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Every Sunday I preach at our Michigan churches, I meet people who tell me this is their first time back in person in years. When I ask why, I’m struck how often they say that my visit caused the church to have a special coffee hour, which in turn caused someone to ask them to bring cookies. They didn’t come because they needed to see the Conference Minister. They came because the church needed the cookies.
I do not think people return to in-person worship in order to eat treats, but they may well return in order to deliver them. It’s easier to receive a call asking you to bring brownies than it is to get one asking why you haven’t been coming to church. The first call is an invitation while the second can sound like an act of desperation, or at worst, an accusation.
“Where have you been? We’ve missed you,”
sounds too much like “Where have you been? Shame on you.”
Online worship is real worship and nothing to be ashamed of. People have complicated reasons for not going places in person, including health, so who are we to judge? The Michigan Conference is hosting a webinar on understanding how such anxiety affects institutions like the church. When the original reason is no longer the reason, and not attending has become the new norm, it can feel scary to return.
“Will people ask me where I’ve been?
Will I have to defend myself?
Will they ask me to join a committee?”
Less threatening to imagine walking in the door to hear,
“Thanks, those brownies look delicious.”
Sometimes it takes a special occasion to break the habit of being out of the habit of coming to church. So if you have one, celebrate it, and if you don’t, make one up. Every Sunday is a little Easter. But don’t just invite people to attend, like guests. Invite them to contribute, like the helpers and hosts they remember being, and may long to be again.
As for those who respond that they will be with you in Spirit and online, hold that gift tenderly and say thank you. There are so many ways to participate in church life, as the last few years have taught us. In the Michigan Conference, our most vital churches are the ones that provide multiple ways to contribute, and are not afraid to ask.
In that spirit, I ask for your prayers and continued support as I travel the Michigan Conference, listening for the Holy Spirit to equip, encourage and celebrate all that God is doing through our remarkable churches. I thank you for generously setting aside a percentage of your budget to support the ministry we share beyond the walls of any one church. And of course, I thank you for the cookies, white chocolate chip and toffee being my favorite.
Feel free to use or share this message with credit to the Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel
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