"Is the Lenten Season Bringing More Visitors to Your Church?" Ummmm, No

Yesterday I received an email from the good folks at the publishing and supply arm of my tribe (The United Church of Christ). One of the product categories they were highlighting were tools for visitors (lanyards, name tags and such). The headline for the section was what I posted above: "Is the Lenten Season Bringing more Visitors to Your Church?"

It is a small thing, dashed out by a marketer at a church publisher and not intended as an ecclesiological or missiological statement, I know. However, it points to a bigger issue within the church: the fact that we still expect the Lenten season to bring visitors to our church. Lent is an opportunity to asses our relationship with God, a chance to correct the course of our life and remember that God loves us. It is a wonderful season for Christians in church. With the possible exception of a displaced Catholic or two (who we love!), no unchurched person showed up at church last week because it was the first Sunday of Lent ("Lent? You mean the stuff in the dryer?") Possibly, someone came because of a cool, creative Lenten worship series or event, marketed well, that spoke to a felt need in their life. But, what is much, much, much more likely is that someone came to church for the first time last Sunday because they were invited by someone with whom they have a relationship and in whose lives they have noticed a difference. People come to Christ (and to church) because of other lives that are overflowing with joy and confidence and peace as a result of their relationship with God.