The Plight of Pew Warmers ~
Have you ever been frustrated over people who come to church
just to warm the pews? It's so easy to point, "Sinner!" - turn
your nose up, look the other way, and exclude them in fellowship.
It takes the love of Christ to look inside and see their need.
They didn't give up on God. Otherwise, they wouldn't even
be in church. What they may have given up on is either
themselves or other Christians.
Maybe they fell. Maybe they were nearly stoned to death by
the brethren. Perhaps their anger got the best of them. It
could be that they were falsely accused. They may have
misunderstood God's leading, thereby being tricked by Satan.
But, whatever is was, something very painful happened.
Satan convinced them God wouldn't receive them, it could happen
again, or they don't have the strength to begin anew.
Perhaps we could love them best by telling them they ęcanĘ,
that God made a very special provision to help His children with
such a need ą that when we follow God every step of the way, we
can't fall (II Ch. 15:2b), that we "can" place of confidence in
Him.
A second group of pew warmers, phlegmatic in personality,
often have the gift of helps. Once they scurried all over God's
house, doing countless unnoticed deeds ... until they joined a
legalistic church.
If they have to measure up to serve their God, they'll sit
there ętil the cows come home. They don't care if you call them
dirty names, like ęBack SliderĘ. They know who they are, a lot
healthier than some of us.
We're not going to see them move, unless it's out the door,
until our hearts are ready to receive them as already valuable
members.
A third group of pew warmers are the new converts, new at
the business of serving the Lord. They have so many new terms to
learn, programs to follow, acceptable etiquette to catch, attire
to transform, and things to grasp that they may not know if
they're coming or going.
They need us to come along side and help, not preach at
them.
A fourth group of pew warmers may not need to be noticed.
They may minister throughout the week, while others take a
holiday. They could be among our greatest prayer warriors. Yet,
we thank them by judging.
A fifth group of pew warmers, those waiting to measure up,
are still waiting. They believed man when he said they needed to
pass a spiritual test first, but the rules keep changing. No
point of acceptance with God opens that door. He isn't the one
who closed it.
A sixth group of pew warmers possible aren't Christian at
all. They may either be new or have efficiently warmed a pew for
a lifetime. No one bothered to check their salvation.
A seventh group of pew warmers may be patiently waiting to
serve while others think themselves so great they don't need
help.
When we attempt to name another's sin, things are rarely
what they seem. Pointing our finger at another leaves most of
the fingers pointing at the real problem (Ps. 119:165).
God may not answer our prayers for more laborers until we use
the ones He gave us.
® by Joyce C. Lock
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About the Author:
Joyce C. Lock is a published author, poet, and columnist.
In addition, she founded and maintains the email ministries
"Heavenly Inspirations"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavenlyInspirations/ and
"Share a Smile"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smilesharing/ .
Joyce's writings encourage us in our relationship with God and
each other.
