Spur One Another On
The article title in the newspaper said “25 % of Swiss People Are Unbelievers.” Of course, the world in general, and the media in particular, love to report anything negative about the church. Good news doesn’t sell newspapers.
So … what can you and I do to bring back the Distanced, reclaim the Secular and reach out to the Alternatives? Our response to the Savior who gave His life for our forgiveness and salvation says we have to try. We have to try and let the Holy Spirit do the work through the Word. Jesus reached out to us so now we reach out to others.
However, looking at this article through the optimistic, evangelistic eyeglasses of God’s Kingdom workers, a better point of view would be “75% of Swiss People are Believers.”
The article did have some interesting information, though. It said the interviewers found that the religious views of the Swiss are divided into four different groups. Those groups are:
1. The Distanced. The distanced are the folks who might attend church on occasion but for whom religion isn't all that important. They have beliefs, but the institutional church doesn't always shape those beliefs.
2. The Institutional. Although it isn't a very complimentary title, the Institutional folks are the ones for whom church is important and who are faithful attendees.
3. The Secular. The secular are those who are indifferent or hostile to the church. As one misinformed man said, "Religion is synonymous with violence, war, and conflict."
4. The Alternative. The alternative group is those who are interested in meditation, reincarnation, and herbal medicines.
Reading through that list, I thought a great many people I know would fit into one of those four categories. That’s why the Bible encourages us: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
As we discuss the joys and difficulties, the privileges and responsibilities, the increases and decreases in ministry at Epiphany, we will undoubtedly talk about money. It has been said by the pastor and leaders of this congregation for a long time – we do not have a money problem at Epiphany; we have a spiritual problem.
Yes, Racine Wisconsin
If we could get all of our people to worship faithfully every week, then their wallets, purses and checkbooks will be with them. The money problem won’t be such a problem because our people are in God’s House worshiping God, praising the Son and being lifted up by the Spirit. They are being fed with the Bread of Life, drinking deeply from the Water of Life, partaking of Christ’s body and blood, living the new life given them in Baptism, hearing the Word and then going out to live that Word.
The money issue will eventually take care of itself. Our first priority is encouraging those who have given up the habit of worshiping with us.
It isn’t the job of only the elders or the council or the pastor to reach out to people with the Gospel. Once Jesus called us into His Kingdom, He called each of us to do His Kingdom work. When we pray to grow our church, school and, most importantly, grow God’s Kingdom, we are really praying that God would allow us to become the answer to our own prayers.
So, reach out to one person whom you know is hurting. Talk to a single mother who is searching for a Christ-centered school. Challenge the father who stays at home instead of leading His family in daily and weekly worship. Email, text or Facebook a family whom you haven’t seen in church in a while. Call the straying sheep. Love the missing lambs. Scatter the Gospel seeds.
And that, as St. Paul
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