Pastor’s Corner : New season and new opportunities

— This week marks the beginning of a new school year in our communities and, if your school did not start this week, there is no doubt it will begin this next week. I love the start of school. Don’t get me wrong, I have greatly enjoyed the freedom of summer and all that it entails - vacations, long days, outdoor and outside activities, BBQs and backyard fun. However, there is something about the end of summer and the beginning of school which allows us to get back into the routine of life. Now, I do not expect the kids to share my anticipation and enthusiasm for the new school year. In fact, I expect them to strongly disagree. However, allow me to make a few points concerning why I think it is a great time of year.

First of all it marks the beginning of fall. That means cooler weather!

Boy do we need that after sustaining record breaking heat this summer.

Secondly, it is the beginning of football season. For this Texas boy, it is in my DNA to live for football! I am very excited for our Pea Ridge boys this year as it is looking to be a breakout season - and as of the writing of this article it is exactly one month away from the Hogs playing Alabama. It doesn’t get any better than that for die-hard Arkansas football fans!

Yet, as a pastor, there is one thing about the start of school and the fall season being upon us that is an unmeasurable blessing.

Folks start settling back into the habits and routines of ordinary life and that includes their church life.

Every preacher bemoans the summer time for the toll it takes on attendance.

It is just a natural thing for folks to travel, vacation and recreate more in the summer time and that means there are times they are not going to be in church.

I miss them greatly but understand also that family time is important and that is what summer time is for! I do, however, love it when we get back into the fall routine and begin to habitually return to our houses of worship.

Now let me be clear - I do not presume that everyone reading this article has a church habit, nor would I be so presumptuous to think that it is even on the radar of some. I also want to clarify that this in no way means you’re deficient in your morals oryour standing in our community if you don’t. Some of the greatest folks I know and best neighbors I have had simply did not “do the church thing.” I get it, I understand that reality. However, I do want to make a case for using the fall to begin a routine of church attendance.

A church family is a wonderful addition to anyone’s life and routine and certainly is what God would have for His children. We are created for community and involvement with one another, both physically and spiritually. Just as we would all agree that school is a good thing for our children and necessary because of the educational and social environment that they are placed in, I am saying that church is a good thing because of the learning, teaching and fellowship that comes with other people and families of like faith. In my own faith tradition we believe strongly that the Bible teaches that church membership is an outward expression of an inward reality of a relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. That is not to say church gets you to Heaven; it clearly does not. However, I believe at church we learn of the one who provided the way that we can go to Heaven, the one who paid the price so that we might have eternal life and the forgiveness of our sins.

Yes, I am guilty of believing in church. If you are a believer, take advantage of this season to reconnect with your church family and get back into the routine of family worship and church involvement. If you are not involved in church, this is a great time of year to start. Most churches are kicking off their new church year with events and promotions and activities to help you get started.

Life is going to slow down a little now into a routine with the start of school and the fall season. Why not establish a healthier church habit? It’s a great time to start!

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Editor’s note: Jack Maddox is the pastor of First Baptist Church, Garfield.

Follow him on his blog at www.wordpress.jackmaddox.com, or e-mail him at [email protected].

Church, Pages 2 on 08/22/2012