Greetings from the Moderator                                                    MAY 2024

Continuing the discussion of giving the Good News to the non-believers and the unchurched I have been having conversations with people in the Pew Research age brackets. It is of course totally unscientific as I don’t approach strangers on the topic.

I have found Pew was amazingly accurate during my discussions. I happened upon one this past weekend. It was family: Nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and in-laws. It was at a family gathering for Doug’s family. They are large and fun.

The discussion started when one of our nieces reported she was going to church/worship regularly. She named the non-denominational church, but I do not recall it. She indicated her sister and two of her children were going to. Her sister spoke up and said she would like to try her cousin’s church. Which is (drum roll please) XXXXXXXX Presbyterian church in Jacksonville. Also involved in the discussion was a nephew who is in the None of the Above category. He asked some questions like < “How does the worship change your life” and what is the worship like” The discussion what lively, respectful, and loving, but then that is Doug’s family.

My take aways are: The worship is convenient at eh non-denominational church, they sing six “songs” in each service, and they are fun. She feels good for worshipping and prays now.

The current Presbyterian family members are parents of a teen and a ‘tween and therefore do work at the church. They joined the Church by Profession of Faith They like the Order of Worship they like and learn from The Word given by the Pastor, and they pray now too.

The Nephew remains a kind and good man. A model for behavior on how to treat other people but sees no deity existing in this universe.

Where does this survey of a few plus the other discussion I have had in the last few months lead? We must be convenient. While the Sabbath is the Sabbath can we organize worship at different times and days?

Right now, we all but hang out a sign” Y’all Come” but we want non-believers and barely believes to fit into the existing organized religion.

Many of our churches do not have the time or money to organize multiple services. Is there a way we can pool our resources to organize the non-traditional time services? Just some ideas we can consider on how to introduce the Good News to folks who are unchurched.

Blessings,
John

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Ruling Elder John Rogers