After all the excitement and energy the first Spark concert provided, I decided to devote my previous post to something relevant to that evening.  The following post is part 2 of "Are We Excited", which I posted prior to "The Sticky Floor". 

 
I want to tell you a story, it's pretty long, but I am going to condense it as much as possible.  There was a church that had been vibrant for many, many years, with wonderful servants of the Lord, a strong Sunday School, well attended Sunday service, amazing music and too many programs and groups to mention.  Over time, its members started to age and very few younger families were joining.  Now those remaining were still strong in faith, but their numbers were dwindling for various reasons, most notably age.  As that happened, attendance dropped, programs and activities decreased, or even ceased to exist and it was as if they were just holding on, hoping something would change, but really not doing much to bring about that change.  Sounds like hundreds, if not thousands of churches around the country, including many which have closed their doors for good.  It sounds a little like our church as well. 
 
With that being said, we decided that we weren't going to let that happen.  We were going to do whatever was necessary to reverse that trend and bring life and growth back into GUMC.  And it is from the people of GUMC that I obtained the ideas for my top 12 list in my previous "Are We Excited" post.  What I have witnessed in less than a year has been nothing short of miraculous,  has God's hands and spirit written all over it and has truly been a reflection of Jesus (see #9 on the list). 
 
We have decided that we aren't going to just hang on, but we are going to do whatever is necessary to bring younger families back, leave behind a church that our kids and grand kids can enjoy, as we all did and reach out to those outside of our circle, with getting outside the circle probably the most important.  Think about a circle, in fact, think about our GUMC circle.  We are great at ministering to each other, loving each other and serving each other.  However, if we only take care of, serve and minister to those in our circle, all we do is go around and around until that circle gets smaller and smaller and eventually fades away.  It was a great circle, but over time, without growth, it disappeared.  Take that same circle and open up one end.  It doesn't have to be a large opening at first, but just enough to let others see some of the wonderful things we have inside.  Remember my saying, it's better to start small than not at all.  As that happens, the circle starts to get full, so we have to open it up a little more and a little more and before you know it, that opening just keeps getting larger and larger.  It never closes again, but just keeps bringing more and more into the fold.  That is what we are becoming, the church that loves all, welcomes all and serves all and in doing so, our interlocking arms will continue to get wider and wider, surrounding more and more of those who are looking for something and all we had to do was open up that circle a little bit. 
 
Next, I want to relay just a few of the things I have witnessed amongst all of you over the past year that influenced this post.    
 
#2, get involved, no matter what our age.  The days of saying I served my time, now I'm going to sit back and cruise, are long gone.  Maybe that's OK with life after retirement, but I know it's not OK with our faith.  Maybe in eternity we can relax, but while we're here on earth, use what we've been given in time and in gifts to serve and help others.  Example- I believe the out front people for K'motion are all over 50, one is retired and none will have any kids or grand kids in that program and the same can be said for the many volunteers in that program, as well as our community wide VBS this summer. 
 
#4 Stepping out of our comfort zones.  I think it's pretty clear to all of us, if we stand pat, stay in our nice little cozy GUMC atmosphere and don't start doing some things differently (you notice, I didn't say all things differently), there won't be a GUMC in 10-20 years, or what remains will be a shell of itself. 
Examples- to name a few, we're changing up our traditional service time, we're adding the modern service, adult Sunday School has changed and we have to make some alterations to the sanctuary in order for it to be more conducive to the second service.  Those are some giant steps!!
 
#11 Make disciples.  Meeting at church on Sundays, in Sunday School and some of our long time groups isn't enough.  Many things we do now, we have to do better, while other areas will require alterations or complete changes. Examples- see #4 above, Bible 101, Foundations, W3, Wednesday morning group, friend day, bible study, participating in the community prayer walk, the Spark concerts, participating in the Girard Parade and all the summer bible readers in the Asbury class. 
 
#10 Don't be negative and most definitely, don't be judgmental, even when it's something we may not particularly like or agree with.  All of us aren't going to agree on everything.  Example- we are all making sacrifices, and there are some things we may not agree with or care for, but if it's for the betterment of His Kingdom first and our church second, we still are giving it our blessing. 
 
#3 Share.   This is one I think we're getting much better at and I have witnessed personally and publicly as well.  Examples- I have heard more bible based conversations than I ever remember in groups, in personal conversations I've had with others and at various meetings, people are speaking out more openly about their faith, people are realizing that there is way more to being a Christian than just attending church and aren't afraid to make visible changes and people are willing to express themselves regarding our church's new direction and endeavor. 
 
#7 Use our gifts.  Read Matt 25:14-30, the parable of the talents.  God gives us all gifts, but we must use them or risk losing them and they are to be used not for our benefit, but for the furthering of His kingdom and to serve others. Examples- look no further than our church band Revive, talk about using your gifts, then there's our new choir director, who didn't abandon our traditional numbers, but isn't afraid to add a modern flair at times and the new leaders in the church, who have stepped up to head groups or meetings, or offer their visible support.
 
And finally #12, His Kingdom first.  Read everything above!! 
 
If you were able to hang in there and read this entire post, I think the answer to the title of this post is a resounding YES!!!  I'm sure you can easily add many other things to this list, as I could, but it was already long enough.  So with summer upon us, I encourage you to keep the momentum going, keep reading, keep praying, stay involved in the church, or get more involved and keep serving and sharing so that when we go to our two services in the fall, we'll hit the ground running. 
 

As I began to write this post, my brain was a jumbled bunch of thoughts.  I was lost.  I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to say, but couldn't get started.  Then I realized that I wasn't just listening to my own thoughts, I was also listening to the news on the TV in the background.  I got up, shut off the news and almost immediately, I was tapping out words on the computer.  Amazing how much clearer we can think, or deal with the task at hand, when we shut out all the 'worldly distractions" and focus.  The same can most definitely be said when it comes to talking to God, or even more so, when it comes to Him communicating with us. 
 
We've all heard stories about how God talked directly to someone.  There are many in the bible, but I'm sure you know of many others which are much more recent, including in our own time.  You probably even know someone who has said that they've heard the voice of God.  Then why is it that so many of us feel like God doesn't talk to us?  There are many reasons we can all think of, but I'd like to explore 3 that I came up with.    
 
1) We want an answer right now!  Yes, we've become, for the most part, the generation of instant gratification.  Fast food, instant news, same day delivery, 30 minute oil changes, 1 hour dry cleaning and on demand movies, just to name a few.  So why not fast faith?  Take our concerns to God, or ask to hear from Him and whammo, prayer answered, voice of God heard.  C'mon Lord, you have to adjust to the times like everyone else, right.  WRONG!!!  Think of all the times in our lives when we've made a snap judgment, or a decision while our emotions we're running high.  Could you imagine if God answered some of those prayers right away?  I know my life would be entirely different right now and it wouldn't be for the better.  In fact, it's possible I might not even be here right now.  I wish I could answer the questions so many of us have as to why some prayers are answered quickly, while others take what seems like an eternity.  This isn't always comforting to me, but it usually helps.  The Lord does His work in His time, not our time. 
 
2) Worldly distractions.  Think about our every day lives and all distractions that are in place to keep the communication lines with God clogged up or even blocked.  It virtually starts the minute most of us wake up, with an alarm clock and before we fall asleep, as our cell phone goes off one more time.  And in between those two occurrences, think about what else keeps us away from communicating with God.  If you have kids, just taking care of them will definitely keep you busy, then throw in all their events, like band, sports, dance, after schools events, friends and most days are already jam packed.  Now add in work, home and yard care, bills, social media, TV, cell phones and computers (and I'm sure you can think of more) and I would say the communication line between you and God is over loaded and possibly out of service. 
 
3) We rarely take the time to just listen.  Yes praying is important, as is just talking  to God.  And when we're fortunate to actually find some time to communicate with Him, we're so busy praying, talking, asking for things and making our requests known, that we rarely, if ever, just stop and listen.  We rarely let our brains just shut down for awhile, clear our thoughts (see the first line of this post) and let God come to us.  We have so much stuff going out that it blocks what the Lord is trying to send our way. 
 
So how do we ever consistently stay in contact with God, when we have so many distractions that it seems like it's next to impossible?  In my next post, I'm going to give you some suggestions that have worked for me.  In doing my best to insert those things into my daily life, it has allowed the lines of communication to open up, the wall of distractions to crumble and me to more often hear the Lord.

I received various responses regarding my previous post.  After digesting that info, I have come to the conclusion that changes will be necessary if we are to alter the direction in which our church has been headed over the past 10-20 years.  

Not only to survive, but more importantly, to grow and be the church God wants us to be and expects us to be.  

So what are some things we can do?  Let's consider a few questions and then maybe look at some possible solutions. 

• Are we part of a warm and welcoming congregation?  
  
• Do people see the face of Jesus when they walk in the doors and feel His presence?  
  
• Are we a continual beacon of light to those not only within the walls of the building, but is that light shining outside those walls and beyond Girard?  
• Are we willing to accept people as they are, not as we want them to be, or think they should be?  
  
• Is our church focused on the word of God, doing His will and always looking to further His kingdom and spread the gospel?  
  
• Is our church able to offer something for everyone in our service/services and is it ready to possibly make the necessary changes to do so?  
  
• Is our church growing, not only in number, especially those under 30 and those with young families, but more importantly in spirit, in service to others, in love and acceptance of all and in the knowledge and implementation of God's word? 
  

 
It's not just about getting people to come, it's about getting them to stay.  If we make them feel like they are a part of our church family, the hope is that they too will become an active and participating member, serving others like those that served them when they first arrived. 


I have been going to Girard First since 1986 and my first memory of the people was how friendly and welcoming they were.  It was almost mind boggling, especially since I came from a much larger church where I didn't experience that.  I think we are still great at welcoming others; however, we have become much better at following up, which is just as important.
 
                       Let your light so shine before all, that they                                                  may see your good works, and glorify your                                                  Father which is in heaven.                          Matt 5:16  

By allowing our inner light to shine brightly, I believe that there is no way we can't be a reflection of Jesus.  The humble selfless servant, that allows others to see their good works, not for their own benefit or recognition, but to glorify God, will always be a beacon of light to all.  And when we serve selflessly, as Jesus did, then there is no way that we won't be a reflection of Him.
   
Are we accepting of all, with ALL being the key word?  I recently heard something at Monday night bible study regarding acceptance. It came from a lesbian women who never felt accepted by Christians.  Then one day she became friends with a minister who disagreed with most of her thoughts and beliefs, but still was able to convey love towards her.  It was a beautiful story and much too long to tell; however, I want to provide the condensed version of what she said.  It went something like this, "there's a difference between acceptance and approval".  Meaning, the minister may not have approved of her lifestyle, or some of her ideals, but he was still accepting of her.  It's easy to share our faith with others like us, those we know and love, who look, sound and talk like us, but what about those not like us?  Those are the people we must attract to our church as well.  Just as Jesus came not to judge, but to serve all, so should we. 

                     God sent His Son into this world not to 
                     judge the world, but to save the world through Him.                                                                                              John 3:17 

                     For even the Son of Man came not to be served,                                          but to serve others.                           Mark 10:45                    


Do we as a church read the word, live the word and spread the word?  Now that's a challenging trifecta, isn't it?  There was no caveat or disclaimer when Jesus said to go make disciples!!  We must continue as individuals and as a congregation to be in the word.  Not just reading it, but listening to it, understanding it and applying it to our lives.  And in doing so, our lives will be changed.  And then it is our responsibility to extend the word to others, spreading that good news to all.  God's word is truly a gift and once you or I have received it, we must share it.  I am excited about the newly ignited focus on the bible at GUMC.  In just a few short months, we have seen two new bible based groups form, a bible for beginners class, the Monday night group digging even deeper and the Asbury class continuing to grow stronger in the word.  As a church and as individuals, we must always continue to stay focused on God's word, which is truly a living, breathing, life guiding instrument.
 
What do you think we need to do to attract the younger generation to GUMC and then keep them coming back?  The answer to this question, and many others you may have, will be addressed at a congregation wide meeting on Monday, April 6 at 7:00 PM in the sanctuary.  If you want to have your say on where we are headed and be a part of the exciting and positive direction I believe our church is moving towards, then please come to this meeting.  It is your chance to see what is tentatively planned, make any suggestions and voice your concerns.                 

Finally, why are we here?  I have asked that question of myself and I'm sure many of you have as well.  Usually that question is applied to life in general; however, for the moment, I want to apply it solely to our church.  So let me rephrase the question.  


Why are we here at GUMC?  A few months ago I attended a workshop and the leader was talking about faltering churches.  He said someone made this comment to him regarding the life of his church, "I need it to be around long enough to marry me and bury me."  How sad is that and how self-serving.  Could you imagine if all those wonderful people before us and the current elders of our church thought like that?  


So I ask again, why are we here at GUMC?  I believe the most pressing reason we are here at GUMC is to continue to allow it to do God's work, as well as honor those that came before us and leave a legacy behind that will enable our children and grandchildren to enjoy all the same benefits that the church provided to us.  However, if our church is to be a true instrument of God, serving Him in all the ways He instructs, then we must eventually go even further.  


I believe we will never be the church He truly wants us to be if we don't extend our reach outside of our church walls and outside of our own circle of GUMC friends and families.  We must make a concerted effort to reach out to our community, to the non-religious and nominally religious.  To those that don't look like us, talk like us or sound like us and to those that have strayed from the church for one reason or another.  When we can do all of this, then I believe our church will be that beacon of light, brightly shining on all.  It will be that place where people know they are welcome, with no requirements and with no judgment.  And it will truly be a reflection of Jesus.   
              
I'd like to finish with what might be my favorite discipleship passages.
  
                        Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord                                               shall be saved.  But how are they to call on                                                 one in whom they have not believed?  And how                                           are they to believe in one of whom they have                                               never heard?  And how are they to hear without                                           someone to proclaim Him?  And how are they                                             to proclaim Him unless they are sent?  As it is                                             written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who                                           bring good news!                                Romans 10:13-15  

Let's be the church that brings the good news to all!!