Missing the point... (a rant, of sorts!)

Let me begin this post by first apologizing to Fr Nigel for what I'm about to say... this will likely sound harsh, but it is meant with love and constructive criticism.

Tonight was the monthly scheduled evening healing service at my Greenwich church. With Tuesday's healing service being cancelled due to Christmas, I was really looking forward to tonight's service. It was snowing a bit, but not enough to concern me. The roads were wet, but really ok. When I arrived at the church, actually a "city on a hill", I began to be concerned-- there was not a car in sight at the chapel. I reversed, and headed to the welcome center, to be greeted with a sign that the service had been cancelled due to weather. (What weather? We're in the northeast, it snows- we're used to it!!) Ok, so not only didn't I know about the cancellation, but I drove two full hours (round trip) and used a full quarter of a tank of gas. Yah, this part really annoyed me- but as I calmed down a bit and really thought about the situation-- what reallllllllllllly began to anger and sadden me were the many opportunities that Fr Nigel and his staff had lost tonight to heal, to lead people to know this wonderful man Christ, to comfort, to love!!!

Not to compare- but rather to give a thought to think on to Fr Nigel.... My Latham church has a wonderful policy. They will not cancel any worship services, no matter how bad the weather is, no matter how "low" they think the numbers might be. Pastor David believes that if even one person makes it to church-- that is church. That is one person that can be touched by the Holy Spirit, one person to be ministered to, one more opportunity to share God's love. The following was in Calvary's mid week message this week-- I think it's appropriate to share in this particular post... credit to Pastor David for a great story!!!

"On the Saturday night before the service, there was a horrible ice, sleet and snow storm. First came the ice, coating all surfaces with a good half-inch of frozen danger. Then came the sleet, adding weight to tree limbs and power lines. Finally came the snow, covering everything in winter beauty. Fortunately, we did not lose power. So naturally, I bound up my sermon and copy of the bulletin, put on my boots, gloves and winter coat, and started out early, to walk the mile and a half to church. There I found the father of family A, shoveling the side walks, and the father of family B, clearing and salting the steps.

Now you have to know that family A and family B did not like each other. The members of the families rarely spoke to each other, and indeed sat on opposite sides of the sanctuary. When it was time to begin worship, the ten of us entered the sanctuary: four from family A, five from family B, and myself. As there were so few of us, I asked that we all move to the front. Naturally, family A and family B sat on opposite sides of the center aisle in the front row.

The service was a quiet event. I think there was as much ice in that frozen congregation, as there was in the winter wonderland outside.

The last carol was God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen. Together we sang it as best we could. As you may know, the last verse goes like this:

Now to the Lord sing praises, all you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood, each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas all other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy!

For the Benediction which followed, I said words to this effect. You are among the most faithful and loving families in our church. You are the two families who made it through the bad weather to worship, and the two families who have cleared the steps and walks. Why don't we all take the advice of the verse we just sang, And with true love and brotherhood, each other now embrace! The steps were slow, the hugs were hesitant, never-the-less, each one of us hugged everyone else."

What if Pastor David had cancelled church? Would this ministry opportunity ever come again?

When you "cancel" church- how many opportunities may have been lost-- how many opportunities will you NEVER again get back?

I believe that God rejoices any time a person enters a house of worship- and lends an ear, and countless opportunities to reach... touch... heal- to the largest of congregations as well as the the smallest of congregations, even those of one or two. (For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them!)

Now, as I end this "rant", I pray that God will give back the opportunities for healing, loving, and leading the hurting, that were lost tonight. I pray that Fr Nigel and his wonderful staff will think twice the next time snow flakes decide to fly, or registration is low for a retreat or event, or the "numbers" aren't consistently high for a particular gathering. God is there....and God plus one is a majority!!!