by Rev. Janet Stobie
I’ve been reading John Pentland’s “Fishing Tips,” while I’ve been confined at home within influenza. Yesterday, I wrote down his question, “Do we want people to line up to get into our church doors on Sunday morning?” I pictured the sight. Children and adults laughing, talking, waiting to shake the hand of the greeter inside. Wow! Now that would be an amazing sight at church. `Of course, I answered John’s question, “Yes! Yes! Yes!!!!!”I then had to ask, “Why would people line up at the church door? What would they expect? Delicious food? Fellowship? Fun? Good Music? Spiritual Nourishment, even Challenge? Peace and Renewal? Service? I would hope, all of these. What do our churches generally offer now to those who come? Many who have not been to church might expect only the Delicious Food. United Churches large and small have a reputation for good food. In fact, when we gather for refreshments after church service, we often say, “Well, we sure know how to provide food in the United Church.” We know good food, shared together, is not everything. Let’s look at the rest.
1. Fellowship? We have fellowship among ourselves. In our churches, I have always found friendships. I learned years ago, when I come to worship regularly and participate in at least one program, Bible study, choir, Sunday School, UCW. You name it, I will make friends. The words regularly and participate are integral to that fellowship. How do we tell others that friendship is available in our churches? We talk about being welcoming. Try extending friendship in a room filled with pews or chairs laid out in rows. Looking at people’s backs is not conducive to making friends. Additionally, we often struggle to get along with one another. Now that many of our churches live with constant survival anxiety, our relationships with one another suffer. Too often, I hear only complaints when our member stalk about the church. Who wants to line up to be part of a disagreement? We don’t need church for that.
2. Good Music is integral to a spirit touching worship experience. At this point, many of our small churches do not have an organist or pianist. Music uplifts the spirit–. Can we provide that? Why not? It will take some thinking outside the box. Any ideas?
3. Fun–It’s hard to get fun out of sitting quietly, listening to someone else talk about the Bible, especially when we don’t know or care much about what the Bible has to say. Then there are hymns. Particularly the old ones church members know well. They often don’t feel great to the visiting unchurched person. What suggestions do you have for FUN in our churches?
4. Spiritual Nurture–That must be the sermon. Well, sometimes. Sometimes, it’s more boring than nourishing. Again, it’s hard to be nurtured only through listening.For some it does not work at all. Some may have questions. Do our services have a place for questions? Not usually. Some churches do have Bible Studies, book studies, or discussion groups, but only the core few participate. How do we entice others to join such groups? How do we ensure that our church service is nurturing to the stranger who visits?
5. Peace and quiet: For sure, that’s available in our churches on Sunday morning. Some would say “Too much. “There are those who fall asleep during the service. On the other hand, how do you find peace when someone is talking all the time?
6. Service–Unquestionably, there are lots of opportunities for serving the church. Beyond those maintenance functions, does our church have a ministry? A Reason for Being? Would the community miss us if we disappeared tomorrow? We all have lots of work todo. Volunteer opportunities are everywhere. Does the church provide a place where any one can become passionately involved in serving the community and the world beyond?
No wonder people are not lining up at our door. I’d love to hear your suggestions for ways to offer what is needed on Sunday morning. Whether you have decided that church is superfluous to your life, or you are a committed member, we need to hear from both sides of this question. Please email me your suggestions atrevjanetstobie@gmail.com