Cancelling church

[RAIDER]

On another thread the topic came up of FBCH not cancelling a service for weather.  This came to my mind yesterday as we had a large snow storm come across the mid-west.  The church I attend made the decision to cancel services.  There was 7 inches of snow with 5 more predicted for the day.  The winds were going to pick up to 30 - 35 mph in the afternoon.

I had to smile as our pastor struggled in not knowing what to do.  Churches everywhere were cancelling Sunday services on Saturday night.  To me it was a no brainer - cancel the services!  We waited until Sunday morning and several text and phone calls later finally cancelled for the day.  We ended up with a foot of snow.

I am not one to cancel a service for no reason, but it does amaze me how some preachers act as if the sky will fall on them if they cancel a service.  'What if we cancel and we only get 2 inches of snow instead of the foot predicted?" is their thought. 

I work with a fellow that attends another IFB church in the area that is pastored by a HAC grad.  They ended up cancelling also.  He commented that he thought the world was going to end because his pastor cancelled services.  "He never does this" was his comment.

Are we showing how committed and spiritual we are, or are we showing what idiots we are when we get this paranoid? 

 

[kaba]

The safety of your people are first! Since we have a lot of Q-tip members, they often stay away from church if it rains real hard. We have had to cancel church service for hurricanes a few times in my 13 years here.

Actually yesterday, Super Bowl Sunday, we have our annual church picnic, and have evening service at 3!! I think that tradition would be greatly frowned on my the typical IFBer.

 

[RAIDER]

Yes, any change in church services on Super Bowl Sunday would be looked on as "pure liberalism" by most IFB.  I have mixed emotions.  I did attend an IFB church for several years that did exactly as you did yesterday, kaba.  I loved it!

 

[IFB X-Files]

Since we have no snow in the desert here in Arizona, we only cancel evening services for Mother's Day and the Super Bowl.

 

[bgwilkinson]

I believe there has been a sea change in attitude.

In the old days of the MOG the religious machine called the church was supreme and above all.

There seems to have been a slow realization that the machine is there to serve the body of Christ, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood.

Maybe I am looking through rose colored glasses, I hope not.

 

[RAIDER]

I believe there has been a sea change in attitude.

In the old days of the MOG the religious machine called the church was supreme and above all.

There seems to have been a slow realization that the machine is there to serve the body of Christ, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood.

Maybe I am looking through rose colored glasses, I hope not.

Did you guys get the storm yesterday?

 

[Binaca Chugger]

You dirty-stinkin'-no-good-dirty-ricker-bracker-lace-wearin'-pink-tea-lemonade-sippin'-no-count-compromisin' liberal!  How dare you ask such a question!  Forsakin' the Assembly.  Forsooth, RAIDER, forsooth.

 

[RAIDER]

You dirty-stinkin'-no-good-dirty-ricker-bracker-lace-wearin'-pink-tea-lemonade-sippin'-no-count-compromisin' liberal!  How dare you ask such a question!  Forsakin' the Assembly.  Forsooth, RAIDER, forsooth.

I stand humbled.  What was I thinking?!!!

 

[brainisengaged]

Yes we had a blizzard, and there were varying amounts of snowfall. I believe in our region it was at least 12 inches, some reports up to 16 inches. It was the fifth largest snowfall on record. It started snowing about 9:00 p.m. Saturday night and the bulk of the snow fell by noon on Sunday. However, it did not stop snowing until Monday morning, and the blizzard conditions (to my understanding, blizzard does not necessarily mean snow but rather windy blowing conditions) rolled in on Sunday afternoon.

Many churches cancelled, FBC Hammond did not. I think it really goes against the grain. But things ARE different. Pastor Wilkerson did not run the buses. The evening service time was moved up to 5:00. For many, it meant turning around nearly as soon as you could get home from the morning services and shovel out the driveway...

The college was instructed to stay at the college, and special services were held at the college for all FBC members who live closer to the college than the church.

So, accommodations for safety were made. I do think this is the first time I remember such considerations. I think I understand the mentality of "never cancel church". Conversely, I do NOT understand the mentality of, "We will get there no matter what the conditions, no matter how long it takes, no matter how great the danger." Perhaps because we don't live especially close, it just does not seem worth risking life and limb in order to get there. The pastor wisely chose to live close. He can definitely get there. I think that makes good policy.

 

[sword]

I suspect the lost offerings are also a factor in canceling church.

I figure if I can get to church safely I go, if not I stay home.

I do not need the pastor to make that decision for my family.

 

[RAIDER]

Many churches cancelled, FBC Hammond did not. I think it really goes against the grain. But things ARE different. Pastor Wilkerson did not run the buses. The evening service time was moved up to 5:00. For many, it meant turning around nearly as soon as you could get home from the morning services and shovel out the driveway...

The college was instructed to stay at the college, and special services were held at the college for all FBC members who live closer to the college than the church.

It looks like a step in the "common sense" direction.  I do have to ask, with the weather being as you described, why would Wilkerson not cancel the service?

 

[Binaca Chugger]

I just heard that the University of Chicago canceled classes today.

DON'T LET YOUR CHURCH BE LIKE THOSE STINKIN' LIBERALS!

 

[Binaca Chugger]

Many churches cancelled, FBC Hammond did not. I think it really goes against the grain. But things ARE different. Pastor Wilkerson did not run the buses. The evening service time was moved up to 5:00. For many, it meant turning around nearly as soon as you could get home from the morning services and shovel out the driveway...

The college was instructed to stay at the college, and special services were held at the college for all FBC members who live closer to the college than the church.

It looks like a step in the "common sense" direction.  I do have to ask, with the weather being as you described, why would Wilkerson not cancel the service?

Cuz he ain't no stinkin' liberal you alumni compromiser! 

 

[Tennessean]

Yesterday we were in the path of that major snowstorm. Sunday morning at the time for the bus to leave there was about an inch on the ground. The driver assured me that it would be safe. We had a record number on the bus. After SS we sent the bus children home. We had our regular morning service. (yes we did take the offering) We actually had a decent crowd and several visitors. But since 8 inches of snow was still being forecast we cancelled our evening service.

 

[bgwilkinson]

I believe there has been a sea change in attitude.

In the old days of the MOG the religious machine called the church was supreme and above all.

There seems to have been a slow realization that the machine is there to serve the body of Christ, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood.

Maybe I am looking through rose colored glasses, I hope not.

Did you guys get the storm yesterday?

Yes, about 18 heavy inches of snow. It's almost like a solid not snow, mixed with layers of ice.

 

[bgwilkinson]

Many churches cancelled, FBC Hammond did not. I think it really goes against the grain. But things ARE different. Pastor Wilkerson did not run the buses. The evening service time was moved up to 5:00. For many, it meant turning around nearly as soon as you could get home from the morning services and shovel out the driveway...

The college was instructed to stay at the college, and special services were held at the college for all FBC members who live closer to the college than the church.

It looks like a step in the "common sense" direction.  I do have to ask, with the weather being as you described, why would Wilkerson not cancel the service?

We need the offerings, they tend to not get made up at a later date.

 

[RAIDER]

Many churches cancelled, FBC Hammond did not. I think it really goes against the grain. But things ARE different. Pastor Wilkerson did not run the buses. The evening service time was moved up to 5:00. For many, it meant turning around nearly as soon as you could get home from the morning services and shovel out the driveway...

The college was instructed to stay at the college, and special services were held at the college for all FBC members who live closer to the college than the church.

It looks like a step in the "common sense" direction.  I do have to ask, with the weather being as you described, why would Wilkerson not cancel the service?

We need the offerings, they tend to not get made up at a later date.

I think that is probably the "motivating factor" with a lot of preachers.

 

[16KJV11]

I tell the people that I am not going to cancel services but if they at all feel unsafe uncomfortable in driving to church, do not come.

 

[RAIDER]

I tell the people that I am not going to cancel services but if they at all feel unsafe uncomfortable in driving to church, do not come.

And then the following week you preach the Devil out of the deadbeats who didn't come while Brother Johnson and his family drove 30 miles in the blizzard to be here. 

 

[16KJV11]

I tell the people that I am not going to cancel services but if they at all feel unsafe uncomfortable in driving to church, do not come.

And then the following week you preach the Devil out of the deadbeats who didn't come while Brother Johnson and his family drove 30 miles in the blizzard to be here. 

Ha, I knew this retort would come!  I ABSOLUTELY WOULD!