January 2, 2022

A New Year = A New Direction

Until 1725 those in the American colonies observed March 25 as ‘New Years Day.’ March 25 was for centuries regarded as the day Gabriel spoke to Mary regarding the birth of Jesus.

Custom now dictates that we observe January 1, 2022 as ‘New Years Day.’ After the rush and hurry of Christmas New Years Day offers a chance to take a moment and pause before we dive back in to the regular routines of daily living.

There is only one real question to ask as we begin a new year. It has nothing to do with weight loss or financial health. The question: What are we doing here?

Some would say

We are here to worship; or

We are here to study God’s Word and learn and grow; or

We are here because we need one another; or

some combination of all those statements.

One paragraph I read several years ago continues to challenge me:

Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man.

When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever.

PIPER, JOHN. Let the Nations be Glad (p. 15). IVP. Kindle Edition.

Why are we here?

We are here - not just on Sunday or other days of ‘churchy’ stuff - to worship.

IF worship is ultimate, if God is ultimate, then why is our building not filled to overflowing? Why are the other churches not overflowing?

Later in the same book John Piper writes,

The goal of missions is the gladness of the peoples in the greatness of God. “The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!” (Ps. 97:1). “Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy!” (Ps. 67:3–4).

PIPER, JOHN. Let the Nations be Glad (pp. 35-36). IVP. Kindle Edition.

I’d like to outline an answer to the question that can guide us as we move into a new year.

First, let’s look backwards. Since March of 2020 church attendance across the US has dwindled. Since March 2020 the number of people attending our church has fallen by about 2/3’rds. We are not alone. Most of the churches in our community are in the same circumstance.

Not only has attendance at Sunday morning worship dwindled, attendance at most other activities has dwindled as well.