Why is it a bad thing that attendance in many churches is decreasing instead of increasing? The answer is very simple: We have raised and now are seeing the results of at least two and three generations of people who have not heard the Word of God.
They have heard the name of God used in cursing. Our children have heard and use the name of Jesus, not in praise or adoration, but in context of hurting someone with their words.
Words are powerful -- they can be sharper than any two-edged sword! Actually, that description is used in Hebrews about the power of the Word of God, because the Words in the Bible bring us to the reality of who we are and who God is. The Word of God holds the truth needed to find forgiveness, salvation and understanding about who Jesus is as the Savior of the world.
I remember as a younger (I still feel young most days) woman of God when I worked with children and young teens. I would go to the not-so-nice places in our community, taking the Word of God with me, and share with children and young people the good news of Jesus. My pastor encouraged me along with a warning to be careful.
When he asked what was fueling my passion for these kids that no one else wanted to work with, I remember telling him, "Someone's got to tell them that damnit is not God's last name!"
That passion is still deeply seated in my heart. If only people could know the mercy, love, forgiveness and truth that is available to them from their Creator, who loves them.
There are a wonderful couple of verses in the powerful letter to the Romans, chapter 10: 14, 15. It says, "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'"
Jesus gave that mandate to the original 12 and the churches they planted, and that mandate to tell the good news of salvation in Jesus' name to all people and nations still stands today. We are doing a great injustice by not telling our children or grandchildren about Christ. How can we reach out to these lost generations in our own country and community? Pastors seek the answer to that every single day.
One group that continues to faithfully spread the Word of God around the globe is Gideons. In 2013, Gideons distributed over 84 million Scriptures in more than 95 languages throughout the world. They put them in hotel rooms, hospitals, doctor's offices, prisons, universities and many more places. In 40 of the 195 countries where Gideons is organized, the yearly income per person is $2,500 or less. These people may never own, or even see, a copy of God's Word without help. If you want to know more about Gideons, you can go to www.gideons.org.
The Word of God always has been and always will be the standard of truth for all people. Never forget the power of the Word of God; seeds planted today will grow and bring a fruitful transformation in God's perfect timing.
May you allow the Word of God and the good news of Jesus to be poured into yours and your family's lives. Only then will the good news transformation begin! Take your family to church and listen to the powerful Word of God! If you have a Bible at home, open it up and read it. I recommend beginning with the Gospel of John in the New Testament.
Pray hard and keep the faith.
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Metcalf is pastor of Forest Hills Church, an American Baptist congregation. Email her at [email protected]. The opinions expressed in this column don't necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper.
Religion on 04/09/2014