Summertime is Here

Welcome to Summer! Now that school is winding down and the public pools are opening and the temperatures are rising, everyone knows summer is finally here. It's a time of enjoying outdoor activities which cannot take place in the cold months of winter. Vacation time is among the thoughts of planning for the family. Everyone seems to be smiling more!

Today I was thinking of the usual things that happen in summer, especially for the local church. With more traveling and more activities happening, lots of churches are entering the time which happens every year called, "The Summer Slump."  This can usually be seen with smaller crowds in attendance, lower numbers in Bible classes, and even a noticeable decline in the collection plates.

It is not my intent to dwell on the negatives of summer, rather to see if we can become strengthened spiritually through a more concentrated effort to be the people of God. Nothing I am going to suggest is centralized on summer. If its focus is on anything, it's on the reminders that being Christian is more than what we experience in the worship assembly, it's who we are every minute of every day. 

Here are some thing I would like to suggest to help us individually and as a body of believers to overcome the negatives of summer slump, winter slump, or anytime slump!

1. The personal commitment of every member to continue with the effort of growing and maturing as a disciple of Jesus. Pledge yourself to become closer to the likeness of Jesus in your speech, you actions, and especially in supporting the activities of the local church. 

2. Grow in times of personal prayer, personal Bible study, and examine the things in your life which need to be strengthened or even changed.  If we are going to wear the name of Jesus Christ, then we should always desire to be an active part of his spiritual family. 

3. Establish in your life the personal task of sharing Jesus with someone who doesn't know him. We are still under the commands of the Great Commission, and every one of us can become instrumental in leading someone to the Savior who is everything to us. 

4. As a local church, summertime is a wonderful time for our leaders to cultivate and develop the talents and gifts of our members. It is amazing how many will become more active, more energetic, and more determined to be useful of the Kingdom. They need the encouragement of leadership, and the chance to be using their gifts and becoming an instrument of God. 

I have started the list with these four suggestions. Perhaps you can think of others for your local church which will not only build it to be stronger in the faith, but will help everyone to "let our light shine before men that they may see our good works, and give glory to the Father in heaven. "

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