Walking in the Valley A weekly column for those who live and walk in Silicon Valley by Barbara Dahlgren

"I Never Knew You!" Column for the weeks of April 4-10, 2004

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On Easter Sunday, people who never darken a church door all year will put on their Easter bonnets and head for the nearest pew. Some of these once a year attendees take polls and say they are Christians. They probably even say they attend church on a regular basis? Once a year is pretty regular. Unfortunately they may have a false concept of what Christianity is all about. It’s more than Easter bunnies and chocolate eggs. It’s more than a once a year (or twice if they are faithful at Christmas) commitment. Unbeknownst to them, they may be in the category Christ refers to as, “I never knew you.” (Matthew 7:22-23; Luke 13:26-28)

However there are two other categories of people who may attend an Easter service this year. I call them the prodigal sons and the curiosity seekers.

The prodigal sons are those who stopped attending church because of some hurt, offense, or tragedy. Maybe they had things they needed to sort out, get straight, or get through. Maybe their broken hearts needed to mend. Maybe their anger needed to vent. Maybe they had burned out, gotten disillusioned, or had Jesus forced down their throats by some well-meaning do-gooders. Maybe they wanted to see what the world had to offer. Maybe the time is right and God is drawing them back into fold. Will they be welcomed with open arms like the father in the parable or shunned like the good son? (Luke 15:11-32)

This year may garner more curiosity seekers than usual because of Mel Gibbon’s blockbuster movie, The Passion of the Christ. They may be drawn to the festivities of the season: the Passion Plays, musical concerts, and Easter egg hunts. Maybe they are curios about Jesus. Who was he? What did he stand for? Why did he allow himself to be crucified? How is he relevant in our lives today? Can we answer those questions? (I Peter 3:15)

Easter doesn’t really expose the prodigal sons or the curiosity seekers to what church is all about. Church isn’t all blitz and glitz as the holiday seasons imply. Coming back the following week, they might encounter an exhausted fellowship trying to recover from the Easter push. They might even find a smaller congregation but hopefully one just as enthusiastic for Jesus, knowing He is the answer to every question, the supplier for every need.

Two times a year, the world focuses on Jesus whether they know it or not, Christmas and Easter. One emphasizes his birth and the other his death. Each holiday gives churches a ready-made opportunity to reach out to the community, prodigal sons, and curiosity seekers. At Easter, we have the added blessing of introducing people to the risen Christ! Not all who come will understand or be drawn into a life long commitment with Him. Only God knows who He is drawing. (John 6:44; I Corinthians 3:5-7) We don’t. That’s why we must welcome all with open arms and be ready to explain who Christ is. If not, even though we may be regular churchgoers, we could find ourselves in that “I never knew you” category. (Matthew 7:22-23; Luke 13:26-28)

Be sure to visit this page every week to read the next edition of Walking in the Valley. You can write to the author at bdahlgren@wcgsouthbay.org.