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Drive By Religion

In the June 28, 2008 , Messenger-Inquirer on page B5 there is an article “Church adds drive-in to draw visitors.” Drive-in churches are not new. I have heard of some in California , but this is apparently new in Marietta , Georgia . To quote the article: “The 150 year-old New Hope United Methodist Church is offering a drive-in service, hoping to attract new visitors with an unusual worship experience.” This is for those folks that don’t want to get dressed up or have to sit in a pew. They can spread out a blanket, stay in their cars, or lay down in back of the pickup with their dog. This church is considering offering communion to those outside sometime in the future.

This got me to thinking about what is wrong and right with this practice. Now, I am a casual fellow. I like wearing blue jeans to the office. About the only day I wear a tie is on Sunday. However, I got to wondering about our society’s reverence toward God. “Holy and reverend is Your name” (Psalm 111.9). God is to be feared and respected. Is it too much to ask people to wear their best in serving God? If their best is a pair of blue jeans then I have no problem with that. To come to God with a “casual attitude” is to show a lack of respect toward God. No matter our attire, we need to offer God our best.

What about coming to worship God? Lost in this article seems to be the idea of why we come together on Sunday. Is it not to honor and pay homage to our Lord and Creator? That does not have to happen in a building, but that should be happening wherever two or three come together in the name of the Lord, Matthew 18.20. We live in a time of personal convenience. I go to the bank that is close to my house and has a drive-in window so I can deposit my check without having to walk inside. McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King, and just about every fast food joint has a drive-in window for our convenience. They stay open all hours to make it easier for the customer to buy their product. However, the main idea in where and when we go to services should not be our convenience. I remember singing the song with the words, “Take Time to Be Holy” in speaking about prayer. The problem today is people don’t want to spend their time in serving God. I can even see this among the brethren. If a Gospel Meeting is at an inconvenient time for some people, they make no effort to attend. If coming to services on Sunday night requires a little sacrifice, they write it off. Just remember that Jesus’ death on the cross was not for our convenience, but our salvation. We are told to bear our cross. The last time I checked, the cross was a rough beam of wood that had to be carried. Some want it to be padded and with wheels.

Finally, what about assembling with the saints? It seems to me the “drive-in” church is really a way to come and be by yourself. We come together because we need the encouragement that comes with being with the saints. “Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works” (Hebrews 11.24). A problem we face as Christians is discouragement. We need more time together, not less.

A side thought is the Lord’s Supper. I can just see them handing out a little packet with a cracker and cup of grape juice as you drive by an open window. You will eat the cracker, drink the juice as you drive to the next window and throw away the contents. What could be more spiritual? –Dennis Tucker