Study
finds fewer women are attending church
I
found this article in the Wichita Eagle of Saturday, Sept. 3rd; it was written
by Helen T. Gray of the McClatchy News Papers of Kansas City.
The
article had many interesting facts in it, some that have been in my thoughts
for a long time now. Growing up I found that the women were the backbone of the
church. The pastor was always a man, the directors, deacons and other “high
position” jobs were men.
Ms. Gray
went on to say: “Women have been the ones to organize the Vacation Bible School,
the church rummage sale, the hospitality dimensions of congregations’ life,
etc.” “(Today) “They simply do not have the energy to sustain these patterns
while working full time, rearing children, etc.”
I totally
agree with her. The world has changed
but the church has not evolved with it.
Personally
I would enjoy a group of women who got together for bible study, book club;
topical study or whatever was decided. Yet, it would have to be in the evenings
when most women are doing laundry, fixing supper for their families, cleaning
and shuffling their children to soccer, cheer camp or whatever activity they
are in. So again that leaves the women trying to find time to go to them and
join in.
Traditionally
if a woman stops going to church then the husband and children don’t go. Thus
the decline in attendance at most churches. Why would they want to go to church
if all they were doing was being ask to babysit, teach, attend meetings (most
of which are during weekdays while most women work).
As I
recall the churches of Jesus day were gatherings in the home where they broke
bread and let Jesus or the elders teach. Women of the Bible taught us a lot;
like Esther or Ruth for instance. I believe that women can teach and have
opinions and observations the same as men. It doesn’t have to always be ONE
person who teaches while the others listen. We can learn from each other and
discuss what the topic is. The bible is always right; this is a given in my
life; yet sometimes it is through talking about it that the true interpretation
comes out for others.
Personally
I have found that I don’t have to attend church to feel that God is the “all-knowing,
all-powerful and perfect Creator of the universe who still rules the world
today” (Barnes study).
As a young child I found and accepted Christ
as my Savior and nothing has deterred me from that (except for a period of
questioning all things in my teen years).
Most
church services today are for about 2 hours at the most – one half hour being
for singing or praising (usually standing up when that is the last thing I want
to do that early); 15 to 30 minutes of communion, collecting the tithes and
announcements. The pastor may speak for 30 to 45 minutes at the most.
Please don’t
think I am against all church gatherings, they are very important to help teach
people about Christ and help them learn who Christ is and to accept him as
their Savior. That is what Jesus taught us to do. I just think the church needs
to minister in different ways.
Anyway, I
found the article interesting and thought you might also.
Here is
the article, copy and paste into your header to read it.
http://www.kansas.com/2011/09/03/2000348/study-finds-fewer-women-are-attending.html
