New Leaves

The beginning of a New Year is a traditional time for turning over a new leaf. And somewhere on the list of most popular New Years Resolutions, well below losing weight, getting in shape, quitting smoking and being more responsible about money, you’ll find “Attend Church More Frequently.”

There are all sorts of good reasons for NOT attending church. It feels good to sleep late on Sunday morning, to linger over coffee with the Sunday paper, or just to spend a little more time at home with the family. And besides, who needs to sing hymns or listen to a sermon when you can always feel inspired by reading poetry, or taking a long walk through the woods?

But notwithstanding all of these excellent excuses, here are five good reasons for attending church more regularly BESIDES listening to a sermon...

1) It’s a great opportunity to catch up with your friends. Sure, there’s always the transfer station. But how much time do you really want to spend socializing with your “neighbors and fellow creatures” while sorting through your garbage? Church is warm, dry, and out of the weather. Plus it smells better....

2) It’s a great opportunity to let your friends catch up with you. Authentic Community is a two-way street. It’s about mutual give and take. To have a friend you need to be a friend, and do unto others as you would have others do unto you. What better place to practice these important principles, if not at church?

3) It sets a good example for your children. And your spouse. Church is traditionally one of civilization’s most family-friendly activities. Don’t let coming to church compete with quality family time. MAKE it quality family time!

4) There’s free food. OK, maybe if losing weight is also one of your New Year’s Resolutions, this isn’t the most persuasive reason for attending church. But for what it’s worth, there’s free food.

5) It is a perfect, unquestionably socially-acceptable excuse for spending a little quality time “alone in the company of the solitude of your own thought.” Just because someone is preaching a sermon doesn’t mean you actually have to listen. Some of the most inspiring worship services I have ever attended were in churches where I couldn’t even understand the language of the sermon, much less the message. Daydreaming in church is not only acceptable, it is a time-honored tradition both universally tolerated and widely encouraged (provided, of course, that you don’t draw too much attention to the fact by disturbing the other daydreamers).

Most folks come to church already knowing the sermon they need to hear that day. Being in church simply gives you a chance to listen to the wisdom of your own thoughts. You can always go back and read the text of my sermon on-line later if you’re so inclined. That's why I post them on the website. There are lots of churches where I doubt anyone would attend regularly if they actually paid close attention to what the preacher was saying. Why should a UU church be any different?

In her novel The Color Purple, Alice Walker has one of her characters say: “Be honest, have you ever found God in church? I haven’t. I have only found a bunch of people hoping He would show himself to them. The only God I have ever felt in church I had brought along myself. I think other people do the same. The come to church to share God, not to find Him....”

I’ll confess, as a preacher I like it when you come to church. When you’re not there on Sunday morning, I miss you. And so does everyone else. It’s really just as simple as that. Most of the time I’m too shy (or too polite) to call you up and ask you where you’ve been. And I certainly don’t mean to embarrass anyone, or put you on the spot. But don’t kid yourself. When you aren’t in your seat on Sunday morning, people notice. And we’re sad....

So do yourself and all your friends a favor, and resolve to come to church more regularly in 2007. You’ll be happier for it. And so will all of us. You can read poetry or walk in the woods any old time. But Sunday Morning only happens once a week.

See you in church.....