Last Friday night Pam and I and Chris and Shannon attended the well advertised benefit in support of the Memorial for the Unborn. Idaho Senator Russel Fulcher (Majority Causcus Chair) was the guest speaker. There were also several well know people from the Treasure Valley including Melissa B. (Brandi) Swindell the National Director of Generation Life and probably better know as the Co-chair of Keep The Commandments Coalition. It was a very enjoyable evening with a time of fellowship and some GREAT desserts and touching stories.

I know you're asking yourself "So, why is this important enough to get on the Pastor's Blog?"  I'm glad you asked! I have noticed that over the years the "Church," believers in general, will turn out in droves to lay down some serious bucks to attend a football game, a hockey game, even a baseball game which in the long run does not serve a purpose other than to entertain ourselves. It saddens me to think that our hearts have grown so cold to others in need who are looking for some type of relief, some type of healing from a loss that we wouldn't take 2 hours out of our precious "Me Time" to at least come and see how we maybe able to help.

I know we all have very good excuses why we don't attend these types of events. The big one is, "It's so expensive." Well, it cost Pam and I $28.00 for the two of us. For $28.00 we received some outstanding desserts (all we could eat), all the coffee we wanted, a performance by wonderful pianist, guitarist, singer, and outstanding inspiring speakers. But most of all we were able to help support a very good cause, and bring hope to those who worked so hard to put this event on. How much did it cost you to stay home, order a pizza and watch some dumb thing on TV? I bet it was close to that. Or, how much did it cost you to go to the movies? More than that I bet.  "But I'm so tired on Fri. nights." I would venture to say if someone asked you out for a steak dinner you'd miraculously find the energy.

How much did it cost the mother and father who lost a child to a miscarriage, or a still birth or even an abortion who still grieves their loss?

Maybe I'm being a little too harsh. But I don't think so. Over many years the church has tried to put on different events; events to inform, educate even entertain. Events like the "Purity Conference" which has the potential to change lives. We've brought in some wonderful powerful guest speakers; noted authors, historians and entertainers. But just like the Benefit for the Memorial to the Unborn event they also continue to be poorly attended.

The frustrating part for me is I don't see a change. What I do see is the attendance for such events continuing to decline and not only that but attendance in our churches on Sundays continue to decline. Why is that? Have our hearts grown so cold to the things of God? Have we joined the world and become a "Me" society?

What say you?

In Christ's Love,
Pastor John