That's what I'd like to say.
(I need more grace and love in my heart!)
When I complained to my husband about the nine-monthers (those who attend church only during the school year so their children can attend Sunday school) and sporadic church attendance, he emailed me this article by John Newton, an eighteenth century British pastor and author of the hymn "Amazing Grace", who wrote this lovely, grace-filled letter to his congregation regarding their attendance:
“The only cause of grief that you have given me is that so many of those to whom I earnestly desire to be useful refuse me the pleasure of seeing them at church every Sunday. I’m not troubled because the pews are empty. If a large congregation could satisfy me, then I would already be satisfied (the pews are full). But I must grieve because I see so few of my own parishioners in the full pews. God has not been pleased to place me elsewhere, he saw fit to fix me among you. This appointment gives you a preference in my regard and it makes me studiously attentive to promote your best welfare.”
“If I am a servant of God, a minister of the Lord Jesus Christ, if I speak the truth in love – how can I not be pained at the thought that many to whom the word of salvation is sent refuse to hear it and reject the counsel of God against themselves (Acts 13:26, Luke 7:30)! Most of you agree with me that Scripture is God’s revelation. But do not some of you act inconsistently with your acknowledged principles? Your business and entertainment indispose you for due observation of our church services. You have other things to do, so you miss many sermons.”
“I have done my best to avoid whatever might give you needless offense. I knew that if I would be faithful to Scripture and my conscience, that some of my hearers would be displeased. But, though I was constrained to risk your displeasure, I have been careful not to needlessly provoke you, or to lay any unnecessary difficulties in your way.”
So that I may not weary my hearers by the length of my sermons, I carefully endeavor not to exceed forty-five minutes. Many people can give their attention to trivial entertainment for several hours without weariness, but their patience is quickly exhausted under a sermon where the principles of Scripture are applied to the conscience.”
“I am not a polished orator nor do I wish to capture your attention by the elegance of my words. If I had the ability to use elegant words and capture your attention with them, I would not do it. I speak to the unlearned and the wise, so my principal aim is to be understood. Yet I hope that I am not wrongly charged with speaking nonsense, with flippancy, carelessness, or disrespect. But alas! There are too many hearers who seem more desirous of entertainment than of real benefit from a Christian sermon!”
“My heart longs for your salvation; but whether you will hear or whether you will not, I must take your consciences to witness that I have been faithful to you. If after this warning any of you should finally perish, I am innocent of your blood (Acts 20:26).”
“You know the difficulty of my situation and will assist me with your prayers. I trust likewise you will assist me with your conduct, and that your lives and godly speech will constrain the ungodly to acknowledge that the doctrines of grace which I preach – when rightly understood and embraced – make a person peaceful, content, loving, and full of humility.”
How beautiful.
How loving.
How gracious.
Posts
