40 ONE February-March 2012
Why do people keep coming to a church?
Especially By Richard At wood
Recently, a man in a church told me his story. He had prayed to come back to God after straying from his childhood decision. Sitting at a stoplight, he asked God to help him find a church to attend. He looked to his left and saw a church with several cars in the parking lot. He went in, but nobody was in the auditorium. As he turned to leave, the pastor walked up to him and explained that they were having a special Thanksgiving dinner in the fellowship hall. “Oh, well, I’ll come back another time,” he said. “I don’t want to bother you.” The pastor grabbed his elbow and said, “Get in here! We have plenty to eat, and we want you to eat with us!” Tears came to his eyes as he explained, “That’s why I’m in this church. These people accepted me, befriended me, and cared for me. They made me part of their family.” Galatians 6:10 says: “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” We should do good to everyone but especially to those who are Christians. Doing good and loving others says our faith is genuine, that we really are disciples of Jesus. Jesus even said that people would recognize His disciples by the way they love one another (John 13:34, 35). When we become Christians, we become part of God’s family. A family is there for each other and loves one another through the good and bad. Non-Christians need this and want to be part of something where people love and accept one another. Who could resist a place where you see such love demonstrated? Consider two thoughts:
People want to go to a church where they have friends who care for them. I think most people are asking themselves the question, “Does the pastor love me? Do other people in the church care for me?” Maybe that is one of the problems in churches that aren’t growing or are declining. People may not feel cared for. People want to go to a church where they have friends who care for them. We like someone to look at pictures of our grandchildren. We want someone to listen to stories about our vacation without yawning. We need a place