Where did my congregation go?

I'm sure this is a questions many pastors and church leaders have been asking themselves lately. Attendance is very low and sometimes almost non-existent. Those that do attend are the faithful and older crowd that come to every event. The people that need to hear God's Word are not attending. Don't get me wrong every one needs to hear and study God's Word, but without hearing the Word our faith can grow weak.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17(NIV) 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(NIV). There are many places in the Bible where we are encouraged to continually meet to hear and study God's Word.

What are we afraid of? Do we fear the "disease" so much that we hunker down in our house or apartment and refuse to leave? Has fear of the government caused many to limit there exposure to other people? Did we loose the trust we have that God is there to not only provide for us, but to protect us from harm. If heaven truly is our home, why shy away from the hearing of God's Word and the fellowship of other believers?

I can not look into the hearts of other people, I can only look at my own life. I was broken. I have gone through years of trials and wandering that other people would not understand. Some see my life from the outside and see a person who has been faithful to GOD and his Word and family all his life. I sorry to disappoint you, but the true picture is a lot different. In my journey I have been shown that the hearing of God's Word and the meeting together of Believers to encourage one another is essential. Without this I would not be where I am today.

I spent the lessor part of a year wandering. I still went to Church often and read my Bible every day. But I wasn't myself. I called that year my year of insanity. I had bad dreams, I imagined bad situations, I almost lost my marriage. Through that whole time God did not give up on me and I kept going to church. Maybe someone was praying for me, I hope so. But the success of getting through the difficult times is God and God's Word. The best place to receive the encouragement is at church with fellow believers. We all need the sense of togetherness and sameness of spirit that keeps us going.

I can't get you dressed and out of the house. I can't force you to do anything. That is part of the freedom that we have, no one can make you do it. All I can do is point you in the right direction, and pray to God that you get the idea to come to worship. Do you really think that the world of diseases are so bad that you have to stay boarded up in your house. Is the fear over taking your life? A little time with your fellow Christians and a good hour of worship is the cure I would advise. The Lord is with us. He will be with you at home, at church, and at work. Let us not neglect the meeting together for the Worship of the Lord.