September 20, 2022
11 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
13 Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
It seems to me that every church has a particular Sunday in their calendar. It’s the “Bring a friend to church” Sunday. Mostly – these are miserable failures; rarely is a friend brought. It’s not that we don’t have friends, but the friends we have tend be churched and not searching for a new church home.
This observation makes me think that we have taken verse 14 seriously – don’t be unequally yoked with the world. Despite what we were told several years ago – that America is not a Christian country – we are, indeed, a Christian country and other religions don’t have the numbers that Christianity does (at least not here in America).
According to various research reports, the number of people who would describe themselves as Christian is dropping and the number of people who describe themselves as church-going Christian is ever falling. We need renewal. We need evangelisation. Where is our joy? “I was glad when they said unto, we will go in to the house of the Lord” (Psalm 122:1). Where is our enthusiasm? “Lift up your head, o ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in.” (Psalm 24:7).
What needs to happen is that instead of trying to bring a friend to church, we need to help our family and friends and neighbors who are Christian back into the church, back into the practice of praises and thanksgivings, back to being fed spiritually through Holy Communion. That can be our modern day ‘tent revival’.
Words on the Word 
In my own family, I see the younger generations as ones who were influenced by schools and friends and have somehow lost their teachings of Christianity. Some even say they are atheist. The pandemic had a huge effect on those who stopped going to church. Others used it as an excuse to stop. We now have a team who visits with those who have not returned since the pandemic, also with those who are ill or otherwise not able to attend. Some success has been noticed, but not enough.
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Every journey begins with a step – long journeys take many steps. We don’t have to count the steps. We just have to take them. You know what you have; you know what they’ve lost. Keep reminding them.
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We have also been told we should pray that other Christians are led by the Holy Spirit to talk with those who are lost, as most refuse to listen to parents or other family members. Maybe we can be that voice to others’ children and grandchildren.
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With God all things are possible.
I’m trying to figure out another way to spread the Gospel – I love this blog but it’s too slow and not enough people know about it. I’m thinking. If you have any ideas, I’m open.
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Our church prints out a few inserts for children who come to services. When there are leftovers, I take them and give them to children when I am shopping. (I do ask for permission from the parent) These printouts are word puzzles, things to color and stories, etc. There is not a name for our church or religion as we are expressing love to children and the joy that Christ can bring. No cost to me but smiles from children and parents.
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What a wonderful outreach! Brilliant!
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