OBEYING GOD is sometimes a matter of exact prescription. For instance, you are either immersed for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38), or you are not. There is no ambiguity. The command is precise, as must be your obedience. There are, however, some commands that are not so precise. You must give on the first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:1-2); yet, beyond some very important general principles (2 Corinthians 9:6-7), the exact amount is not prescribed.

People respond to God's lack of specification in different ways. In giving, for example, a mature Christian sees giving as an opportunity to show his love, and he gives bountifully (2 Corinthians 9:6). Another dwells on God's lack of specification and tries to give just enough to get by. Their two hearts are vastly different. I am troubled by what appears to be a growing minimalist attitude that some are manifesting in various ways.

Lack of Attendance

Recently, a friend of mine took an informal survey of a few congregations whose Sunday-morning attendances were 100 or more. He found that most of these churches have a 30% drop in attendance between morning and evening services and often lose another 5% to 10% on Wednesday evening. Why?

Gospel-meeting attendance is also suffering. In past years, my experience has been that Thursday and Friday nights of a meeting were well attended--usually the biggest crowds of the week. Most of the local folks were present, and many visitors came from surrounding congregations. Now, attendance is likely to be the lowest on these nights. Why?

I've always been excited by congregational singing. In recent years, I have, however, noticed a trend. When a congregation has a Friday night or Sunday afternoon singing, a large crowd may gather, but typically, it is because singers from area congregations attend. A significant number of local members are almost always missing. If the local-church members had been present, even at the level usually seen on Wednesday evening, the building might have been filled to overflowing. Why?

Is it lack of commitment to the local church's work and worship? Is it lack of interest in spiritual things? Is it because life's weeds and thorns (Matthew 13:22) are choking the word and worship out of the lives of God's people? Is it that some have developed minimalist attitudes and want to do just enough to get by?

Bible Study and Prayer

In past generations, church-of-Christ members were looked upon as walking Bibles. People were not as challenged by television and a world gone crazy over sports. They had time to read, and they did--they read their Bibles. Among believers, conversations were sprinkled with spiritual issues and Scriptural references.

People were diligent to present themselves approved unto God, able to accurately handle the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15), and they prayed fervently (1 Thessalonians 5:17; James 5:16). There are still people like that, but their voices are fewer. Why? Do some wish to know just enough to get by? Do they think that a quick prayer at breakfast is sufficient?

Hospitality

Paul commanded the Roman Christians to practice hospitality (Romans 12:13), and Peter wrote, "Be hospitable to one another without complaint." (1 Peter 4:9) Am I the only one who has noticed that more and more families are isolating themselves, spinning themselves into the cocoons of their own living areas. This is not good. The world needs your influence (Matthew 5:13-16), and your brethren need the encouragement your hospitality can bring. Do we not feel the need for the company of our brothers and sisters? Do we think we see them enough at the worship services? Have some developed a minimalist attitude in this area as well?

Shortened and Fewer Gospel Meetings

Many churches have entirely abandoned six-day meetings in favor of abbreviated three- or four-day ones. The length of a gospel meeting is a matter of judgment. Under some circumstances, shorter meetings are better. But does this represent a minimalist attitude toward preaching? In some cases, the answer is "no." Some churches that are having shorter--but more frequent--meetings have actually increased the amount of preaching. Others may do the same by replacing their six-day meetings with other special efforts that are more effective. When that is the case, may God bless. Use whatever methods you can to effectively strengthen the church where you are and get the gospel into the hearts of the lost.

Some have shortened meetings and replaced the dropped teaching with... nothing. Some, in fact, due to lack of interest, have just stopped having meetings altogether. If church members do not have enough interest to attend gospel meetings, you can be certain the people in the community won't come because no one will invite them. In such cases, the great commission has truly become the great omission. Does a lack of interest in evangelism and edification betray a minimalist attitude among us? In some cases, I think it does.

Sunday-Morning-Only Services

There is a trend toward doing away with the Sunday-evening service in favor of having a longer Sunday-morning service. I do not presume to tell a local church when or when not to assemble. Because local churches are autonomous, that decision is the sole responsibility of the local-church elders. I can certainly understand why some churches find it more convenient to have only one Sunday service, and there may be good reason for doing so. At one point in the history of the churches in this country, particularly in rural areas, most had only one Lord's-Day service. If these churches, as a matter of convenience, could go from one to two services, it goes without saying that churches today can go from two back to one, if that is deemed to be in the best spiritual interest of the local church.

With what I've said, I urge caution. In making the decision to do away with Sunday evening worship, please do so because it's in the best spiritual interest of the local church and not because you are placating the minimalist attitudes of some who wouldn't attend on Sunday evening anyway. Be sure this is not a thinly veiled reflection of a minimalist attitude. Be careful! (edited KMG)