I'm someone who wants to understand. For some time I've been trying to figure out what people don't like about church. I know why I lost interest as a young adult. But what about those who are now empty nester's and unchurched. Is it church itself, the people who make up church, or God?
Unchurched adults are defined as those who have not attended church services, other than perhaps for a holiday or special occasion such as a wedding or funeral, at any time in the past six months. A Barna survey reported that unchurched adults have risen from 21 percent in 1991 to 34 percent in 2004. The adult population in the United States during that same period rose about 15 percent. And the number of adults who do not attend church has nearly doubled, rising from 39 million to 75 million.
What's the reason? I know several people who simply find church a waste of time. And most people understand that time lost is time gone. Wasted money can be made back. Wasted food can be replaced. But waste time and it's gone for good.
God stirs the hearts of people. They feel a yearning, often for something they can't identify. In trying to satisfy that desire they delve into a variety of experiences.
I want to know what it would take to make exploring God part of that process. What would it take to make God worth someone's time.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Are we home yet?
Four months ago today we left Ohio. Soon after arriving in Payson we made the decision to live here. Actually Wes wanted to live here and I agreed to give it a try. Now I'm thinking this is actually where God wants us!
Settling in hasn't been easy. We decided to rent since we're in this "give it a try" phase and we have a nice 3 bedroom / 2 bath home. Pretty much meets our needs. Wes has been working since June 25 and I started to work the first of July. Finding this part-time job went a long way toward my choice to give Payson a try.
Searching for a church became one of our highest priorities. We have been to several, some more than once and one church six times. It's not happening. And you can about guess where that leaves me - lost and wondering and simply feeling like a fish out of water. I'm just not settled without a church home and none on the horizon.
This is a real challenge. Not having a church home is simply not an option. Being part of church where God is not calling us doesn't work. How many times have I said, "I'm not a church planter."?
As one friend put it, either we will be leaving Payson or we will start a new work. Which do you think we'll do?
Settling in hasn't been easy. We decided to rent since we're in this "give it a try" phase and we have a nice 3 bedroom / 2 bath home. Pretty much meets our needs. Wes has been working since June 25 and I started to work the first of July. Finding this part-time job went a long way toward my choice to give Payson a try.
Searching for a church became one of our highest priorities. We have been to several, some more than once and one church six times. It's not happening. And you can about guess where that leaves me - lost and wondering and simply feeling like a fish out of water. I'm just not settled without a church home and none on the horizon.
This is a real challenge. Not having a church home is simply not an option. Being part of church where God is not calling us doesn't work. How many times have I said, "I'm not a church planter."?
As one friend put it, either we will be leaving Payson or we will start a new work. Which do you think we'll do?
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