Where are you!

Where are you!
 
Most churches go through a “slow” period during the summer months.  Children are out-of-school for summer break and it’s a great time for summer vacations.  An opportunity to visit aunts and uncles and other family members as well as good friends who we don’t have the opportunity to see throughout the year.  It’s also a good time to travel and see special sights, events and activities.
 
It won’t be that long before summer breaks and vacations are once again behind us.  Children back in school and adults back at work and we settle into a normal routine again.  The problem is – why don’t people return to church? 
 
Part of the answer might be that some people have been out of church for so long that going to church isn’t any longer a part of their lives.  Those are either back-sliders or they never were truly Christians.  There are also some who attend church simply to attend church – because it’s the “thing” to do, or they attend just to be seen – none of whom are “spiritually” fed because the doors to their hearts and minds are closed – those are bench warmers”!  There are those who come to church only for “special” days – those are the Easter/Christmas attendees!  And there are yet those who come for only Sunday school; those who come only for worship service; and those who make it as far as the parking lot in order to drop off a family member. 
 
Perhaps the most disappointing group is the Sunday morning only attendee.  Disappointing because most in this group have more than likely accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior, but don’t attend Sunday and Wednesday evenings service, nor business meetings, for a variety of reasons with some simply rationalizing why they don’t need to attend the “other” services.
 
It is estimated that 75-80% of church attendees are somewhere in the above described groups.  Are you included in one of those groups? 
 
Then there’s the other 20-25% of church attendees.  These attendees are often referred to as the “core group” of the church.  You will find them at Sunday morning Sunday school “and” worship services, “and” Sunday evening services, “and” Wednesday evening services, “and” at business meetings, “and” serving in some capacity (committees, work groups, teachers, deacons, etc.).  The only problem with this group is that because nobody else signs up or volunteers to serve, many in this group are burning the candle at both ends to meet the needs of our church and face burn-out!
 
How many times do we hear that a person didn’t come to church because they didn’t feel up to it.  Yet, how many times did we tell our children that if you aren’t sick enough to see a doctor than you aren’t sick enough to stay home from school?  How many don’t attend church because there’s a good game on television, or the fish are biting, or it’s a beautiful day for golf or for a cook-out – just fill in the blanks.  Have you ever wondered what Christ thought on that fateful day of beating, torture, and crucifixion?  Jesus died for us!  Do you fully grasp that?  He died for us!!! 
 
How can any Christian – a person who has accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior – not attend Sunday morning and evening services, and Wednesday evening services to worship and glorify Christ, to give thanks to Christ for dying for us, to give thanks to Christ for His many blessings, and to hear-learn-study-apply His word?  So, the question is -
 
WHERE ARE YOU NOW - AND WHAT DIRECTION WILL YOU TAKE WHEN SUMMER IS OVER???
 
…..”Christian Voices” (christianvoices@att.net)