Over the holidays and particularly on Christmas Eve many mainline churches experienced a surge of worshippers who brought their kids and sang the carols. This is a fairly common phenomena across North America and Europe, although surveys and statistics tell us that the percentage of people engaging in even that level of worship attendance is declining. While we all hope that these occasions are opportunities for welcome and evangelism in a society hungering for spiritual meaning my own experience is that they don't translate into increased Sunday-to-Sunday attendance in the New Year. Actually the statistics show that many mainline/old-line members see themselves as part of congregations they frequent only occasionally. Part of the reason may be that we Sundays are no longer days of rest and spiritual renewal for many. Sports, shopping, employment are all accepted as Sunday activities now. Who has time for church or old-fashioned notions of Sabbath-keeping?
I am intrigued by a new book by a physician, Dr. Matthew Sleeth, called 24/6: A Prescription for a Healthier, Happier Life. It is a play on the expression 24/7 which describes constant availability and attention to tasks. Sleeth is a good writer who cares deeply about his faith, and the environment, and the biblical injunction to "cease and desist" for a day each week. When we choose to gather for worship and humbly accept that we aren't as important as we think we are we are getting right with God and ourselves. One reviewer offers this assessment of Sleeth's book:
One of the things I most enjoyed about this book was the unique perspective Dr. Sleeth brings to the topic from his experience as a former emergency room physician and hospital chief of staff. The book is filled with stories from his days in the ER—some heartwarming, many cringe-worthy—all of which function as modern-day parables about the value of rest.
“Rest shows us who God is. He has restraint. Restraint is restraining from doing everything that one has the power to do. We must never mistake God’s restraint for weakness. The opposite is true. God shows restraint; therefore, restraint is holy.” (p. 33).
An admission here: I am writing this on Sunday morning, before I lead worship, so what do I know about Sabbath-keeping!
What are your thoughts about 24/6 rather than 24/7? How do you do in that regard? Is it still important to be Sabbath people in the 21st century?
I like the 24/6 image of life and although Sunday's aren't necessarily days of complete restraint and quiet, we have resisted any programming for the kids that take place on Sundays and keeps them from church life.
ReplyDeleteI like the thought of rest as being a strength, not a weakness and the truth that God does not expect us to do everything we have the power to do, when it fills every moment of everyday (but does expect/hope we will rest and find Him in that rest)
I find in today's society I am so tired of listening to
people's crazy-busy monologues about their lives, as
if as you say, to ensure their own importance.
So again this year, balance is a goal....but now I gotta run.......
Hi Lion Lamb! One of your long-time readers has finally got brave enough to post a comment.
ReplyDeleteI really, really need to read this book, especially after missing church this Sunday due to work commitments!
I agree with Laura that we need to be deliberate in our decisions if we are to prevent Sundays from becoming just another day full of activities, email, and shopping.
Thank you both, and Laura for re-emphasizing Sabbath time as strength rather than weakness.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that you have figured out how to respond DLJ-A -- it is like a rite of initiation. A study group on a book such as this might be a good idea.