„SOUTHWESTERN UNION RECORDSEPTEMBER 1994 • r. 1 • 4 . 1 • 4 . • 4 4 • • • J. • • e . 0 • 0 • • • • • e. • • • •• ? • 11 0 "b. #41 REQUESTED TION RREC ADDRESS CO "Back Where I Belong STORY OF A LONG-LOST MEMBER WHO WAS WELCOMED HOME s they emerged from the baptismal pool their faces radiated the joy Aand excitement they had found in their new faith in God. Empty pews Having searched for some time, they had finally found a church that believed the entire Bible, even to worshipping on the sev- Why do we have enth day! But, as the months have passed, this couple's zeal has them? declined. Their faces no longer radiate with joy, and they're not enthusiastic about coming to church. In fact, sometimes they come, and sometimes they don't. And one of the old-timers says, "I knew they wouldn't last long. They weren't grounded well Empty pews enough in the church. The pas- tor baptized them too soon." Tragedy! Tragedy in our church! They're a story of Tragedy in the church this couple had found to have the tragedy. answers to all their longings! Why do we expend so much energy winning Empty pews people to the Lord and then sit back while they There's a story behind lose faith in the church? each vacant seat. In the business world it's gen- erally known to be easier to re- gain a lost client than to establish a new one. It's the same in the church. While we continue to bring new converts in through the front door, we seldom ex- Empty pews pend sufficient prayerful energy on those disenfranchised mem- bers leaving through the back door to even let them know we care. Why not show them that we • They're a weekly really do care! On most Sabbaths less than half our members are present in reminder that church. The average attendance reported in a number of confer- ences that participated in a weekly something's not right. head count during worship was COVER PHOTO: Mike Holland oper- ates the sound system at the Keene, Texas, church. Holland developed his skill with audio equipment working in the music industry. SEE COVER STORY ON PAGE 5. (Photo: John Beaman) 2 RECORD / September 1994 about 50 percent of the book The members of her class cause they may not have reached count, and those head counts in- should have recognized what was the same commitment level in cluded non- members and visitors What can be done happening when her attendance church doctrine as others in the as well. It is estimated that al- became sporadic, but it was some congregation have." though the North American to prevent young time before someone commented PastorJack: "How do you feel Division's official membership list people from on her absence. Several people about your children and the stands at approximately 800,000, called her. She was always polite church?" there are between 1 and 2 million having a "faith but had little to say. A few mem- Becky: "When my children former members who live in North spasm?" bers knew she was going through were smaller, I did take them to America. Having once accepted a crisis, but since she was a very an Adventist Church on and off. the teachings of the Adventist ♦ "HAVING MORE ACTIVI- private person no one felt they I hoped they would get an under- message, these persons have some- TIES for young people. Hardly could pressure her into talking. standing of the love of Jesus, but how slipped out the "back door." anyone in my small church was In a thank you note she wrote to I felt no real love in the Adventist my age, and I felt out of place and one of the members who sent her Church. Rules seemed to be the ♦ AS CHURCH ENDED she as if little was for me." Denny, 18.* a gift at Christmas time she wrote, prominent issue. The atmosphere came walking down the isle to- "Thank you for remembering me. was very legalistic. I hoped the ♦"I'D COME BACK if I felt it ward me with tears in her eyes. I may come back to church some- church would help teach my chil- were entirely my decision. I could "My son," she said, "my son is in time, but right now the church dren about a personal relation- not be forced or dragged back— terrible trouble! We need your doesn't meet my needs." ship with Christ, but the rules as I was when growing up. An- prayers. We have a women's about what we can and cannot do other thing that prevents me from prayer group at our church," she was the theme most often taught. going to church now is that I continued with trembling voice. Knowledge about a loving God need to learn to accept church What causes "He was brought up in the church. was obscured. members as they are. I am tired He knows what we believe. He people to become "I have found Adventist people of seeing hypocrites. I know ev- knows about God. But now it very quick to correct others about eryone is in need of God's love, seems he's given all that up. He disenfranchised their innermost beliefs. I share but I don't like it when some doesn't want to hear about reli- the gospel and how my faith in people think they are better than from the church, gion and . and . and I think God strengthens me on a day to others." Rosie, 28.* maybe he's on drugs! What can I and what can be day basis, but I do not take it do? Please, pray for us!" ♦"WE WOULD COME BACK done to reverse upon myself to discount another's if the Adventist Church didn't personal worship habits because have so many rules. In both our this trend? they do not parallel my own. "It is my job as a parent to see experiences—from grade school ♦BECKY WAS REARED IN A What happens to that my children learn that God through college—the church has CHRISTIAN HOME with her six is real, that He sent His Son for cause young focused on the rules: 'Don't drink brothers and sisters. Her mother our redemption, and that we can Coke; don't buy hamburgers on took them to the Adventist people to turn communicate with Him through band tours, etc . .' The church Church each Sabbath. When it prayer. I did not see that happen- has failed to stress the impor- was time for Becky to enter col- against religion ing in the Adventist Church so I tance of a relationship with God. lege, a kind Adventist couple looked for another church home. when it's been a Instead, it has made us feel guilty whom she admires very much "I feel that children need to be when we don't conform to the helped make it financially pos- part of their prepared to meet the challenges rules—even if we're doing what sible for her to attend Southwest- of the world. I believe that when upbringing? we feel to be right. We find it ern Adventist College in Keene. Christ returns denominational easier to stay away from the But now, years have passed, Every individual faces a time boundaries will not preclude in- church and develop our relation- and you won't find Becky in the when they question religion. It's dividuals from being saved." ship with the Lord than to come Adventist Church, nor will you known as a "faith spasm." To Pastor Jack: "Thanks, Becky, back." Sandy, 26, and David, 28.* find her five children there. What every thinking person comes for your willingness to share happened? Becky was gracious that question—is this what I want your feelings so freely with us." out of life? It's usually during enough to share her story with the late teens and early twenties WHAT ABOUT Pastor Jack Francisco of the that this becomes an all-consum- ADULTS? Oklahoma Conference. ing question. lf, up to this time, Pastor Jack: "Would you care What could have to share with me why you no . they have not had a personal Are there times been done to encounter with God where they longer worship in the Adventist know Him as a personal friend, when going to Church?" keep Joan and as one who loves them and wants church is Becky: "I still attend church, to be their guide, young people just not the Adventist Church. Becky from can become difficult. They may meaningless? The strict religious observance I leaving the "kick up the traces," break the experienced as a member in the ♦ JOAN HAS BEEN A MEM- rules and get rebellious. They'll Adventist Church seemed to dis- Adventist Church? BER of a lively Sabbath school not want any part of religion, tract from the actual worship of class where everyone participates In a recent Gallup Poll it was because it has not been mean- God. But I want to quickly add in the discussion. Her comments determined that 70 percent of ingful, only restrictive. It's only that I have only good things to are always thought provoking and Americans believe most when they've had a personal say about the Adventist people." carefully worded. It appears she churches and synagogues are encounter with God that they Pastor Jack: "What can has a meaningful relationship not effective in helping people will, once again, recognize the Adventists do to help people stay with her Lord.