One Sunday, Allen asked if...
Illustration
One Sunday, Allen asked if he could share his story during the worship service. He told
how his parents took him and his younger sister to church and Sunday school every week
while growing up. He also told how much he hated to go, which brought a smile to
everyone's face as they could identify. There were times when Allen said he did not want
to go so he faked being sick. He was tired of the same, dull, old thing week after week.
He would argue with his parents, challenging them to give him one good reason why he
should go. At other times, he begged them not to go.
Finally, his parents gave in when Allen was in the eighth grade. He no longer had to go to church with his parents and sister. He could sleep in or watch television or play video games on Sunday morning instead of going to church and attending Sunday school.
For the next twenty years, Allen gave very little thought to the church. The only times he was inside the church was for weddings -- nothing else.
Then, in his thirties, Allen received a flyer in the mail about a nearby church that was starting a contemporary worship service. The mailing promised that it would be different from the old worship services. There would be a live band and singers, as well as a multimedia presentation. Still uncertain, Allen decided to begin attending and soon discovered that the worship songs spoke to him in a most profound way. He had never felt this way toward God or the church before. He looked forward to each week's service. Church was no longer boring! After several weeks, he began listening to a CD with worship songs during the week. Some of his close friends noticed and asked him about what he was listening to. When he told them, they replied that they never thought of church music being so lively. Soon his friends and coworkers began attending church with him.
Allen thanked the church for offering another service that impacted his life and for inviting him to the new service.
Finally, his parents gave in when Allen was in the eighth grade. He no longer had to go to church with his parents and sister. He could sleep in or watch television or play video games on Sunday morning instead of going to church and attending Sunday school.
For the next twenty years, Allen gave very little thought to the church. The only times he was inside the church was for weddings -- nothing else.
Then, in his thirties, Allen received a flyer in the mail about a nearby church that was starting a contemporary worship service. The mailing promised that it would be different from the old worship services. There would be a live band and singers, as well as a multimedia presentation. Still uncertain, Allen decided to begin attending and soon discovered that the worship songs spoke to him in a most profound way. He had never felt this way toward God or the church before. He looked forward to each week's service. Church was no longer boring! After several weeks, he began listening to a CD with worship songs during the week. Some of his close friends noticed and asked him about what he was listening to. When he told them, they replied that they never thought of church music being so lively. Soon his friends and coworkers began attending church with him.
Allen thanked the church for offering another service that impacted his life and for inviting him to the new service.
