Easter will soon be over. For some it is a relief. A great many in our population attend church twice a year (Christmas being the other time) and are often the butt of unkind jokes within pastoral circles.
Exhibit A: “I sometimes make a joke as they arrive for the Easter service,” says Bishop Audrey Bronson, pastor of the Sanctuary Church of the Open Door at 59th and Walnut Streets. “I say, ‘Merry Christmas!’”
“They do a kind of double take, and I say, ‘Well, I know I won’t see you again till Christmas; I just wanted to be the first to wish you happy holidays.’”
“They get the message.”
These jabs at the C&E crowd are more about pastoral frustration than a mean-spirited condemnation. Speaking personally, I want people to attend regularly for their spiritual growth and the twice-a-year attendees just remind me that much work is to be done in the local church.
Now, to be sure, some of the onus of the responsibility is on the individual’s choice to stay away. I am convinced that the very best dog-and-pony-show would still not be able to keep casual guests at religious services. However, that doesn’t give churches a pass when considering and analyzing why church is not an attractive proposition.
So, for my faithful who lament the empty pews after Easter and Christmas, may I suggest some food for thought?
First, churches usually roll out the red carpet for these two holidays. We make extra efforts in music, message, refreshments, special parking, and much more. After the event, we often return to comfortable routines for religious expression that are not as seeker friendly. Why? Shouldn’t every week be important to and for our guests as well as the convinced? There is a bait-and-switch mentality that we are often not aware of when it comes to church services—special this week, but not so much next week.
Second, even if everything we do is excellent, it may not be relevant. I have said in the past that we need to be careful that we are not trying to sell 8-track tapes to the iPhone world. Few of the generations born between 1981 and 2009 will connect with outdated modes of worship and presentation. Churches that refuse to be sensitive to technology and sociological changes will lose their mojo.
This is not to say that we must be completely driven by these target audiences or compromise doctrine (we shouldn’t), but we certainly must stop believing that our preferences, especially in liturgy, are the only way to introduce younger people to reverent and celebratory worship.
Third, nothing speaks louder than actions. Churches often talk a good game about loving people, caring for people, and wanting to help people, but would those who are not a part of our community agree with our assessment of ourselves? Not likely.
In fact, in a book entitled, “Un-Christian,” authors Gabe and Lyons rightly begin their exploration of perceptions of the Christian community with the statement, “Christianity has an image problem.” We still do and we will never change this unless we are honest and open to setting our own desires in favor of the spiritual needs of others.
One final thought; while it is important to be inclusive, relevant, and fresh, in our expression of faith, we cannot take a person somewhere we have not gone ourselves. How can we expect people to join us if we do not live up to the values and principles we purport to cherish. Our faith experience and expression are an inside out proposition.
In fact, after the resurrection of Christ, we are told that we are to be witnesses and ambassadors to the ends of the earth with the knowledge we possess in and through the Holy Spirit. But we cannot teach that which we do not live out.
If we truly want people to know of the faith we hold after this Easter season passes, it cannot be limited to Sundays. We must always possess the aroma of Christ. Kent Simmons is the pastor of Canyon Community Church in Kingman.
