Blog #63 out of 100 in 2021

One of the biggest areas I've watched be affected by COVID this past year was church. I'll be the first to say that I stayed away from my church much longer than I should have due to the excuse of the pandemic. Ya know what, though? It was letting the enemy do work in my life. I decided a little over a month ago that I had made excuses for long enough and it was time to be back.

Now that I'm back each week and have gotten a good look at how this pandemic has affected the body, I am so sad. Attendance is so much lower than I've ever seen it, but what hurts even more is knowing that people have actually left the church for good.

I have one simple question..... why?

"The pastor didn't reach out to me or check on me." Well he is only one man. He can't possibly reach out to every person in the church. That's the job of the body. We must reach out to one another. Did you let it be made know that you needed someone?

"I feel left out at church." Well what have you done to try and be connected? Have you asked anyone how you can be more involved?

One of the biggest reasons I've seen people leave is, "My toes got stepped on," or "I have a problem with how a certain thing is being done." Did you go to the pastor and talk to him about what upset you or what you don't agree with? Did you go to whatever other person has offended you and given them a chance to right the situation or explain things?

"There aren't enough children or youth activities." Well, when you take your kids away, how can the ministries have an opportunity to grow? Did you offer to serve in any areas so that others could serve in the areas of your children?

"Part of my family left. So, I feel like I have to leave to." Unless it is you spouse or your parents and you are still a dependent, you are free to worship wherever you please.

Yes I understand that many people have legit reasons for leaving church. Maybe they physically moved. Maybe God has called them to somewhere else to serve or minister. Even in those situations, though, did you go to the church leaders and let them know your heart and that you are leaving?

Now I am not perfect by any means. I stayed away from church through almost the entire pandemic. I also have had season in life where I allowed myself to get offended by things in the church and would talk to my family and threaten to leave. Each time, though, God would grab my heart and say, "Is this truly about the church or is this about you? Have you talked to anyone about this?" Every time I would reflect and realize it was just me being sensitive and selfish and not looking at the big picture.

I'm watching so many ministries in my church feel the struggle of these absences. I'm watching youth and children's ministry dwindle. I remember being a youth in this same church and I was actually the only one! We didn't have a youth ministry and I truly hurt from that. I don't want that for our youth or children now.

Your involvement in church is not always about you. It's primarily about God and glorifying Him. We spend too much time worrying about what we get out of it and not enough time just focusing on His message and His glory.

So I ask you again (those that go to my same church but also those of the church body in general):

Why did you leave or why haven't you come back? Have you talked to someone about your concerns and shared your heart. If the answer is no, please reach out now. The church needs you. The church misses you. The church loves you.

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