Pastor’s Ponderings—September 2025
To the church of God as found at Marion Salem Church, called to be saints together with those in every place who call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ: You are miracles of God’s grace and mercy!
The month of September brings the return to school, cool fall temperatures and somewhat a return to normalcy when it comes to routines (though as I write this during the last week of August, school has started most places, today feels like crisp Fall weather, and just what is normal!?). All kidding aside, September has long been considered the return to weekly routine for families after the summer break. For the last 16 years, congregations around the country and now around the world, have utilized the 3rd Sunday of September as Back to Church Sunday. In the US, the first Sunday of September is often Labor Day weekend – an awful day to kickstart or prepare for something. The idea of using the third Sunday is to utilize the second Sunday as a preparation weekend.
When it comes to Back to Church Sunday there are two target audiences. Let’s talk about the first set of people. These are the family and friends of Marion Salem Church – the members and regular attenders whose attendance might have fallen off a little during the summer months. When we celebrate Back to Church Sunday, part of our intent is to invite those back to worship who have recently fallen out of the habit. Part of our vows of membership remind us that all members are responsible for caring for one another. Before someone is baptized we say: “We will surround these persons with a community of love and forgiveness, that they may grow in their trust of God, and be found faithful in their service to others. We will pray for them, that they may be true disciples who walk in the way that leads to life.” And when someone becomes a member, the pastor charges the congregation with: “Do all in your power to increase their faith, confirm their hope, and perfect them in love.” Brothers and sisters in Christ, no one in this congregation should be absent of tangible contact with the Body of Christ. We profess to care for one another, and part of that is checking in when people have missed worship. Sending them an invitation. They used to say that Back to Church Sunday was the “no excuse needed” weekend to come back for worship. Honestly, any weekend is good for that. Methodists have long said we will “watch over one another in love.” The book of Hebrews (3:12-14) tells us to care for each other like this.
The second audience for Back to Church Sunday are those who have long fallen away from the Church or never attended at all. These folks are categorized as the unchurched or dechurched. As Christians we are called to become like Christ, the One Who gave of Himself to reach the lost. The more Christ-like we become, the more we should have compassion and invite others to worship Christ. We should be making invitations to worship and meaningful connections to those who need Christ. It has been a growing number of people in the United States over the last several decades. Yet there is good news! We are making headway in reaching the lost. All research surveys are responding that people are more open to hearing about Jesus (71%). There has been a quadruple increase (4% to 16%) in young adults (18-24) attending worship. The trend in attendance has Millennials, yes Millennials, attending at higher rates than Gen-X and Baby Boomers according to Barna. And Millennials are looking for authentic Christian faith more than slick shows. This all means we have a great opportunity to reach those who have never been reached before!
So with Back to Church Sunday coming, I hope you join in making multiple invitations for people to join us at worship. It takes 6 consistent invitations before people come, so keep trying. If they come to Salem, awesome! If your invitation inspires them to attend a faithful congregation anywhere, it is still a joy to celebrate!
Blessings,
Jason
