Why being present matters...

“When Jesus looked out and saw that a large crowd had arrived, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread to feed these people?” He said this to stretch Philip’s faith. He already knew what he was going to do. One of the disciples—it was Andrew, brother to Simon Peter—said, “There’s a little boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But that’s a drop in the bucket for a crowd like this.” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” There was a nice carpet of green grass in this place. They sat down, about five thousand of them. Then Jesus took the bread and, having given thanks, gave it to those who were seated. He did the same with the fish. All ate as much as they wanted.” ‭‭John‬ ‭6:5-6, 8-11‬ ‭MSG‬‬

As a child I remember my Grandma describing a church family by saying, “They are there every time the doors are open.” She meant it as a compliment, implying that attending made them good people, maybe better than those who did not. 

The same statement was made by one of my children’s friends, We are there every time the doors are open,” but this time it was a complaint. 

Does church attendance, particularly the social, missionaries, outreach events make us better people? Woody Allen is quoted as saying “Seventy percent of life is about showing up.”  What happens when we show up?

1. When we show up we show up we learn something. A former secretary once told me as I left for yet another business training, “You will learn something, even if all you learn is how to sit still and behave graciously while bored.” Sarcasm aside, there is something to be said about not always being happy and entertained where you are. It is a growing edge for all of us. How many times have you gone somewhere and realized after the time had passed you were better for being there. What a nice surprise when it was somewhere you didn’t want to go. 

2. People’s lives are enhanced by your presence. Even when you don’t need people, people need you. In the history of the American church, people knew where to go when they were lonely, hungry, broken. The church was the proverbial lighthouse for those struggling in deep water. If we aren’t there to shine the light, help bring them to shore and care for them, as they gain their land legs, the lighthouse is of no value. Once when beginning a new church service in a new format, many at the church became concerned that they would “lose” people from the current service. “Can’t we just have a service for ‘those’ people without losing ‘our’ people?” One young man said this, “If no one is there to greet them when ‘those’ people come, how will ‘those’ people ever become ‘our ‘people?”

3. We are a body. Ultimate fitness requires that a body has all (or most) of its parts working. Recently, I began regularly attending exercise class. I am discovering body parts that have been allowed to go dormant. Activating those parts, while uncomfortable in the process, has made me stronger and more able and effective. The same idea works for the church. Even if we feel like what we do, what we can offer, doesn’t matter, it does. Your mere presence is often what is needed to complete the working body. 

Yes, a vital church has many, many, many offerings for fellowship, reaching beyond the walls to others and serving others. Sometimes it seems like there is so much to attend. Please don’t plan to attend. Plan to be present. Be available to others. Don’t go with the agenda to be fed. Go fully prepared to show up and share. Like the little boy, offer what you have. God will take the few fish and meager loaves we offer and spiritually feed how ever many take the time to sit down. It is in that action of the Divine that all that are preasent are fed; even you. 

Take time to look at your church newsletter and calendar to see where and when you can be present.