Newsletter  June 21st

GREETINGS FROM BARBEE’S GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

Most of you have seen  the word “Shrinkflation”. It is the corporate world’s attempt to fool customers and to raise prices in a subtle way. They hope the customer never notices. For those of you who are not aware of the term, or the practice, it goes like this:
   …You buy your usual box of cookies. The price is unchanged, however, when you get home and compare, you realize that your old box had 18 cookies. The new box only has 16 cookies. You are getting less for the same price.
   …Similarly, the new bottle of dishwashing liquid only has 15 ounces. The old bottle had 18 ounces.
Product after product has seen this pattern in recent years. Unsuspecting customers think they are paying for the same amount when actually they are getting less.

It is okay if you think I am “strange”, but lately I have been thinking of the “Shrinkflation” I have seen in American Christianity in the last 75 years. Many Christians think they are just as committed to Jesus Christ and His Church as were their grandparents. Is it true??? Consider:
   …75 years ago, many church members strived to have perfect attendance every year. Unless job requirements or major illness happened , 47 Sundays a year was considered faithful attendance. 2 Sundays for vacation, 2 for sickness, and 1 for a family reunion, were normal. Every other Sunday folks sat in their regular pew. Today, anyone who attends 25-30 Sundays a year is considered as a faithful member.
   …When I was a child, most churches had 2 Revivals each year. Both of those meetings lasted 2 weeks.  By the time I became a Pastor, Revivals were down to 1 week. Now we have 3 or 4 days, or 1 Sunday, or 4 Sundays in a row with different preachers.
   …Anyone besides me remember when churches set aside 3 other special weeks ? Early in the year was the January Bible Study. Spring brought the Home Mission Study. Late Fall saw churches have a Foreign Mission Study. When was the last time you heard of that happening?
   …What happened to Discipleship Training and weekly Sunday night services?
   …Remember Mission Friends, GAs, RAs, and Acteens? Remember the competition for the Junior Memory Work Tournament, the Intermediate Sword Drill, and the Youth Speakers Tournament? How many churches still have these?
   …When was the last time you heard of a church having Vacation Bible School for 3 hours a day for 2 weeks?
   …Any churches still prepare for their Revivals by having several nights of “Cottage Prayer Meetings” in the homes of church members?

Pardon an “Old Man’s” longing for the “Good Old Days”. But they really were the “Good Old Days”. Jesus, and His Church were much more the center of the life of most Christians back then, than they are today. As a result, the outcome of those years was far more productive and God-honoring.
   …Salvations were more numerous
   …Genuine tears of repentance and backsliders returning to the Lord often were seen at the altars
   …Church buildings were full at Sunday Services
   …In church after church, young men regularly responded to God’s call to serve  in the Gospel Ministry
   …The Church had a positive “Salt and Light” effect on the lifestyles, morals, and practices of the community. Today, the Church is often ignored, and is a frequent object of ridicule.

I submit that in the last 75 years, the Church in general has seen a major disastrous Shrinkflation. Less hours to hear God’s Word preached and taught [plus] Less hours developing young Christians [plus] Less hours of prayer [equals] a sadly declining Church. I could despair. That is what the devil wants. However, I cling to the promise of my Lord Jesus [Matthew 16:18] “Upon this rock I will build MY Church and the Gates of Hell will not prevail against it”.  I don’t know when the next great move of God is coming. But I do believe that before the Rapture of the Church, we will see Jesus glorified once again as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I stand on His promise. 

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church are at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study are Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL—June 26,27

Today I ask myself the question—What is my level of commitment to my Lord?? What is your level?

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church