Sunday Lessons

Sometimes we forget what the rest of the world is doing.

Most Sundays I wake up to a before-sunrise alarm clock and set out on an early morning drive to the office.  It’s usually a bit hazy.  The dew lingers on the grass and the fog is still hanging in the air.   Everything is generally pretty quiet and peaceful.

But the last couple of weeks I’ve had some alternate plans that have had me out and about mid-morning on Sunday.   And it seems I’ve kind of forgotten what the rest of the world is doing on Sundays.

  • At about 8am Percy Warner park is buzzing with activity, especially on a beautiful fall morning like today.
  • Around 10 or 11am the Interstate is clogging up with carloads of Titans fans, flags proudly flapping in the wind, headed to the game.
  • About the same time, every local Starbucks is full of casual coffee-drinkers sipping their treat of choice and reveling in a good read.

I was amused by all the activity that happens each and every week while I’m tucked away inside the four walls of a place that I would still rather be more than anywhere else.

However I have to admit I was easily tempted by each of their activities.  All equally enjoyable things that I would be eager to do if given a lazy Sunday morning.

My Sunday Lesson today is that sometimes I forget what the rest of the world is doing.  I forget what is competing for their attention.  I forget what a commitment and sacrifice it is for them to attend church rather than one of these activities that so easily woos them.

Church leaders, don’t forget!  Don’t forget what we’re competing with.  Do everything you can to create a place as compelling as any one of these other environments.  Because if we can create the place, they’ll experience something that none of these other things can ever do… provide them an encounter with their Creator and Savior.

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  • Will Johnston September 26, 2011  

    Great reminder!  I’ve been on vacation for the past few days, and I’ve had a few of those, “Oh yeah, this is what it’s like…” moments as a visitor at church rather than a staff member.  It’s easy to forget what it’s like on the other side.

  • Anonymous September 26, 2011  

    I really enjoy your Sunday Lessons, but this one was really great. I needed to be reminded if this and also feel so strongly about what we offer needing to be something nothing else can do.

  • Donah2h September 26, 2011  

    Hello Jenni, just want to say I enjoy & appreciate your blogs.  in response to creating a place that is compelling…if you can, check out my home church’s website, eastviewchurch.net,  for a video that was part of the sermon yesterday.  It was made by our worship leader, Matt Ludwig and our senior pastor, Mike Baker.  They are hilarilous!