I’m Sorry, But I Cannot Agree With That (pt 1)

There is a real issue with Christians today that has been a burden of my heart for some time now as a Youth Pastor. The issue is people who are involved in a church growing up that choose not to stay involved in church once they graduate High School. There are several books written on this, seminars focused on this, and many websites developed to target this. I have already written a blog where I address what I feel is the main factor in all this that we are missing: “Are We Overlooking The Key Ingredient”

This is the first of three blogs I want to use to argue against some of the excuses I hear from people when I talk with them. What’s my purpose for this? 1: If you’re in this category, my hope is that you would read this and give some careful thought to your thinking. 2: If you’re not in this category, my hope is that you would read this and maybe add some “ammo” to your conversations with people in this group.

PART 1: SUITS, ORGANS, & DRESS CODE

1: SUITS
I have talked with several people (mostly guys) who say they have a hard time going to church because the guy preaching is wearing a suit. I am sorry, but I cannot agree with that! For two different reasons. One, the same people who say they can’t go to church because the guy is wearing a suit are the same people who also watch Sports Center, Dave Letterman, Jay Leno, CNN, etc. And what do all these shows have in common? EVERYONE speaking is wearing a suit! Don’t tell me you don’t go to church because the pastor wears a suit and go home to watch the NFL draft because EVERY ONE of those guys are wearing suits. The second reason this is a bogus statement is because there are PLENTY of churches today where the pastor never wears a suit to preach in. What’s your reason for not going to one of those churches?

2: ORGANS
I have actually had people tell me they don’t go to church because they use organs. Again, I am sorry, but I cannot agree with that! Once again for two reasons. Number one, ever go to a baseball game? And the primary instrument used in a baseball game over and over is? That would be “What is an organ” for 200 please Alex. YES! I have NEVER seen someone get up and leave a baseball game because they started using an organ. And I’ve been to a lot of baseball games in my time. Another reason this has no footing is, how many churches still use an organ today? Yes, there are several churches who still use an organ. BUT that number is declining every month. There are so many churches today that don’t have organs and orchestras, so what’s your reason for not going to one of those?

3: DRESS CODE
I invited a couple one time to come with me to Lakeview that had grown disconnected with the local church. They said they couldn’t come because they wanted to go somewhere that the guy didn’t have to wear a tie. And your point is? I’m sorry, but I cannot agree with that! Seriously, in my church alone there are about 1,000 people in worship every Sunday. Good luck finding 12 dudes in ties in the audience! INCLUDING us Pastors. Yes, I agree, there are still some churches that have an unwritten law about the appropriate dress code for coming to church. But let’s be honest, most churches dropped a dress code a long time ago. Well.. hopefully we all kept modesty in there since it IS in the Bible! But that’s not what we’re talking about. So, I get it. Some churches make you feel like you didn’t come dressed to worship. But those churches are the minority these days. So what about all the churches that don’t have that mind set? What’s your reason for not going to those?

So here’s the point… You can come up with any excuse you want. But in the end, the truth is you have just decided NOT to obey God’s Word. It’s as simple as that. If there are clear commands in the Bible for us as Christians to be involved in a local church (And there are. Read my other blog), then give any reason you want. It will have no footing to stand on. And I’m sorry, but I cannot agree with any of them.