Immanuel Baptist "On the Journey" Articles
ON THE JOURNEY
Why don't more people attend church?
            From time to time, someone inquires of me, "Why don't more people attend church?" Almost always the individual who phrases this question is a member of a church and attends regularly. The question is asked because he or she is disturbed by the empty pews they see on Sunday morning. If someone attends a church designed to accomodate 1,100 worshippers like Immanuel, the sanctuary does seem almost empty even when there are 400 people present. The question is sometimes more pointed among members of a congregation worshipping in a building designed for 200 worshippers when only 50 people attend worship regularly. The question has a haunting sound to it echoing a sense of failure, for many church members have been baptized into believing that the spiritual health of a church is dependent solely upon attendance.
            Some years ago, while serving another congregation, I began to prod people to invite their friends and neighbors to worship with us. One elderly gentleman stood up to confront me: "The times of our services are displayed in plain sight on the sign out front. If anyone in our town wants to worship with us, they know what time services are, and they are welcome to join us." I don't think it works that way, and I don't think any church with that kind of attitude will become growing church. It is particularly not true in our present culture. People will not come simply because we announce our service times and open our doors.
            For some time, I have pondered something I read about Garrison Keillor, a humorist famous for his radio show, Praire Home Companion. Keillor was brought up in the Plymouth Brethern Church. During his youth, he heard his share of fire and brimstone evangelists and was indoctrinated in petty legalisms. As an adult, he stopped going to church. When people would ask him, "Do you go to church?" Keillor would respond, "No." The next question would be, "Why don't you go to church?" And he told them why he had stopped. It was almost a "been there, done that" sort of thing.
            One day someone threw him a curve when they made their inquiry about his church attendance. They asked the familiar questions: "Do you go to church?" "Why don't you go to church?" Keillor gave them his rehearsed answers. But then they added, "Why don't you come with us?" Having never been invited to church before, Keillor didn't have an answer. He found himself saying, "Yes." Now, at this stage in his life, Garrison Keillor has rediscovered the meaningfulness of a faith he left behind, and he has become a member of a family of faith.
            In our culture today, church members, who are concerned about empty pews, will have to take the initiative to invite co-workers, friends, neighbors, and even causal acquaintainces to attend church with them. Across the years, I have learned that there are legions of Garrison Keillors who have left the church, and the only hope of their returning is a personal invitation from a trusted friend.
            There is something else we must reconsider: "Why do we invite people to church?" If our concern is primarily to support an institution, to keep programs going, to pay the bills, or to feel good about ourselves, people may accept our invitation to come a time or two, but they will not stay with us for a long period of time. We are inviting people to share our relationship with Jesus Christ. As a community of faith, we invite them to share in the Way that leads to abundant life. We invite them to share in a kingdom marked by love, compassion, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. They are invited to experience the joy of being a beloved son or daughter of God himself.
            Immanuel Baptist Church will become a life sustaining place as we invite people to experience the joy of our faith, to share the adventure of the journey with us, and to join hands with us in serving others. Let's stop asking people if they go to church. Let's invite them to come with us!
            This Sunday offers us a wonderful opportunity to invite someone to share our life at Immanuel. There are Bible study options for every age group. During morning worship, we will gather around our Lord’s table offering our thanks for the sacrifice Christ Jesus willingly made for us. After worship, we will gather at Keiler Park for our annual October church picnic. During the picnic, there will a special acitivity for children. Invite someone to come with you on Sunday to join us in the worship of God and to experience the fellowship we enjoy together.  jamie           

 
Website last updated:  Thursday, September 27, 2006                     Website Related Questions/Comments:  Chris Cash-ccash@vci.net

Immanuel Baptist Church  -  3465 Buckner Lane  -  Paducah, KY, 42001  -  270.443.5306  -  www.immanuel-paducah.org