Happy Sunday!
Am I really happy? You can tell can’t you? You can feel it in my tone, right? Yeah, I know, I’m not a very good faker. The sadness of canceling church today literally has me in tears. I know right?
Am I starting to go through menopause already? Wait, that’s a female thing, isn’t it? Oh great, I’m a MAN… and we’re not privileged with the biological excuse for a middle age breakdown! Don’t get mad at me ladies, I’m just trying to make a little funny here… thats all. Oh, and I’m not even at the middle of my long life yet!
So what is wrong with me? I mean, teary eyed about not being able to have church? Come on Chuck, get it together… there’s always next week.
Baaaa, go away cheerful inner conscious… I want to be sad for a few more hours, or a few more days, or forever. (pitiful half smile with a puckering lower lip)
Why are we shoveled out?
I guess the hardest thing for me is that I drive in all weather conditions… and, while I was out driving all over this county-all day yesterday… I counted TEN out of TEN driveways shoveled out. Oh yes, I’m sure there were a few that I missed… but even my 90 year old neighbor, he shoveled his own driveway before I even got to him yesterday!
So what are we all shoveled out for? Oh, wait! Tomorrow is MONDAY, and we cannot miss work under ANY circumstances. Oh, and we have to get to the movie store, and the grocery store, and anywhere else we desire to go today… AND HEY, its Super Bowl Sunday, so we must be able to drive to our friends house for the big PAR-TAYE! All of these are meaningful reasons for shoveling out.
I’m not a “life” basher
Don’t worry… I’m not one of those “life” bashing kind of guys. In fact, I love entertainment, and FOOD, and parties, and work… more than most people!
Venture out everyone! No guilt from me here… nuht uhhhh! Have a fun and exciting day… enjoy your families… do a bunch of fun “snow-day” activities! Live it up “Balsamo” style! I’m all about it… wooo. (clapping and cheering)
Where’s the enthusiasm?
But woe to the Pastor that schedules a snow day church service, right?
I mean, everyone says, “Do what you feel is best, Pastor.” But really, where is the ENTHUSIASM? Honestly, I would have WALKED 2 miles in my snow boots, through 3 foot snow drifts to go to church today. Especially, because we were snowed out last week too.
Sometimes, written words fail to properly express a writers tone. So, I’m going to say straight up that I’m not mad at anyone, just sad.
Here’s the common phrase people use to manipulate Pastors on snow days: “You can go ahead with the service IF you really feel like thats the best thing for the congregation, BUT I would hate for someone to have an accident on their way to CHURCH… or I would hate for some old lady to fall down and break a bone.” I’ve used this very same phrase a hundred times or more throughout my years in church leadership!
My message today is NOT to the people who offer me input concerning snow day services. Because, if it was, I would be condemning myself. Please don’t take offense… this message is not directed at ANY person at Destiny Family Center. My message is intended for Christians worldwide.
Why?
Why are we willing to risk our lives… and risk the potential of a broken bone… and weather extreme conditions to shovel our driveways for work and fun… but irritated when a Pastor wants to gather his flock for worship? Why is it that we will NOT miss work under any circumstances, we’ll even go in with a 101 degree flu… and we’re so fast to miss church whenever we’re just too tired from staying up too late the night before? Why is it that we will NEVER miss a doctors appointment, but will very quickly cancel our weekly appointment with the Great Physician?
Is it enough?
I mean, really… the average American Christian gathers for 2 hours on 2 or 3 Sundays out of the month. Is this enough, for us to ENCOURAGE one another and GROW into the EAGLES of God’s next great spiritual awakening?
Hebrews 10:25 “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.”
Dear God, please bring this 21st Century church to appetite… make this American Christian population hungry for you… so hungry, we will risk our lives to gather for worship. Help us to see how embarrassing this conversation must sound to our fellow believers throughout the world in countries like Mongolia, where many of them REALLY DO risk their lives to gather for worship. Awaken this passion… give us a desire for meeting together just like the Christians in the first century church.
I’m surrounded with some of the most committed Christians on the planet. The sacrifices my friends make for God’s kingdom… I’m INSPIRED everyday by these people! I think I may be considered a highly sacrificial believer myself. At least it seems this way in comparison to many of my mainstream contemporaries. I realize I’m preaching to the choir here.
However… If we are going to change the spiritual climate of our country, then we have to start to asking ourselves: “Am I really a hall of faith kind of Christian, or am I just a big fish in a teeny tiny bowl?”
Don’t shoot the messenger!
Don’t get mad at me dear reader… if I’m going to CHANGE THE WORLD, and not just write another boring blog, then I’m going to have to EXPRESS my heart, even when this means that my thoughts will irritate a reader or two. Trust me, this message brings plenty of conviction to my own heart… and thats why I love it so much!
Just pray about the things I’ve written and work it out in your own heart… then GET UP without an ounce of guilt… and have the GREATEST SNOW DAY OF YOUR LIFE! Enjoy your family, enjoy the super bowl (root for the Indianapolis Colts), pray for me… and I will pray for you! Love you all!
Ps: if you’re looking for something to do… check out a few of my SNOW DAY resources:
- The 3 Symbols of a Snowy Day
- 14 reasons I wanted to Have Church Today!
- 10 Innovative Things 2 Do On A Snow Day!
Dream Big, Live Bold, and Make the Difference!
Chuck
The Donate Link, Facebook, Twitter, Make me a Legend, Destiny Family Center, You Tube
I share your sadness. It's hard to plan for this kind of thing. Thanks for talking about something that I'm sure many church leaders feel, in frustration that a church can't get together for too long. Perfectly natural response I think.
Chuck,
blessings to you in challenging us. I may not be taken seriously in commenting here because in fact, I live in Southern California where it will be in the upper 60's today. Yet, my heart understands. I believe it all comes down to investment. What have the people of God invested in?
We have an opposite issue here. Our days (weather) can be so beautiful that attendance will be down because people are at the beach or at the park. What about the 'meeting together' as Hebrews says? God has called us to not neglect meeting together, yet that's exactly what we do too frequently. And not for very good reasons – like going to the beach.
Serving Him,
Steven
Steven Brooks… how did you stumble into this tribe my new friend? I love your comments… feeling a real passion in your heart for God over there in California! Thanks for the great comments… God bless you buddy!
Pastor Chuck,
You are right. We will risk everything to get to work on time, even in the yuckiest of weather. But we will not do the same for Sunday mornings.
And yet, even though I agree, I have to confess I'm one of those that readily stays home and will not "risk it." I have no excuse.
But there's part of me, right now, that enjoys more intimate times with the Lord, than I do corporate fellowship. I don't know why, but I am more drawn to being at home alone with Him, than being involved in a loud, upbeat service.
So if I get a reason to stay home? I take it. It's just what I'm going through right now. God is doing something in me, and I'm not sure what it's all about.
When I come out of this phase, though, I will be right back in there, like David said, among the throngs of people going to the house of the Lord!
Have fun with the Super Bowl! We don't have cable, so I'm not sure how my boys will watch the game.
Blessings to you all!
Good point Michelle… I pray you have been greatly replenished this past weekend! God renew your strength like the eagles! You are such a blessing to me! Keep smiling!
I totally agree with you. We don't ever cancel church. Because a few years back, we had a 2:00 service in order to give people time to shovel out. A family visited that day with probably less than 1/4 of the regulars in attendance. That family's life was changed forever and still to this day they have impacted many lives through their ministry. After that we figured people would get to church somehow. Since moving to OK, these people here at our new church are so hungry for the Word, that we couldn't cancel service because they would walk to church to get there. So even if 2 or 3 show up we will have church. It makes it easy because now we live next to the church, so we're here anyway.
Hey Sherry Palmer! Sure do miss you and Terry! You guys have been a continual source of inspiration to me and my family throughout the years. Your hunger for the things of God… its a very rare commodity in todays world. I pray for NEW strength and more peace than ever before!! Love you guys!
Plenty of church-going Christian would say that going to church is as important to your spiritual life as going to work is important to your financial life. But when tested, it turns out our behavior gives away what we really believe.
Chuck, I always enjoy your candor and willingness to question our behavior as Christians. I don't comment often on your blog, but know that I am a reader. (I generally use an rss feed to keep up with my reading so I don't often find myself leaving comments.)
I wanted to let you know that I mentioned you in my recent post about church ministries. I'd love to get your thoughts if you have some time after the big game!
http://katherinelaine.blogspot.com/2010/02/minist…
Katherine, I loved your blog! And I really appreciate your very kind words to me! God has used you to encourage me today. Thank you for taking the time to write! Keep writing, you're making a difference!!
I WOULD SAY YES SINCE WE ARE THE CHURCH.THE BIBLE SAYS THAT NO GREATER LOVE IS THIS, THAN A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS BROTHER.AMEN!!!!! NOW THAT THERE IS SOME SHOUTING MATERIAL!!!
Great verse Mark… laying down our lives for our brothers in the sacrifices we make to meet together! Awesome!
Wow! You have a big heart!
I am finally able to read this from an actual pc, just got to work a bit ago. I dug out my car and made it in. My apt. complex was bad untill you get to the actual road. Some of the roads are better than others, it's feast or famine with ice in Waynesboro.
I totally see your point and I didn't realize there were some clear roadways. If people can get out to do stuff, they should be willing to go to church too. I def. see your point:)
Mel
You're such a powerful lady Mel… I'm still praying for Eric like crazy. Tell him I said hello!
Chuck – found you through the wonderful world of Facebook. Saw your update and needed to read that blog.
I'm a Worship Pastor and Professor of Worship at a local university out here in Southern California.
Serving Him,
Steven