Here’s the church and here’s the steeple, open the door and see all the people.

#minmchurch

Churches were overflowing with attenders this Christmas Eve. Service schedules were tweaked and chairs were added for the excess people, but I wonder how many folks will be back next Sunday? Church attendance is a hot topic in pastoral circles. In response, many churches offer cooler bands, hipper worship, edgier programming and uber impressive technology. While these aren’t innately bad ideas and may be effective, are they really what will draw someone back to God in a lasting and meaningful way? So what will bring you back to church next week? I bet it’s not frothy coffee, trendy speakers or contemporary music. I’m leaning towards authenticity. The sacraments. Things like baptism, confession and meaningful communion. Relevant preaching from the Word, anointing the sick and community prayer…you know, those strange rituals and traditions that Christians have been practicing for the past 2,000+ years. 

So get a cup of coffee with your friends at Starbucks. But in church get some ashes smudged on your forehead as a reminder of your mortality.

Go ahead and be dazzled by a high tech light show at a concert, but in church let’s fill the sanctuary with candlelight and hymns.

At the Mall, snag all sorts of free swag and giveaways for your commitment to brand loyalty, but at church be identified as a child of God with a cold plunge into the baptismal water.

Please, please work at food shelter this holiday season, but remember church is the only place where a shared meal, communion, brings us into the very presence of God.

Start off the New Year by finding a loving, authentic and inclusive community that will bring you back to church week after week…Pkes