I just finished reading an article that outlined “The Most Disturbing Trend Happening in Your Church in 2015.” In it, the author states, “Your most committed people will attend worship services less frequently than ever in 2015.” At one time, a faithful attender was someone who attended church 3 times a week now he is considered faithful if he attends 3 times a month.
Things are definitely different than they were when I was growing up. For our family, church was not an option and nothing competed with it in our home (even if we were on vacation we went to church). As I look back I must say that I am thankful for parents who made it very clear to my brother, my sister, and me that church attendance was a priority because God was the priority. We went to church because HE said so. We didn’t argue much and we just understood that’s the way it was. We also enjoyed the friendships we had at church, so that helped.
So what’s the reason for such a drastic decline in church attendance today? The article I cited earlier gives three reasons:
- Increasing involvement with kids’ activities including more “multiple activity” commitments (sports, music, etc.) for longer duration with greater competitiveness.
- More travel for work: more business “road-warrioring” means less time for church.
- Online church: people stay home and watch church on their tablets, Apple TVs, and phones.
These may be the primary reasons that church attendance is declining. However, I believe there is a deeper spiritual reason to it. It would appear that many Christians just aren’t convinced that it is as important as other things and they are not that familiar with the high level of emphasis that God places on the assembly of believers.
I am a strong believer that faithful church attendance over the course of several years makes a lasting impact in the home. Why do I believe this? Because it is evident throughout the New Testament that God prioritized it for the growing Christian community. Passages like Colossians 3:14-17 and Hebrews 10:23-25 confirms that through faithful church attendance spiritual growth takes place, godly relationships are established, and discipleship takes place.
So, I know that schedules are busy and I know that there is a plethora of activities that are pulling at our families’ time. I also understand work schedules and work shifts that are not conducive to a weekend service, and I realize that it is easier to sit and watch church online than it is to get up and get ready to go to church. (There are Sundays that I actually wish I could preach from my recliner in my living room while wearing my LSU pajamas). But there is no way to get around the fact that church attendance is important and growing Christians need what the church has to offer.
At Charity, I hope that we will not fall in line with the trend of declining church attendance but instead we will do just the opposite and make it a higher priority than ever before.
See you Sunday,
Pastor Marty
