Warning: this might make you mad or defensive. It also might make you think. You’ve been warned.
When I am away on vacation or at a meeting, I work really hard to find a church to attend that is welcoming and open. As I said yesterday in my sermon, I don’t think that going to church is anyone’s ticket to heaven. In fact, my experience is that people who think that way often live lives unworthy of the Gospel. They are one person on Sunday and a totally different person the rest of the week. I need church to help me be better, but I recognize that some people are not that way. I need the community of faith to make me a better person; maybe you need that too. And I will admit that when I walk into a church with a handful of people, I wonder why. These congregations are often Spirit-filled and wonderful, but there is also something to strength in numbers. If a church has 200 members, but only 25 attend, what does that say about them?
Over the last year, I have had a lot of conversations with clergy who are experiencing what I have been feeling; we are missing church members who have not returned to the pews. Many are worshiping at home or later in the week, and we appreciate that a lot. They might be traveling or living elsewhere, and the ability to stay connected online has been a blessing for all of us. Some of our members are physically challenged by the persistent presence of COVID or are unable to leave their homes easily. Every single one of us clergy people understands, and we are always glad to know that these folks are willing to take the time to be present in some way.
But what about those of you who can attend but aren’t? Our church is trying really hard to be in ministry to our community, and the fewer people we have to do that outreach, the less we can do. I know that some of you are attending concerts and going on vacations; your dance card is pretty full. If you can do those activities, why not church? I, and every single clergyperson I have spoken to, are frustrated by this conundrum, and I am writing this for one reason only: I miss you. We all miss you. We miss your wisdom and intelligence and ideas. We miss your love of God and humanity that is shared with us in doing mission together. We miss your laughter and your faithfulness.
Every time I speak to this issue, people get offended. So, to be clear: if you are not able to leave home, let me know – I will come to you. If you have to work on Sunday morning and need to worship later in the week; we completely understand. If you aren’t interested in Calvary anymore, let us know; we will be sad, but we will file the transfer. But if you are none of those things, I humbly ask that you discern what is keeping you away. What has changed? Regardless of what you do with this, just know one thing; we miss you, and we hope you are doing well. We will pray for you, and we hope you will pray for us. All of us have gone through this at some point in our lives, and like us, you can always come home. No matter where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.
Prayer – Holy God, each one of us has our own journey of faith, and we are grateful to Your presence in our lives. We also have a journey as a community, for we are the body of Christ. Keep us focused on You and each other. Amen.
Today’s art is called “Renewal” by Marti Fenton (White Deer Song).