My dear Friends.

Let's imagine that instead of me being a Christian Minister, I was someone who was anti-God. Let's imagine also that I have very real power and influence and could initiate measures which could stop people going to church, reading their Bibles and so on. So, what tactics would I use in trying to stop people hearing about and believing in God?

Well I could use the direct approach and outlaw going to church. I could pass laws to imprison anyone who possessed a copy of the Bible or who tried to tell others about God. That surely would frighten most of the present so-called Christians and very soon God would be history. Or would He? Experience elsewhere suggests otherwise!

So what about a more subtle approach? I have noted that Sunday is the special day for Christians, for it's on that day they meet together in church buildings and have services of worship and receive teaching as well as enjoying the company of one-another. So let's make Sunday a very busy day.

Let's open all the shops. Let's have lots of activities that children must be part of, like football matches. Let's make sure there are plenty of really good children's programmes on TV on Sunday morning, so that the children are entertained while the adults enjoy a well-earned lie-in. Let's also encourage every family to have at least one car so that they can go and visit family and friends on a Sunday.

Just in case all this doesn't attract everybody. Let's make sure we make church buildings places of historic interest, keeping them as in yesteryear with hard pews, poor heating and most people unable to hear what is being said. Then surely people will prefer to sit in the comfort of their own homes to sing hymns featured on a weekly religious programme. In that way Christians won't meet together in any meaningful way.

Now with this more subtle approach we mustn't rush things, for we don't want people to think we are anti-them going to church - just that we are increasing their choices. Then hopefully after a number of years a generation will grow up who have not been to Sunday school or church and therefore won't give God a thought. But just in case some have slipped through the net let's provide good and attractive alternatives to baptism, weddings and funerals which in previous generations took place in a church building or with a Christian minister conducting them. In the alternative God will not be mentioned.

Finally if I make sure Christmas is a very, very busy time for all the family, so there is no time to think of the historical reason for this major Christian festival ... well by now the battle will surely be won with few having any interest or inclination to think about God. Within a generation or two, God will be no more. Sometimes it pays to be subtle!

Reverting to my believing in God and being a Christian minister, I have to say that I am only too well aware that this is happening to our country and because it has been taking place little by little we have got used to it. In a national newspaper recently I read this: "He would telephone in the morning to find out whether you were free for supper, promising to call back later to confirm. When he didn't, you knew he'd had a better offer"

Like that well-known TV personality, so many today seem unwilling to commit themselves. They could very well come to church but don't like to be definite about it in case something better or more important comes along. Now, of course, there can be an emergency, or we are taken ill, or on holiday ... but otherwise is there anyone or anything more important than joining with other Christians in the worship and pursuit of our relationship with the living God. I hardly think so if we are real Christians.

In my 34 years in the ministry I have seen a gradual change by the majority of people when it comes to coming to church on a regular basis and the change has been in the direction of coming less often. Now maybe church services and sermons are not as good as they were (then pray for me and let me know how things can be improved - please don't just drift away. Maybe we are a lot busier than in previous generations and there is so much more on offer. But in the end it is a question of priorities - is God at the centre of your life and mine or does He have to compete with other people and things each week?

So what do you think? Am I being unfair? Have I got it all wrong? I write to challenge us all... for sadly if present trends continue, the day will come when it will indeed be a case of 'When two or three gather together in My Name... Says the Lord'

God bless you all

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