I READ OF A CHURCH THAT WAS CLOSING THEIR DOORS FOR THE SUMMER BECAUSE OF THE FINANCIAL COST OF STAYING OPEN. THE PASTOR FELT THAT SINCE PEOPLE WERE FOCUSING ON VACATIONING AND OTHER SUCH  SUMMER ACTIVITIES, AND SINCE THEY WERE GETTING THEIR SUMMERTIME SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT FROM OTHER CONVENIENT SOURCES (INTERNET), THAT IT WAS NOT PRACTICAL FINANCIALLY TO HAVE SERVICES DURING THE SUMMER. HE COULD NOT JUSTIFY THE COST OF RUNNING THE AIR CONDITIONING AND ELECTRICITY TO A HALF FULL AUDITORIUM. SO, HE SAID THAT THE MONEY THEY SAVE WILL BE USED TO REACH MORE PEOPLE AFTER THE LABOR DAY WEEK END, WHEN CHURCH WILL RESUME.

HOW TRAGIC THAT CHURCHES HAVE COME TO THIS! I HAVE SEEN MANY CHURCHES THAT STOP SUNDAY SCHOOL, SUNDAY EVENING SERVICE AND/OR MIDWEEK SERVICES BECAUSE IT IS SUMMER. SOULS STILL GET SAVED DURING THE SUMMER! PEOPLE STILL MAKE LIFE CHANGING DECISIONS AT AN OLD FASHIONED ALTAR DURING THE SUMMER! WE HAVE PEOPLE VISIT OUR CHURCH AND GET SAVED WHILE VISITING RELATIVES FOR VACATION. WHAT IF OUR DOORS WERE CLOSED? THEY WOULD VISIT ANOTHER CHURCH YOU SAY. MAYBE , MAYBE NOT, BUT THEY DID COME HERE AHDN THEY DID GET SAVED!

I WOULD NOT WANT OT GIVE AN ACCOUNT TO GOD WHY WE TRADED REACHING PEOPLE DURING THE SUMMER BECAUSE OF THE COST OF AIR CONDITIONING! WE ARE IN NEW ENGLAND. DO YOU KNOW THE COST OF HEATING DURING THE WINTER? IT IS UNBELIEVABLE, BUT SOULS GET SAVED EVERY WEEK IN THE WINTER!

I BELIEVE WE SHOULD FOLLOW PAUL'S TEACHING THAT HE GAVE IN 2TIMOTHY 4:2, "PREACH THE WORD; BE INSTANT IN SEASON, OUT OF SEASON ; REPROVE, REBUKE, EXHORT WITH ALL LONGSURRERING AND DOCTRINE." HOW TRAGIC FOR A CHURCH TO HEAR THE WORDS OF JEREMIAH 8:20, " THE HARVEST IS PAST, THE SUMMER IS ENDED AND WE ARE NOT SAVED."

BY DR. MICHAEL STODDARD, NEW TESTAMENT BAPTIST CHURCH, EAST HARTFORD, CT.