While doing some spring cleaning, I discovered in the bottom of a drawer, a church pictorial directory which was about 6-year old. Glancing through it, I noticed that many once active families had dropped out and no longer attended. I began to wonder what would cause such a spiritual decline.
The term “backsliding” came to mind; meaning a return to an old bad habit regular church members who once joyously sang “Onward Christian Soldiers,” now won’t even march to Sunday school or church once a week.
How can a person claim to be faithful to God but not be faithful in church attendance?
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In Colossians 1:18, we read that since Jesus is the head of the church and face himself for the church, then certainly we, as Christians, ought to give ourselves to the church.
The average person who does not attend church does not care to take the time away from other pursuits. The cost of a disciplined and regular church attendance weighs heavily against worldly pleasures. Making excuses becomes much easier than making an effort. Perhaps they are feeling Sunday morning fatigue from a tough work week and decided to sleep in, or realized a great opportunity to book a tee time at the local golf course. Maybe they are camping out at the lake because someone may have informed them that the fish were really biting this weekend.
‘Someday’ and good intentions
We are reminded of the parable Jesus told of the man who gave a great feast and sent out many invitations. Everyone was too busy to take time out for a feast and began to make excuses one after another. It seems that business and pleasure came before having to go out of their way to accommodate the man’s request.
Upon fulfilling their pleasures, they will then turn to procrastination. They say they may get back to an active church attendance someday. “Someday;” is exactly what Satan wants to hear. People who have good intentions but always procrastinate are his desired subjects.
Some church members lose heart toward the church. They become disenchanted and disagree with the vision of the membership and begin to think they are intruding and not wanted. The disagreement continues to gnaw away like cancer until finally they stop attending church altogether and walk away.
The sixth chapter of John reveals that Jesus was preaching to the crowds when they began to murmur among themselves. They began to turn and walk away. Jesus turned to his disciples and asked: “Will you also leave me?” Peter answered, “Lord to whom would we go?” The question Peter answered 2,000 years ago is still relevant today to the prodigals — to whom will they go?
Open arms
The parable of the prodigal son tells us about the son who left his father for what he thought were good times and a happier lifestyle. When he was awakened to the truth, he returned and was welcomed home with open arms by his father. So it is with the Christian church and its fellowship. If anyone is acquainted with a once active member who fits the mold of a backsliding prodigal who seems to be wandering aimlessly, please invite them back and welcome them home.
And don’t wait too late!
We can see in our newspapers and TV that Satan is very active in our world today. What a great time to minister to these prodigal Christians.
The epistle of James instructs us: Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his ways will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. (James 5:19–20 NKJV)
EDITOR’S NOTE — This article was written by Charles Hendrix, a member of Fannin Baptist Church in Brandon, Mississippi.
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