Why would a church leadership introduce something that would inevitably lead to division and loss? My dear friends just endured just such a move. Their church leaders, because of two potential candidates for pastor who have been divorced and remarried, introduced a constitutional change allowing divorced and remarried men to be pastors or deacons in the church.
It was a sure loss situation. If the measure was defeated they would lose offended divorced and remarried people and some of the leadership. If the measure passed, they would lose those who are uncomfortable with divorce and remarriage in pastoral and deacon leadership.
It passed, but with less than eighty percent of the vote. Should they be happy to lose 20% of their church? Will they be able to attract one of the two candidates that they had in mind when they made this change? It remains to be seen.
Another thing...
Why are some people more conscientious about their participation in almost anything than they are about their attendance at church? I'm not even thinking about work, which might create some serious conflicts with attendance at some services.
I have long observed that some members will regularly attend only one service a week - and even that might be undependable. But they will be very devoted to showing up for their (enter the sport of choice here) practices and games every week. They often give more time to that game (or other hobby) than to church and they certainly are more faithful and regular there.
What gives?
Clearly they have more delight in these other things than they have in participating in the worship of God and the fellowship of the saints. I think this is a symptom of spiritual weakness. People are controlled by the frivolous passions of this world, rather than by a love for the eternal God.
(Acts 2:42 NKJV) And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
(Deuteronomy 6:5 NKJV) You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
Probably their lack of interest is because they are not truly believers but only professing Christians. They attend from time to time out of belief this is expected or that this is required or that by doing so they will please God and and earn a place in heaven.
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