Pastors: Don't Cancel Church on Christmas
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Pastors: Don't Cancel Church on Christmas

Your Misplaced Priorities Don't Settle Will Your Church

25
Pastors: Don't Cancel Church on Christmas

I am not a pastor.

I am not currently employed at a church, but I hope to be soon.

So speaking from the perspective of a simple churchgoer with a love for ministry, my plea to pastors should be considered logically reasonable:

Don't cancel church on Christmas!!!

"But people will be making other plans!" You say. "Not many people will show up to church. They will be traveling and spending time with their family."

Okay, so maybe you will have a smaller group of people show up. And yes, it is horribly inconvenient for you as a pastor to sacrifice your own family time on Christmas to plan another Sunday service and find enough volunteers willing to sing, run sound, or serve in the nursery. You are already busy planning a Christmas eve service, and maybe you have even printed in the bulletin that there will be no church services on Sunday, December 25th.

It's not easy, but it's doable. Some churches are combining their multiple Sunday services into only one church service on Sunday. Others are planning an identical service for both their Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services. As the church discerns the needs of their congregation, many viable, creative options surface.

But the answer is not to cancel church. And the reason should be obvious to you - It's Christmas! What better day to celebrate the incarnation of God for the redemption of the world with your body of believers on the day actually set aside for intentional celebration!

Furthermore, it's Sunday. It;s the Lord's Day, also known as the Sabbath. Are we to cancel the gathering of believers for worship as soon as it becomes inconvenient for us?

And yes, family time is important, especially on Christmas. That's why we travel, cook big meals, and see people we wouldn't normally take the time to see. So tell me, why wouldn't we want to spend our family time on Christmas with our brothers and sisters in Christ? The ones we actually spend fellowship and deep, genuine, intimate community in worship of the Lord who unifies us?

As a pastor, you should be teaching your congregation the right perspective when it comes to church and Christmas, not the other way around.

But don't just take it from me. Take it from an actual pastor who writes books and blogs for the Gospel Coalition, Kevin DeYoung:

"It’s the Lord’s Day. It’s a resurrection morning. It’s the day on which Christians have gathered for 2,000 years to sing the Bible, preach the Bible, pray the Bible, and see the Bible in the sacraments. It’s the day of the week given for rest and worship. Why would we cancel church on Sunday just because that Sunday is extra-special?

Maybe you’ve already printed the Advent schedule. Maybe the plans are already set. But it’s not too late to change your mind. Will your church’s ministry crumble without church one Sunday? I doubt it. But might it say something good and healthy about your convictions and priorities if you gather for corporate worship on December 25 just like you do every other Sunday? Something to think about."

Read DeYoung's full article blog here: https://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/kevindeyoung/...

So think about it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

10031
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

942172
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

119302
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments