Not a Spectator Sport

 In 2015, over 85,000 passionate fans poured into AT&T Stadium to watch the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Oregon Ducks battle it out for the college football national championship. That pales in comparison to the 400,000 racing fans who cram in to watch the Indianapolis 500. 

People love to watch their favorite teams. Around where I live, fans are passionate about the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, and the Dallas Mavericks. Team gear is everywhere. People spend insane amounts of money to watch their favorite teams play. People are just as passionate about the Texas Longhorns, Texas A&M Aggies, Texas Christian University, and Texas Tech. Rabid fans also can be found around the world. Millions line up to watch the Tour de France or World Cup Soccer. 

Billy Graham famously said, "Christianity is not a spectator sport." I discovered in some research today that church attendance is dwindling. Attendance has not recovered to pre-pandemic days for many congregations. Then I came across some statistics that startled me. In a survey taken a few years ago, it was discovered that 3:10 adults attend church weekly. That number trended downward to only 2:10 attending more recently. In a survey taken July 3, 2024 the number plummeted to 1:20 adults who attended a worship service weekly. 

Christianity is not a spectator sport. Even it was we are doing a poor job getting spectators in the building. Followers of Jesus were never meant to sit in a pew and soak in endless study of the scriptures without taking action. Just imagine the first church gathering and people showing up to watch the performance on stage. 

Those early believers prayed together. They worshiped together. They labored together and sacrificed together. They shared meals together. They cooperated in sharing the love of Jesus with those around them to the point that people were getting saved every single day. They were engaged. In the arena fighting the good fight. They were practical participants. They were not spectators. 

Some people pat themselves on the back for just showing up to the assembly of believers. Jesus wants more than butts in the seats. He wants hearts on the altar. He wants feet ready to enter the mission field with the message of Jesus. He wants open wallets and purses for advancing His causes. He wants people to give some sweat equity to do the work of God. He wants tender hearts to love the most unlovable. He desires bold followers to fearlessly proclaim the saving message of grace to the lost scattered around. HE WANTS MORE THAN SPECTATORS. HE WANTS PLAYERS TO GET IN THE GAME. BE A PART OF THE ACTION. BE AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT. The church will never impact our culture as long as people are content to be spectators.