I read a recent article called "When a church itself needs saving." I found it interesting because my family's church is one of those. Fewer people come to church than when we joined four years ago. Everyone wonders, "Why?" The article said, "Churches are too focused on how many people are sitting in the pews and not enough on who's outside their doors." I couldn't agree more.
As a teenager, I have always felt church is a safe place. Lately, this feeling has floated away. People seemed focused on "filling the pews" just to raise money. It's logical the church needs money to operate. However, as Christians, we are first called to reach out those in need.
So, I wonder, "How can I help make church a safe place again?" I could start by asking my friends to come skiing with our youth group. Maybe we could later serve at the soup kitchen. Perhaps then, they would feel welcome to attend services. Maybe we would inspire others in our congregation to join us. Perhaps the key to keeping our church's doors open is to give freely so that others will feel free to give as they receive.
Isaac Jacobson
Junior
Pillager High School
