Church Attendance Could Be Hazardous

I was born and bred in North Carolina.   The North Carolina of my youth was a state where tobacco was a big part of the economy.     I believe that it was in the 1960’s when the United States surgeon general and Congress took the lead to put on all cigarette packages that “smoking could be hazardous to your health”.     I  can recall some pastors using that warning in a positive way to encourage worship attendance claiming that worship attendance was not hazardous to your health and that even infrequent worship-goers did not have to worry about the roof falling in when they walked through the church doors.  

Now, it seems that worship attendance has become hazardous to your health.   In the last few weeks, I have heard of new incidents where shooters have entered places of worship in the United States and beyond killing or  injuring worshippers.    These are in the aftermath of similar events in recent years in places like Charleston, SC and Sutherland Springs, Texas.   I lament the fact that a place that should be a sanctuary in every sense of the word becomes a place of violence.  

I have heard the calls on social media for new gun control measures and increasing mental health assessments.   I have also heard those who argue against such measures.  I appreciate the effort that law enforcement officials are making to assist  church leaders to increase security measures.  I went several months ago to a seminar by our local police department for church leaders seeking to educate them on some inexpensive and expensive ways they can make their houses of worship more secure.

The purpose of this blog entry is to not to advocate for or against such measures though I am sure that there are folks reading this would like for that not be the case.   The purpose of this blog entry is advocate for  this important truth:  when we  truly love, we always make ourselves vulnerable for the potential of hurt or harm.     When we love enough to welcome someone into our place of worship, into our life, or into our heart, there is always the possibility that we might get hurt.    

Therefore, I will continue week after week to face the possibility that attending worship might be hazardous to my health  seeking to follow the One who opened his arms wide in love to hang on a cross.   Have a joy-filled week.-   Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:    Loving God, we grieve those who in days present and days past have suffered harm in places of worship.    Give the body of Christ, the Church, the courage to open their arms and hearts wide with your love to all who come their way;  through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.