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| Pastor Joe is so on target. We can't force people to do anything. But, is the church really totally responsible for creating a package that is so enticing you can't resist being there for worship or are we responsible to gather to worship our God because he's worthy and we aspire to grow in greater grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour? The bible does call us to not forsake gathering together. God doesn't NEED it (although I rather imagine he's pleased by it) but we do--our strength in the world comes from our time in fellowship and worship with other believers. I wonder about the strength of a witness on Sunday morning while you stand on a soccer field. I wonder about the witness to children that church comes after sports. (although I won't deny there is witnessing). I had a neighbor in Florida who was Jewish. She told me one year that the only people she knew who she thought had the right to celebrate Christmas was my family because we went to church and worshipped our God all year long. Interesting take from an outsider looking in. As to the answer to the original question-Kathy, changing people's hearts is what will bring them into the church for fellowship and worship. That's what the church needs to focus on--not a feel good experience but a true heart change and the question is how to do that. Not intending to step on any toes--just voicing my opinion. The fellowship on the board here is to precious.
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| I want to reiterate for the record, that I don't want to see churches shut down on Sunday mornings to attend soccer games. I keep feeling that I have been misinterpreted and misrepresented. HOWEVER, since the original poster seemed to be talking about midweek activities and children's programming (not main worship services) I think that we as a corporate church need to constantly reevaluate how to best meet the needs of those we are trying to disciple. Since this has been on my mind alot lately, I wanted to point out that the scripture does say to go AND make disciples, not go THEN make disciples. Seems to me that Jesus wanted us to make disciples out in the world, rather than bringing them back to a building and a predetermined meeting time. I do believe that corporate worship is essential. And I struggle alot as a pastor's wife with the dedication that people have to church and God. But as a parent of three kids, I also know that life can get really insane sometimes. And if Sunday evening programs begin at 7 and you want your children home and in bed at 8:30 to get up and go to school, the choice might be to stay home. It doesn't mean you aren't a Christian, but it might mean that you are committed to the health and wellbeing of your family. We were just discussing a similar issue at our Sunday evening Bible Study and tossing around ideas that would better meet the needs of families in our communities. Would providing a dinner one night a week be helpful? Would providing afterschool tutoring be helpful? How can we show families that we care about their spiritual health AND their mental health. The world and our churches are changing and the old models may not be the best for where we are right now. And changing HOW we do programming doesn't mean we change the gospel, just the church schedule. So rather than competing, what about showing love; bringing joy; giving peace; remaining persistent in training; being kind and compassionate; staying pure, holy and good; adhering faithfully to the gospel message; submitting in gentleness to God's commands; and controlling our own selfish traditions and desires for the good of others?
Pictures taken on vacation at Lake Junaluska, NC.
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| This morning our pastor's sermon hit home with me in regards to our discussion in this thread. He said "Noboby cares what you know until they know you care."
Lisa B from NC
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| Hello, I have been reading your posts and following the discussions on reaching our families. I have the same concerns and spent most of last year trying to "figure out" if it was my programing, poor communication, or just busy parents. I like to believe it is busy parents rather than admit it has to do with me - just kidding. Anyway through many prayers and reading articles and your discussions, I have come to the conclusion that I cannot get them to be committed to our program without more connection between my programming and their home lives. I will be trying to reach them a new way this year - I hope you all will pray for my success. My plan is to send a weekly e-mail to every child's parents every Thursday am (the day after our mid-week program). In the e-mail, I will give them a week's worth of simple ways to incorporate our learning at church with building their spirituality at home which they will print out and keep as a visual reminder throughout the week. And I really do mean simple, my plan is to include 2 or 3 topics/questions to discuss at dinner each night, a short bible passage, a prayer focus for the children's prayers, and one family activity for each week - like playing a board game together, or going to the park together. This will go to all parents whether their children attend or not. It is my hope that as they have simple conversations during dinner each night, short bible readings and focused prayer each evening, their hearts will begin to long for more for their children. That is when they will make the committment to get their child to our programs. As I stated before, I hope you all will pray for success and if you have any helpful ideas or resources, feel free to share them with me. Thanks so much for this forum!
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| Martha Ann, I think that's wonderful! We started a daily email devotion a few years ago and it's been such a blessing for those who can't make it to church every Sunday. Roger or I write five devotions for the week about the topic that will be addressed on Sunday. That way folks read the scripture used and think about the topic before they ever arrive. And if they CAN'T get there? They've still connected through this medium. And even if they choose not to open it and read it, they are still seeing us pop in their inbox daily!
Pictures taken on vacation at Lake Junaluska, NC.
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