I believe that Peggy and Brenna's DID answer the question. They simply chose to answer it with an "outside of the box" reply that offered an "outside of the box" solution.

If we, by example, inspire our "church people" to reach outside the church more, I truly believe that it will result in more people with strong personal commitments to our church programs.  I've seen so many "church people" on the fringes of church life transformed into vibrant, hungry and committed church goers by a single "outreach" experience. Once they experience God working through them "out there" they are hungry for Bible study, service in the church and time in worship and the Word.

Lisa B from NC

Sorry, but in my experience dealing with uncommitted "church people" I must disagree. Again, Kathy was referring to Christian families and not just churchgoers or non-christians. Those are the ones we need to reach out to. It is impossible to inspire anyone to reach out without first inspiring them to reach in and commit themselves.  I have had to sit down with parents to discuss their lack of commitment to the church/ministry (initial post) and have made it clear that the ones suffering are the same ones they are trying to stay close to by keeping them busy outside the church. Needless to say 2 out of three of these families have reaped the benefits of being committed to God, family and church because they have taken heed. You see, you cannot even begin to be a good witness "outside" if you are not first a good disciple "inside". Again, getting families involved in the church MUST start with emphasizing the importance of corporate fellowship and spiritual growth through discipleship. It is a heart issue no matter how you put it or try to resolve it. We must first target the heart.  

Have a blessed Easter everyone and keep on keepin' on with the Great Commission!

Lisa B from NC

Amen! And that's what makes us a family and not just board members.

Uncle PJ, can I borrow some of those VBS decorations you have hidden in the garage?? LOL

God Bless!  Angie

Imagine what an impact it would make on our church family if we showed up at the local baseball game or theater production.  Maybe our presence would show the families just how much they mean to us and ultimately Christ. At the same time offering us a new perspective on our community, one not tainted by stained glass windows.  I don't think missing a church session is going to do much damage.  I understand that there is a heart issue involved.  But can we change that with a pointing finger from behind the church gates?  When Christ told us to go, it wasn't just for those lost people.  We need to encourage our families and show them how important they are and how much we need them in order to complete the task given to us.

Kate Radford
Children's Ministry Coordiator
Carmichael, CA

I agree with you 100%, but what the initial post was asking was for ideas on how to compete with these other events and "encourage" church families to get more involved in church and support its ministries as much as they do these other activities. It's no doubt that we as a church must "GO" into the world and make disciples, that IS the Great Commission. My point is that many of these families don't just take one or two Sundays off, but a season! This not only CAN but WILL hinder them from growing spiritually and therefore making it impossible for them to be effective witnesses out in the field. If were were talking about spiritually mature and biblically grounded families who take one or two Sundays off for sports and use it to the advantage of the Gospel well, that is another story and again, that is where I agree with you 100%. The heart issue is with those who are not grounded in their faith because they are not spiritually disciplined to Bible Study, corporate worship and ministry support. They will come every now and then and feel like they have paid their dues. They give precedence to "family" activities over God and church. They are more committed to their earthly life than they are to their spiritual one. Prayerfully we can encourage them by letting them know that they are a VERY IMPORTANT part of the body of Christ and that we need them as much as the head needs the hands, feet, etc. to function effectively (1Cor. 12:14-20). I believe this begins with admonition and emphasize on Bible study, worship and laboring in the house of the Lord. This will prepare them to become effective witnesses when they are out in the field.

gladscientist (3/13/2008)

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I'd like to hear some ideas about how to compete with the MANY activitites families are committed to and how to get them just as committed to their church and their children's relationship w/ Christ.  We are always running up against team practices during the week and tournaments that take families out of town on the weekends.  I'd love to challenge families to give up one activity (for a specific time frame) and instead, get their kids to commit to a church sponsored activity.  Would it ever fly?

Kathy,

I just had a private conversation with someone who truly understand your concern. We have both agreed that without a doubt we must first GO OUT and preach this Gospel of love, first by example and then as a witness of it's great power. Then we need to BRING them IN in order to make disciples of them. It is expected that those who are going OUT have been prepared (through bible study and spiritual disciplines) because you cannot give what you do not have. 

It's truly sad and a poor reflection of the church when in addition to preaching laymen have to go into the field and also "disciple" church families. It clearly shows that somewhere we as leaders are not doing what we've been called to do within the walls of our churches. (Titus 2:11-15).

For what I have gathered from this thread one thing is clear, these "church" families need to be encouraged to commit themselves to God and their church. Obviously the world has been more successful in capturing their hearts. The true problem is not only a heart issue, but a lack of admonition by us pastors and teachers. Other factors can also play a role in the lack of interest for one's own chruch. As my friend suggested, it could be as a result of a watered down Gospel, a mediocre view on the importance of discipleship or, what I truly beleive is more likely than not, the church has become nothing but a social gathering for many. A social gathering where there is no excitment or "power" and therfore it becomes unattractive and boring. How cna anyone commit to that! The "world" with it's entertainments (sports, family reunions, the arts, etc) are more exciting and fulflling. God help us! We as leaders need to find the boldness, creativity and commitment to preach, teach and prepare families to love God above all things and grow in the knowledge of holiness. A healthy church is a church with healthy families. But they cannot be healthy if we are not doing our job of feeding them the necessary nutrients.

One idea (as stated earlier) and one I have done successfully is to meet with these families on a one to one basis and remind them how important they are to God and the church family. And there is nothing more powerful to teach them this than with the lWord of God, with genuine love and by example. We can do so many things to lure them in, but if we do not address the root (their relationship with Christ) we will just hold them in until the next sport season or family event.

For the record, my kids have been involved in sports and I have been to numerous family/friends sports events, BUT NEVER on a Sunday morning or Bible study night.