Get Back To Church

Greetings friends!

The Psalmist, David, had sung, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the House of the LORD." Psalm 122:1 (KJV)

Unfortunately, I have found that there are so many women who cannot relate to this Song of David in the Bible.  I have been told by several women that they no longer have an interest in attending church.  When I inquired of the reason(s), the women's answers were all similar:  someone in authority hurt them (abused, lied, cheated).

I decided to do some research on this issue and I found an article written by Ms. Jaimie Bowman called, "Why Women Are Leaving The Church".  Ms. Bowman's article documented the findings of the Barna Group's (The Barna Group provides research and training for churches, non-profits, and businesses.) research on "Women and Faith" which was released in August of 2011.  

FINDINGS BY THE BARNA GROUP:
*Since 1991, church attendance by women has dropped 11% and weekly Bible reading has plummeted by 10% – to just 4 out of 10 women. 

*The only religious behavior that increased among women in the last 20 years was becoming "unchurched." That statistic was raised by 17%. However, there was an increase in women who say that Jesus Christ is their personal Lord and Savior – an increase from 38% in 1991 to 44% in 2011.

After reviewing those findings, I am reminded of what the author of the Book of Hebrews recorded.  "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

The Day is approaching and now is the time to forgive those who have wronged us. It is time for us to come together and dwell in unity.  Psalm 133:1 encourages, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (KJV)

As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I will not be discouraged, but will keep encouraging and inviting women to attend church so they can have that worship experience for themselves. Church is the place where the body of Christ comes together to praise and worship GOD. It is the place to fellowship with other believers and it is the place where we can edify and exhort each other in the name of Jesus.  

In Christ,
Therese from Belize