Going home. This is something that many of us do at the end of the day. After a day of work or school, we head back to a place that represents (at least a portion of) our identity and is occupied by those with whom we have our closest connections (family).
But for some, one day, they simply do not come home. I am referring to those who have, left their home through neglect or rebellion. I am thinking of the spouse who leaves their family in the sinful pursuit of an affair, or a prodigal child who runs off with their inheritance even while their parents are still living. When someone leaves like this, we often wonder … can they EVER go home? I mean, what happens if they (like the prodigal son of Luke 15) “come to their senses” and want to return … will there be a home that has left a light on for them?
And what if the “home” is the church? What about those who were once active participants in a local church, but who no longer attend? Can they ever come home? According to recent Gallup surveys, 40 million Americans currently USED to attend church, but no longer do … a whopping 16% of the population. According to the book “The Great DeChurching,” this exodus has contributed to our current era where American NON-CHURCH ATTENDERS outnumber church attenders.
Why did they leave? For many reasons. Some have been hurt deeply by those inside the church and have left due to lack of trust or self-protection. Others have left to pursue a lifestyle that Scripture condemns – leaving the church to live a different way. Still others, however, have not left because of hurt or rebellion … they simply drifted away.
Some who drifted away have prioritized weekend events for themselves or their children over regular church attendance. Others moved to a new town and never restarted attending church … maybe watching a livestream or listening to a podcast on occasion, but not re-engaging in rhythm relationally and in person with a local church. Still others went to their residences during the pandemic and never came back. These drifters did not leave angry, like the frog in the kettle, they simply looked up one day and it had been years since they were a part of a church.
If there are 40 million of these de-churched Americans in our country, my guess is there are at least several thousand in Cleveland County. If this describes you, let me personally invite you to join me at Wildwood Community Church this Sunday morning as we kick off a new sermon series called “roundtrip.”
Who says you can’t go home again? Not God! He has left a light on for us! In fact, about 400 years before the birth of Jesus, God’s people found themselves far from home. Like the prodigal son, a disobedient Israel found themselves in exile in a foreign land. But God, in His mercy, purchased them a return trip to their homeland. The story of the final leg of this roundtrip is told in the Old Testament books of Ezra, Haggai, and Nehemiah. Over 4 weeks in July, we will look to this historical account to see if there is hope for people today who may have grown up in the church, but now have found themselves far from the faith of their “home.”
God has left His light on for you … He has purchased your ticket home … will you make your journey roundtrip?
AND (and this is really important) – this series will help you begin to follow Jesus, even if this is the beginning of your relationship with Christ, not a return to it.
We all know someone for whom this series would be a benefit, so invite them to join us THIS WEEKEND at Wildwood (July 7) in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 service as we kick off this series looking at one of the most often quoted verses in the Old Testament – Jeremiah 29:11. See you then!!!
NOTE: This Sunday is an ALL IN Sunday at Wildwood … so, no adult, student, or children classes meeting, but all will meet together in the worship services this weekend. All classes return the following weekend, July 14.
