The following is a slightly edited version of my exhortation to First Baptist Bonham to remain faithful in participating and investing in the life of the church during the summer months.
“When school is on summer vacation, it seems that people tend to treat church as if it is on vacation too. ”
SCHOOL IS OUT FOR THE SUMMER!! If your children or grandchildren aren’t out now, they soon will be. I remember how it was when I was a kid and summertime came. It meant that I was able to play outside all day, stay up a little later than normal, and sleep in. We would have so much fun swimming, riding bikes, or inventing games to play. Summer is such a wonderful time as a child and it always seemed to last so long.
As adults, we don’t have quite the same experience during the summer, but our lives definitely experience a shift in pace. We go on vacations or take some time off to enjoy with our family and friends. If you’re retired, you may be travelling to see the grandkids, or they may be coming to visit you. Whatever your situation in life, summer is always a time of change and transition. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to refresh and refocus on our priorities. However, the temptation with summer is often to allow that transition time to become a time for laziness or lack of commitment. The great complaint of pastors during the summer is that people treat church like they treat school. When school is on summer vacation, it seems that people tend to treat church as if it is on vacation too. Of course, we all understand that people go on trips and spend time doing some special activities, but a definite laxity is present in churches. Many times, people simply don’t feel like coming, or they find other things that they would rather do. To combat this temptation to let your participation and investment at church fade during the summer, let me provide you with a few reasons that you should continue to attend your church and invest with your brothers and sisters in Christ as they worship and do some exciting activities. Remember, the church is integral to God’s work in the world today, so we need to be intentional and committed to invest our lives into the church’s work.
- Your attendance will allow you to participate in all of the activities and ministry opportunities that your church has going on this summer. Most churches have youth camps and children’s activities like VBS going on this summer. Perhaps there is a special Bible study going on. Of course, there are regularly scheduled services to worship and serve together. All of these elements of church life need your prayer and your participation. By making a commitment to meet with the church and to bring your family, you will be able to join in making these events and services fun, exciting, and spiritually beneficial.
- Your attendance allows the church to function as it is designed to function. In Ephesians 4:15-16, Paul writes that we are to grow in maturity in Christ who is the Head of the church through our participation and service with one another. Each of us is an integral part that, when we are present and serving, helps the church to grow. A similar idea comes out in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 where we are all members of the body of Christ, so that when one hurts or is otherwise absent, the whole body feels the effects. It is only by your presence and participation that the church will be able to function properly and continue to grow.
- Your attendance allows you to follow the biblical expectation for meeting with God’s family. Hebrews 10:23-25 says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Notice the italicized phrase. The expectation for us is to meet together as the church. Failing to do so hurts the church, but it also hurts us because we are not in the presence of other believers who can help stir us up to good deeds.
I hope you will soberly consider these things and make a commitment to being with your spiritual family throughout the summer so that it can be a wonderful place of passionate worship, dedicated service, and spiritual growth.
