, he watched the blaze die
out. Then the truant murmured: "You needn't say a word; I'll be there next
Sunday morning."
Three pastors got together for coffee one day and found all their
churches had bat-infestation problems. "I got so mad," said one, "I
took a shotgun and fired at them. It made holes in the ceiling, but
did nothing to the bats." "I tried trapping them alive," said the second. "Then I drove 50 miles
before releasing them, but they beat me back to the church." "I haven't had any more problems," said the third. "What did you do?"
asked the others, amazed. "I simply baptized and confirmed them," he
replied. "I haven't seen them since." Reader's Digest, July, 1994, p.
64
Psalm of Summer Now it came to pass that spring turned to summer again. God's people
raised their voices and said: "Recreation is my shepherd, I shall not
stay at home; He maketh me to lie down in a sleeping bag; He leadeth
me down the Interstate each weekend. He restoreth my suntan; He
leadeth me to State Parks for comfort's sake. Even though I stray on
the Lord's Day, I will fear no reprimand, for Thou art with me; my rod
and reel they comfort me. I annointest my skin with oil, my gas tank
runneth dry; Surely my trailer shall follow me all the weekends this
summer, and I shall return to the House of the Lord this fall." But
then it is hunting season and that's another psalm.
Some people don't need much of an excuse to stay home from church. If
it even looks like it might rain, they don't want to risk getting a
little wet. The hymn writer Frances Havergal gave several reasons for attending
church--especially on rainy days. 1. God has blessed the Lord's Day, making no exceptions for
stormy days. 2. I expect my minister to be there. I would be surprised if he
stayed at home because of the weather. 3. I might lose out on the
prayers and the sermon that would
have done me great good. 4. For important business, rain doesn't
keep me home; and church
is, in God's sight, very important. 5. Bad weather...will prove how
much I love Christ. True love
rarely fails to keep an appointment. 6. Those who stay home from
church because it's rainy frequently
miss on fair Sundays too. I must not take one step in that
direction. 7. Christ said that "where two or three are gathered
together in
My name, I am there in the midst of them" (\reference{Matthew
18:20}{Matthew 18:20}). 8. I don't know how many more Sundays God may
give me. It would
be poor preparation for my first Sunday in heaven to have
slighted my last one on earth. Enough said! P.R.V., Daily Bread
In an article title, "Are We Ready for Heaven?" Maurice R. Irwin
points out that only 34 percent of the American people who call
themselves Christians attend church at least once a week. He says, "We
sing, 'When all my labors and trials are o'er, and I am safe on that
beautiful shore, just to be near the dear Lord I adore will through
the ages be glory for me.' However, unless our attitudes toward the
Lord and our appreciation of Him change greatly, heaven may be more of
a shock than a glory." Daily Bread, July 31, 1992
A husband and his wife arose one Sunday morning and the
wife dressed for church. It was just about time for the service
when she noticed her husband hadn't moved a finger toward getting
dressed. Perplexed, she asked, "Why aren't you getting dressed for
church?" He said, "Cause I don't want to go." She asked, "Do you
have any reason?" He said, "Yes, I have three good reasons.
First, the congregation is cold. Second, no one likes me. And
third, I just don't want to go." The wife replied, wisely, "Well,
honey, I have three reasons why you should go. First, the
congregation is warm. Second, there are a few people there who
like you. And third, you're the pastor! So get dressed!"
- James S Hewett, ed ILLUSTRATIONS UNLIMITED p182
A pastor was being patronized by a millionaire. "I never go to
church, pastor," the millionaire said, "Perhaps you've noticed?"
"Yes, I have noticed it," said the pastor gravely.
"Well, the reason I don't go to church is that there are so many
hypocrites there."
"Oh, don't let that keep you away," said the pastor, smiling,
"There's always room for one more, you know."
- Anthology of Anecdotes p. 170
An old farmer who was attending a church convention chuckled to
himself as he read over the subjects of the program. "See here,
parson," he said to his pastor, "you've had papers and discussions all
day on how to get people to attend your meetings. I've never heard a
single address at a farmers' convention on how to get the cattle to
come up to the rack. We put all our time on the best kinds of feed. I
sort of have a notion that, if you put more time on discussin' what to
put in the rack, you wouldn't have to spend all that time discussin'
how to get your folks to attend."
William Moses Tidwell, "Pointed Illustrations."
A few days ago Douglas Thompson, one of our finest boys, came home
from the army on furlough. His family did not know of his coming until
his mother, who was getting ready to come to Sunday school and church,
saw him coming up the front walk. Well, you can imagine about what
took place. I think we never saw a mother more devoted to a son than
this mother. But what did she do? Did she abandon the idea of going to
church and remain at home with her son? He was so tired and worn that
it was about impossible for him to come. No, she did not stay at home.
She quickly fixed him a lovely breakfast and arranged for him to get
some rest, and she came on to the house of God, so happy that she was
just touching the high places. The Bible says, "Forsake not the
assembling of yourselves together." It also says, "Them that honour me
I will honour." She did both of these. Her family have great respect
for her salvation, and she can pray and claim the promise of God.
It is said that Demothenes was speaking upon a very important subject. As he spoke, his hearers became very drowsy and uninterested. He suddenly stopped and said, “My hearers, I have a very important matter to relate.” Then he said, “A gentleman hired a donkey from another man. They were to make a trip from Athens to Megara on a very hot day. They both desired to rest in the shadow of the donkey. The man who hired the donkey insisted that, when he hired the donkey, this included the shadow. The Owner of the donkey insisted that he hired only the donkey and not the shadow.” Then suddenly he stopped, but the crowd was so interested that they insisted that he explain further. Then Demosthenes turned upon them and said, “O ye Athenians, ye are greatly interested when I speak of the shadow of a donkey, but you go to sleep when I speak about solemn matters.”
Too many church-goers don't pay attention to the Word of God when it is being preached. However, these same “Christians” will eagerly listen and pay attention to senseless and worthless matters!
William Moses Tidwell, “Pointed Illustrations.”
Top 10 reasons for not attending church:
10. Your eyes might close before the sermon does.
9. Someone may pass a collection plate in your general proximity.
8. It could conflict with the awarding of the awarding of the
$20,000,000 prize for the Funniest Animal Accident on America's
Funniest Home Videos.
7. The minister might be on vacation.
6. The minister might not be on vacation.
5. You could bump into a stranger who would ask your name.
4. You could bump into a friend who would ask what in the world you
were doing there.
3. A hypocrite might sit close enough for you to smell his or her
obsession.
2. Elvis won't be there.
1. Your kids may want to come back next week.
- {Parentlife, }July, 1994, p. 38
An unknown writer offered the following analysis of why some people
attend church:
Some go to church to take a walk;
Some go there to laugh and
talk.
Some go there to meet a friend;
Some go there their time to
spend.
Some go there to meet a lover;
Some go there a fault to
cover.
Some go there for speculation;
Some go there for
observation.
Some go there to doze and nod -
Some wise go there to
worship God.
- {Proclaim, }July-Sept, 1975, p. 32
Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.
Donate