14 New Year’s Resolutions for Stevi UMC, #1 - #7

The Altar at Calvary in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Note: This is the first half of a long post that is very worth your time. It is a paraphrase of a post on the blog, Roads From Emmaus, and written by the Very Rev. Archpriest Andrew Stephen Damick, pastor of St. Paul Orthodox Church of Emmaus, Pennsylvania. To view the original blog post, please visit this link.

1. Get serious about coming to worship (more).

While many who read this are no doubt at least every-Sunday attenders at church, it is statistically true that only 39% of American United Methodists come to worship weekly (the statistic is drawn from people who are actually involved in worship, not from anyone who was ever baptized United Methodist; that statistic would be much worse). That’s really a horrible percentage. If you’re not coming to church weekly, why not? There are probably some good reasons out there, but most of those 61% almost certainly do not have good reasons. If you’re not serious about coming to church weekly, it’s time to get serious. This is eternal life we’re talking about, not a religious club. What are you normally doing when those services are going on? Your pastor and other parishioners are there praying, including praying for you. Why don’t you join them? You won’t regret it.

And while we’re at it…

2. Come to church on time.

It’s kind of an in-joke that some people are always late to church. But why is that? We too often accept the excuse that we function on “Montana time” or “western time,” etc., but we seem to be able to adapt to show up to nearly everything else on time. Why can we show up on time for work, sporting events, movies, doctor’s appointments, etc., but reserve our tardiness for an encounter with the King of Kings?

There are some kinds of events for which it doesn’t much matter if you come at a particular time—parties, various kinds of social gatherings, etc.—but church services aren’t one of them. There is a definite beginning and a definite ending. If you show up late, you are late. And if you leave early, you are skipping out.

What you show up on time for tells the world what you find important. It’s what you find indispensable. And when you show up late to church, it also tells your fellow parishioners that you don’t consider church very important.

And it also communicates it to the children and youth. And you can be assured that they will imitate you. Come at least ten minutes early. That says you are serious. You know what also says you’re serious?

3. Tithe.

Nothing says you’re serious like giving 10% of your income to something. Giving 10% to God sounds crazy to a lot of people, but the reality is that it’s actually totally normal for many Christians — even for generations. 

And other parishioners inherited a system based on union dues. So many may think that giving $500 a year (less than $10/week) is a lot. With that, you cannot support your pastor, and you certainly cannot pay for a building and its maintenance. Other people are picking up the slack for you.

Meanwhile, you are probably spending a lot more just on cable TV. Or Internet access. Or your smartphone. Or eating out. Or coffee. Or a lot of other things.

But the most important thing about pledging and tithing is not about meeting parish budgets or supporting your pastor. It’s about worship. Your heart is where your treasure is (Matt. 6:21). Where’s your treasure? Follow the money, find the heart.

If you’re not up for 10% yet, then try 8%. Or 6%. Or whatever. But go on record, and get disciplined about giving. Don’t give until it hurts, but until it actually feels good.

4. Pray at home.

Even if all you do is say the the Lord's Prayer when you wake up (saying it three times a day is the most ancient known prayer rule), you will notice a change in how you think and feel about your faith. It will become more present for you and will define you more.

Oh, and, parents? It will have a huge impact on your children and grandchildren. Watching parents pray at home and (in time) joining them in that prayer is one of the biggest contributions that kids can receive toward their long-term spiritual viability.

If you don’t bring the faith home, you can forget about it mattering in the long run, either for you or your chikldren.

5. Sing along at church.

The choir and musicians are there to lead you in singing, not to entertain you or sing instead of you. Yes, it is possible to pray with them silently, but there are few things more spiritually invigorating than singing your prayers. So if you’re able, you should. From the beginning of our tradition we were known as singing people. I refer you to John Wesley's Directions for Singing.

6. Memorize a psalm.

Memorizing Scripture is a great thing for many reasons, but psalms are especially powerful, because they are all prayers. Pick your favorite one to memorize. Lots of Christians love Psalm 23. But there are plenty to choose from. Pick a short one or a long one. Just make it your own. Try praying it every day.

7. Encourage your pastor.

Yes, he should be willing to do his job without getting any encouraging words. And many pastors do. Your pastor is a human being just like you are. And while he shouldn’t live for praise, you can help him see that his hard work is appreciated by telling him so. You don’t have to shower him with compliments. Just tell him that what he’s doing matters to you.