Woodstock Christian Church

School may be out for the summer but that doesn't mean that you can be out of church for the summer. It is a fact that over the summer there is a notable apathy in church attendance. Summer vacations and trips are a welcome break from the daily grind of the other ten months. Let me encourage you with these few thoughts.

Hebrews 10:25 - “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing ….”

When in town remember to be with your church family. When we break up our weekly routines with vacations and trips we fall out of the habit of getting into church. Fight the urge to sleep in after a vacation. If you are at home then join your church family. We want to hear about your trip and we certainly want to see you.
When out of town, find a church family to visit. There are a lot of great church families all around the country. As you visit other places look for congregations to visit. They can be encouraged by your attendance and you can be blessed. Make church attendance a part of your vacation planning. If you will be vacationing over a Sunday, plan on attending a local church.
At http://www.grantsgraceland.org/topten/tp072000.html they take a humorous look at the “Top Ten Ways To Boost Church Attendance During the Summer”

10. Have your preacher preach from a Dunk Tank!
9. Offer free samples of "Hellfire and Brimstone" BBQ sauce to every new visitor!
8. Add a slide to your baptistery and advertise the church as a water park!
7. Offer a free tank of gas for every five sermons heard!
6. Convert your parking lot into an RV Campground!
5. Convert the sanctuary aisles into putting greens!
4. Replace your church sign with one that reads: "Tourist Information"!
3. Have your elders and deacons dress up in animal costumes (if necessary) and open a petting zoo on the front lawn!
2. Put up road blocks and tell people there's a manhunt going on!

And the number one way to boost church attendance during the summer is:
1. Be there yourself!

I am by no means advocating these methods but, No. 1 is a good one. Be here. You are missed when you are not here.