Trinity Lutheran Church - Town of Wilson

Apathy - or Activity ? ? ?

Posted by on 21 May 2009 | 0 Comments

Apathy – the feeling of indifference – is around and flourishing.  Throughout society, people do not want to become involved because it might require more than they want to give.  For that reason, people sit back and allow things to continue as they are.

 

It is only a matter of time before these feelings find their want into the church – and our congregations are no different.  There are those within each congregation who do not want to get involved, but think they are safe and will make it to heaven just by having their names on the church roles.  Therefore, very seldom, if ever, will you see these people in church or Bible Class.

 

Because of apathy, people do not know fully what is happening.  Instead they hear about something that happened at church, and they spread it on like wildfire.  In their apathy, they would rather take things as they hear them rather than talking to the person involved or coming to find out what is happening.  So they continue to sit at home and sulk rather than coming and digging into God’s Word and thereby finding out what His will is for our lives.

 

How upsetting and frustrating this is.  Why?  Things do not happen when people are apathetic or exclude themselves.  Things happen, we become a stronger church as we rely on God and study His Word – for it is only through God’s Word that we know the truth which sets us free.

 

One I read a poem that spoke about apathy.  The Man in the Pew was written by John A. Mueller and goes as follows:

He was there ev’ry Sunday,

      That man in the pew,

Not just in fair weather,

      But foul weather too.

He would sing ev’ry hymn verse,

      He followed each prayer,

He heard ev’ry message,

      He listened with care.

But – this is the sad truth of

      That man in the pew,

While ready to “listen”,

      He would never “do”.

His excuses were plenty,

      His talents so few,

There was nothing that God

      Should ask him to do.

He attended no meetings,

      No time had to spare

With souls much benighted

      His Savior to share.

Like few of his brothers

      He was quite content,

To let George do the work

      While his way he went.

He was first to berate men

      Who served with real zest.

They were running the church,

      Just a clique at best.

He was the last to agree with

      All plans to expand.

It costs too much money;

      Let’s keep it on hand.

That’s the story, good friend, of

      That man in the pew,

But don’t look around now

       – it might have been you.

 

May we not be a church filled with men and women in the pews, but an active and involved church for the extension of God’s kingdom here and throughout the world.  May we become a stronger church this summer as we read and listen to God’s Word – that is the only way we know the truth which sets us free.

 

Having received power through that Word, may we use the opportunities God has given to His praise and glory.

 

In Christ’s service,

Pastor Jabs