God’s Plan A

There is an interesting trend among many church-attenders, especially since COVID but really beginning before the pandemic.  According to Dr. Thom Rainer of Church Answers, it is “The Quarter-Time Church Member”.  As Dr. Rainer suggests, “Over one-half of church members attend one out of four weeks or less.”  He goes on to say, “I am convinced that the decreasing commitment of church members to their local churches is one of the greatest problems in our culture today.”

One of the statements in our church’s membership covenant is: “I promise to be faithful to my sisters and brothers in Christ, to not forsake the assembling together, nor neglect praying for ourselves and others.”

Dr. Rainer shares five key developments:

1. We fail to see that the local church is God’s Plan A to do his mission on earth, and that he has no Plan B. As we discovered in our recent study of the seven churches addressed by Jesus in Revelation 2-3 it is all about the local church.  “It is clear that God means for local congregations to be the focus of his ministry.  When we minimize the local church, we minimize the work of God.”
2. We embrace the false notion that commitment to a local church is legalistic. Rainer states, “I would rather see my children and grandchildren see me at the church when the doors are open rather than treat my local congregation like a part-time civic club.”
3. We have let culture dictate our schedules. “If Christians would stop letting their kids play Sunday-morning sports, the leagues would soon get the message.  Instead, on this matter and others, we let culture tell us what’s really important.  In doing so, we are communicating to our children what is and what is not important.”
4. We have accepted strawman arguments about gathering at our local church. “Have you ever heard either of these two comments? ‘The Church is not the building; it’s the people.’  Or, ‘The Church is about sending not attending.’  Both of those comments are often used to suggest that the gathering of church members each week is not important.  Tell that to the writer of Hebrews who said, ‘And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near’ (Hebrews 10:25).
5. We see church as a place to be served rather than to serve. “Have you ever heard church members argue about their preferences?  You probably think that’s a rhetorical question.  Sure, you’ve heard it.  Preferences about the style of music in worship.  About the order of worship.  About the color of the carpet.  About the time of the service.  The list could continue.  If church membership is about getting perks like a country club membership, commitment to the congregation will inevitably wane.”  

As Dr. Rainer goes on to suggest, these five key developments could be the reason many churches are experiencing more “quarter-time” church members.  Perhaps many people in the church are not committed.

Many people in our own Waynesboro community may say they are a member of a specific church, but the number of people who are fully committed to Jesus and the local church is dwindling, even in our own area!!  Now, I know people get sick, people travel, and people attend their grandchildren’s soccer games; however, it is my prayer that we as a part of the Church of Jesus Christ here in Waynesboro will be FULLY committed to making a difference for Jesus and His Kingdom . . . through our local body of believers.

May we be a church that worships together each week, praying for one another, and working together with the guidance of the Holy Spirit in order to make an impact for Jesus and His Kingdom!  Let’s not forget God’s Plan A!