One of the things I put together for congregational meetings is a summary of attendance and giving. If you’ve been to a congregational meeting you’ve seen my slide. I often joke with those close that the reason I do it is that I need more reasons to be depressed. Although that failed when I put it together for our June meeting. All the numbers were up. I could tell a glory story.
But that leads to some of the real reasons. I’d like to tell a glory story, but the glory story only belongs to Christ. As Paul wrote, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. (1 Cor. 3:6-7)” If the numbers are good, praise be to Christ who has blessed us. When things are good, thanksgiving is always a good response.
Another reason I put together such numbers is to give a moment for contemplation if they are bad. Call it a first use of the law – the curb – reason. I’d rather hit a curb than a wall. And the longer you put off some contemplations the taller the curb gets. Looking at numbers at least twice a year is the opportunity to ask “has something changed that needs repentance?” Repentance is always an appropriate response of faith.
But even if the top line numbers are down, that might be hiding a different type of growth. A growth that is not easy to measure or put a number on. Part of that contemplation is thinking about ways that we might have experienced Spiritual growth. Spiritual growth often comes about through a season of pruning (John 15:2). We tend to equate Spiritual growth with mountain top experiences. But you got to the mountain through the pain of climbing. The path Jesus often wants us to walk in through the valley to the cross (Luke 9:51). In this world the saving story is not the glory story, but the story of the cross. Adam’s curse was that all growth would come through hardship (Genesis 3:19). The world does not recognize God on the cross, but to we who believe this is the power and wisdom of God (1 Corinthian 1:24).
Which I suppose leads to the final reason which is part of our Epistle lesson this week. “Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” That reason is encouragement. We are united in our belief. We have been united in our baptisms. We are united around the body and blood of Christ. This is our confession. These are the promises of Christ. That wherever two or three are so gathered, there Christ will be. He promised to be present in Word and Sacrament. You might meet him elsewhere. We can’t bind God. But He has bound Himself there. And He is faithful to his promises. Do not neglect the gathering. Don’t let it become a habit. We so easily fall into bad habits. But take encouragement, for the Day is certainly drawing near. And taking encouragement, a renewing of faith in the one who is faithful, is the necessary response.