Recently a well-known Baptist preaching commented about the shame that some churches were canceling their services due to inclement weather. I got my start as a believer in churches with his attitude and I’m all for it. I understand that certain comments can come off with more of an adversarial spirit than perhaps the author intends. Perhaps the responses to his comment were a reaction to the perceived spirit of his words rather than the sentiment itself. I have to say, I was surprised at the aggression of the opposing comments.
I would never suggest that a person do what they believe to be personally unsafe in bad weather conditions. I personally know of persons who lost their lives and others who are permanently disabled from accidents that happened as they attempted to get to a church service in the middle of a storm. No one should try to come if it is unsafe to do so.
That said, it is important that church services are held even if the weather is terrible.
The testimony of Charles Spurgeon, arguably the most effective preacher in modern times. Spurgeon was just 15 years old when, because of a terrible snowstorm, he ducked into a small Methodist church instead of going to the church he regularly attended. Weather was so bad that only a handful of people were there. Even the pastor could not make it to the service. After waiting for some time, a layman in the church stood up to offer something from God’s Word to those in attendance. He took his text from Isaiah 45:22 (KJV)
The testimony of Charles Spurgeon, arguably the most effective preacher in modern times. Spurgeon was just 15 years old when, because of a terrible snowstorm, he ducked into a small Methodist church instead of going to the church he regularly attended. Weather was so bad that only a handful of people were there. Even the pastor could not make it to the service. After waiting for some time, a layman in the church stood up to offer something from God’s Word to those in attendance. He took his text from Isaiah 45:22 (KJV)
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
He made a few comments about the passage:
"Looking is no work. Anyone can look," etc. Then he fastened his eyes on young Charles Spurgeon. He told him that he would be miserable in life and miserable in death if he did not look unto Jesus.
Spurgeon said at that moment he felt like he could look his eyes away.
He looked unto Jesus and was marvelously saved.
All because a handful of people did not let inclement weather, or the smallness of the congregation, or even the lack of their pastor prevent them from holding church services.
Marvin McKenzie
In the fields
