Desperate Families (Pt. 6): “Why Bother?” - Church

The way some people think and act regarding church, you could ask the question we want to answer today,“Why bother? What’s the big deal? Why bother with church at all?”

An increasing number of Americans, especially younger ones, have come to the conclusion that they can be spiritual without the church. Ask them about their relationship to God & they affirm Him.  But ask them about going to church regularly, or joining a church & you get this, “Why bother?”

I want to give you some reasons to think about your answer to the question, “Why bother?” Consider with me some of the studies that have been done that might change your opinion if you are still “on the fence” about the importance of regular church attendance and membership. 

Today in America only 25-40% of Americans attend church, and that amount is getting less. While 82% of Americans list “good family life” as their number one wish, obviously few see the connection between their families regularly attending a good church, as help in reaching that goal.

When investigating the practices of successful families in USA, Germany, Austria, South America and South Africa, they discovered that “Their philosophy of life or religion was a major resource; they had a high degree of religious orientation. Most belonged to an organized church.  These families considered themselves highly committed to spiritual values.”  

What these studies revealed about Evangelical churches like Gateway was particularly revealing:

-89% of Evangelical Clergy and Christians, believe divorce should be avoided at all times, except in rare circumstances. Contrast that with 40% of non-evangelicals and 57% clergy.

-75% of Evangelicals attend church weekly, compared to 26%.

In other words, the high value of saving a marriage is directly related to church attendance and involvement in a Bible-believing, Evangelical church. 

These kinds of studies have been done since 1939.  In his book, “Functioning Families” Dr. B. Schlesinger, shows that “Strong support by Judeo-Christian religious precepts in a family included the abilities to: 

1) Be committed to each other. 

2) Show respect for each other.

3) Emotionally support each other. 

4) Enjoy each other.

5) Communicate effectively with each other.

6) Create a well-defined power structure that is flexible, and “has the father as the most frequent leader”.

7) Deal with crises effectively in a positive manner.

Listen, that list supports all we have said in this series.  When spouses from long lasting & happy marriages were asked, “What would be your prescription for a happy marriage?”  Wives ranked the “importance of religion” as the highest factor! The general public marked it 6th!  Where do YOU rank it?

Listen to this study relating church to health issues: “Using an index or religiousness that included church attendance and importance in a family, “The less religious had mortality levels twice that of those more religious. Both married and religious people were found to have significantly lower death rates than non-married & non-religious. Those who had mental illness less frequently were associated with a church & attended regularly”

No wonder the Paul connected the Christ & the Church to husbands, wives and marriage. Ephesians 5:25-27  “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.”  (MES) “Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving not getting. Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her,”  

Ladies, to all you can to get your husbands to church every week.  It will make a difference in your marriage & family.  Men, your family needs you!   Rise up, love and lead them as Christ does the church. 

How true are the words of I Sam. 2:30 -“Therefore the Lord God of Israel declares, ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father should walk before Me forever’ for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me will be lightly esteemed.”

Let me conclude this series on a high note of hope. These studies showed the results related to a high commitment to spiritual values. Look at them:

1) These families saw God as the “source of strength” for individuals, as well as the family as a whole.

In what, or in who are you trusting today as your source of strength, wisdom, hopes for success in your family?

2) They felt God has a purpose in their lives and families.

Do you and your family sense God’s special purpose for each member and the family as a whole?  Do you all know your gifts and abilities? Are you developing them in your home and church?

3) They had an awareness of God in “day to day” living.

Do you recognize God’s hand at work in “everything” that happens in your life, marriage, family, ministry, job, school?

4) Their faith was “personal, practical, day to day,” rather than theoretical and hypocritical.   What is your faith like?

Here is the bottom line to success in everything, including family and marriage.  It’s the difference between churchianity and Christianity; religion and reality; a phony or a true Christ- follower. 

It’s the “18-inch difference” in your life and mine, or can be!  What is in our minds about God must get into our hearts.  That’s what happens when we are “born-again” by the Holy Spirit.  A new life begins from the “inside out.”

When you know and live for God, He’s on your side when Satan tries to attack and destroy your family & marriage.  Remember Job, (1:5-10), “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless & upright man, fearing God & turning away from evil. Then Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? “Have You not made a hedge about him & his house & all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, & his possessions have increased.”

That’s what I want, “Delight”, not “Desperation!”    Do you?              

Dr. Richard Larner wisely said, “The family you come from isn’t as important as the family you’re going to have.”   Take your stand today with Joshua, “Choose this day whom you will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!” 

MAKE THE CHOICE TODAY! Avoid ever becoming a “Desperate Family!”

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