Memorial Baptist Church

I think I'm going to write a book about regrets some day. I've had my fair share as I'm sure you have too. We learn so many lessons by personal experience and by the observation of others. As a pastor, I've seen a lot of stuff over the years. I've heard many stories of regret. I often hear from empty nesters (or nearly empty nesters) the regret of children who don't attend church. I know a number of median and older adults who lament the fact their children do not attend and participate in a local church. While the reasons may be difficult to ascertain or complex to explain, in some cases it is rather obvious. Here's one that stands out among the several. I believe "well meaning" parents make bad choices for their children. Parents who choose extra-curricular activities over church attendance are more likely to experience this regret and guilt than those who choose church participation over extra-curricular activities.

Here's what happens. We want our children to be engaged and we enlist them in extracurricular activities. It's all good stuff. Over the childhood and adolescent years, these activities become priority and subsequently church becomes less and less a priority. We prioritize physical training over spiritual training by our action and attendance. When our children finally move out of the house, there is a tendency for parents to gravitate back towards church while faith seems to regain a renewed importance in life. As we become more systematic and regular in our church attendance, we wonder why our children aren't involved.    

Here's the problem. When you choose baseball, football, swimming, golf, soccer, or any other sport or activity over church attendance, you're telling your child by action that these are more important than spiritual matters. Spiritual formation is more important than any other extracurricular involvement. The ability and agility to play sports lasts a short while; tools and instruction about spiritual things last a lifetime and eternity. If you're out of church, you're out of the will of God. Scripture instructs us to value the gathering of believers for worship.

Why do I tell you this? Am I trying to be harsh or mean spirited?  Absolutely NOT!  I just don’t want you to live with this regret or guilt. I want to spare you this disappointment, anguish, and regret. You can't fault your children for not going to church as adults; your child is merely living out the priority you instilled into their life. Don't live with this regret. Have your family in church this Sunday. Attending a church today ingrains a habit of prioritizing church for a lifetime. Get your children involved in faith based activities. Remember spiritual formation lasts a lifetime and not just a season.