More than a Pin
For decades, church members received awards in recognition of their unwavering commitment to perfect church attendance. These godly individuals were honored year after year, receiving pins as a testament to their dedication and loyalty to the church. Regrettably, this once-vibrant tradition has faded into obscurity, and with it, the emphasis on regular church attendance has waned. Thom Ranier, an authority on faith-based research and trends, offers a disconcerting overview of social shifts:
Two decades ago, a frequent churchgoer was someone who actively participated in church services or activities once or twice a week. Prior to the pandemic, most church members and leaders considered attending church twice a month as a sign of active involvement. However, one of the trends emerging from the pandemic is the increasing number of individuals attending church only once a month.
While church attendance remains crucial, it is but a symptom of a larger issue: a deficiency in faithfulness to Jesus. Weekly gatherings with fellow believers are a vital aspect of faithfulness to Jesus, but true faithfulness encompasses much more.
1. Faithfulness to Jesus equates to obedience. As Jesus told His disciples in John 14:15, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." In 1 John 5:3, the author reiterates, "and his commandments are not burdensome."
2. Faithfulness to Jesus entails spiritual growth in holiness. Just as accents change when children move to different states, our close relationship with Jesus should transform His followers to be more like Him. John also echoes this sentiment in 1 John 3:2, "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be. We know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."
3. Faithfulness to Jesus involves serving one another. The disciples were not instructed to display their faith through Christian paraphernalia; rather, Jesus emphasized, "By this, all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another." (John 13:35 ESV)
4. Faithfulness to Jesus is synonymous with following Him faithfully. Describing Himself as the Good Shepherd, Jesus clarifies, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27) He calls us to forsake our plans and follow wherever He leads.
Many individuals faithfully attend church every week but fall short of genuinely following Jesus. The health of our church cannot be measured solely by filling pews; true growth stems from our collective commitment to faithfully follow Jesus. Do you love your fellow believers? Do you serve them? Are you dedicated enough to meet with them faithfully? Naturally, we all have our shortcomings. Let us be thankful for the promise of Revelation 3:20: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."
Two decades ago, a frequent churchgoer was someone who actively participated in church services or activities once or twice a week. Prior to the pandemic, most church members and leaders considered attending church twice a month as a sign of active involvement. However, one of the trends emerging from the pandemic is the increasing number of individuals attending church only once a month.
While church attendance remains crucial, it is but a symptom of a larger issue: a deficiency in faithfulness to Jesus. Weekly gatherings with fellow believers are a vital aspect of faithfulness to Jesus, but true faithfulness encompasses much more.
1. Faithfulness to Jesus equates to obedience. As Jesus told His disciples in John 14:15, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." In 1 John 5:3, the author reiterates, "and his commandments are not burdensome."
2. Faithfulness to Jesus entails spiritual growth in holiness. Just as accents change when children move to different states, our close relationship with Jesus should transform His followers to be more like Him. John also echoes this sentiment in 1 John 3:2, "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be. We know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."
3. Faithfulness to Jesus involves serving one another. The disciples were not instructed to display their faith through Christian paraphernalia; rather, Jesus emphasized, "By this, all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another." (John 13:35 ESV)
4. Faithfulness to Jesus is synonymous with following Him faithfully. Describing Himself as the Good Shepherd, Jesus clarifies, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27) He calls us to forsake our plans and follow wherever He leads.
Many individuals faithfully attend church every week but fall short of genuinely following Jesus. The health of our church cannot be measured solely by filling pews; true growth stems from our collective commitment to faithfully follow Jesus. Do you love your fellow believers? Do you serve them? Are you dedicated enough to meet with them faithfully? Naturally, we all have our shortcomings. Let us be thankful for the promise of Revelation 3:20: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."
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