Finding the Way Home
The eNewsletter Archive

Below is the archived version of Marshall Hayden's eNewesletter "Finding the way Home." If you would like to be added to to mailing list, please send a blank email to evangelism-subscribe@worthingtoncc.org.

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June 2008

It’s a mistake to move it to the back burner

When I was younger there was a church paper article that I wrote every year about this time. Some of the pleas were the same each summer. "Don't take a vacation from church!" "Please remember that the financial needs of the church go on, even when we may not be in town." And things like that!

After a few years I realized that the church family did pretty well with those concerns that scared me a bit. And the message took on some new features. "When you travel, please find a church or a campground worship service to attend on Sunday. And bring home a bulletin that you might pick up. We will enjoy seeing what it is like in another place." "And when you are in town bring to church any friends who might be visiting with you."

All of those things are still important. "Come to worship and Bible study in the summer too." "Thanks for being aware of the church's twelve-month financial commitments." "Bring a friend." "Find a worship service." We've found that the last one of those reminders is particularly enjoyable. Making new friends in a setting of worship and fellowship is a delight. Sometimes the service is so thrilling that we come home with a new excitement. Sometimes it is so uneventful that we come home with a new appreciation for what we do together each week here. Sometimes there is one new idea that sparks a season of refreshing. One time our family of four sent a lady hurrying to the church kitchen to prepare more communion elements. That day we made eleven in church, I think. Big church, little church, old church, new church, lively church, serious church, friendly church, not-so-friendly church – it's good to be there. God is honored. The way of faith in Christ is refreshed; and so are we.

The title at the top of this little word is the reminder that I would like to offer this year, a message that has evolved after forty-six summers enjoying the privilege of Christian ministry. "Please remember that it would be a mistake to put faith and Christian fellowship on the back burner for the season." That would make it appear to family, friends, and to God that personal and congregational worship, the study of God's word, the "remembrance" around the Lord's table, and our personal witness to life in Christ, are secondary matters that we can "take or leave," depending on the availability of funds and a suitable vacation destination. Like one little girl said, when her father was urging her to skip Sunday School and go fishing. "We can worship God at the lake too." Her insightful replay was, "but we won't, will we?"

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And he deserves to know that we know that, yesterday, today, and forever.