SAIL ON...

This past summer, it seemed as if a week didn't go by when the news would report another cruise ship mishap. Some of the ordeals included cabin fires, food poisoning, passenger domestic issues, and of course, some "jumping" ship. You got it, the man-overboard distress call.

I've got to tell you, I don't understand the "jumping" part. Why pay the fare? Why plan the trip? Why upset all the other passengers? The answer would have to be some kind of selfishness. I want the concern, focus, and conversation to be about "me". I'm sure you've seen it.

That's also why many modern church goers jump ship when it comes to their place of worship. When you make it about "me" and not about "thee" trouble is coming, and jumpers are preparing! You may be thinking, "How do we make it about "me"?

• "I don't like these new songs we're singing."

• "I couldn't even focus with all those drums, guitars, and horns."

• "Can you believe the pastor wasn't even wearing a tie?"

• "I don't think our youth director even owns a pair of socks."

• "I went in for my 45 minute day surgery, three counties over, and no one even visited me."

• "I was out for two weeks and no one sent me flowers or brought a meal."

• "It's just not like it used to be…"

These statements, or ones very similar to them, are made in some church or to some pastor every week. Really, you ask? Really! Sad, huh? I heard a church in another state was in a building remodel campaign. You know, they were going to update the carpet, tile, paint, sound system, and the fixtures in the restrooms. It's that last one that got'em! A large group of people ended up leaving the church over the color of the new commodes. You're kidding? I wish I was.

As I thought of this, I tried to imagine Moses, missionary Lottie Moon, and a member of the church with the potty–schism having a conversation one day in heaven.

Lottie Moon: "Now tell me again why you felt you had to leave the church and never return."

Church Member: "Well…uh…really…uh, I didn’t want to. The preaching was awesome, right from the Bible; the worship was great, blessed me every week; their ministry was effective; very mission–minded; my children were all saved there. We were doing really well––until they bought those blue commodes…"

Moses: "Hey, I hate to interrupt, but what is a commode?"

Church Member: "Yes, several of us wanted white commodes, but they went ahead and bought blue ones. We give good money down there, you know."

Lottie Moon: "You do know that there were places I went to in China that had no commodes, doesn't matter the color."

Church Member: "My grandfather started that church. If he knew they had blue commodes, he'd roll over in his grave!"

Moses: "Hey…what is a commode for Pete's sake!"

Lottie Moon: "I really don't think you handled that in the best way…"

Moses: "It's a what? You're kidding!"

I know this sounds silly and farfetched, but it is not nearly as silly – or – sinful as some of the reasons people use today in "jumping ship." The writer of Hebrews seemed to have something like this in mind when he penned these words:

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near" (Hebrews 10:23–25).

The word "forsake" means to leave behind, to abandon ship, to leave in straits or helpless. It's hard to imagine transformed people doing that to God's bride – the church. Yet it happens, regretfully, every week.