No matter where

you go or what church you are affiliated with, you will always hear the

term "summer slump." This is something I have never understood,

yet we all see it.

I realize that

people have had a long winter and the kids have had a rough year in school

and we are all appreciative of the warmer weather, but there is something

basically wrong with this "summer slump" idea. This "summer

slump" seems to be a time when people just totally drop out of their

spiritual habits, spiritual growth and totally put themselves right in

the center of the universe. They drop out of church like they are supposed

to when the weather hits a certain temperature. It appears to be a time

when all the bad habits of life are nurtured and watered.

I also realize

that people need to, and like to, take a vacation with their families.

I also very much like to do this but what if God got a case of the "summer

slump"? What if God just got a good case of the "summer slump"

and quit interacting with us and quit listening to our prayers? After

all, "it is summer you know."

And what if

He stopped painting the sunsets and numbering the stars and decided to

let gravity take a break, just for the summer? What if He quit dealing

with our relationships with our families and with other nations? What

if He quit sending the great comforter, the Holy Spirit, to convict us

of the sins in our lives and what if the Holy Spirit was on summer break

and no one was saved during the summer?

If tomorrow

morning you wake up and are able, to communicate in any way, or to walk,

or speak, or type, or even move, then you are able to do God's year-long

fall, winter, spring, and yes, summer bidding. I can certainly tell you

that you are not supposed to go into some kind of "summer slump trance"

and drop out of you church and drop your spiritual habits and life and

live only for self, just because it's summer.

No one loves

a cottage in the mountains more than I. Our family had one for the past

ten years, but when it got to be God's day, we were in church. There is

no hobby or sport or job or amount of money that is going to keep me or

my family out of church on Sunday. I can further promise you that if a

sport or hobby meets on Sunday and it's keeping you or your family members

out of Church then you need to find a new hobby or a new sport or a new

lifestyle.

I get the lamest

excuses you have ever heard for not being in God's house on Sundays, and

especially in the summer. I love it when they say "we travel during

the summer." I have often wondered who in today's society has the

funds to travel all summer. Just think of three meals a day and room and

board and transportation all summer? I don't think so.

I see Christian

parents that will walk in and sign up a child for a summer sport and think

nothing of their child missing church and their youth group to insure

they play on the team. Parents, the messages are clear very clear. First

things first!

I also see

parents assist their children in taking jobs that will totally conflict

with their spiritual lives. They are teaching them that money is far more

important than their spiritual lives and certainly more important than

Christ's bride, the church. Parents, you and I will be held accountable

for leading our most precious children down this primrose path.

And all the

sports leaders that are scheduling their games and tournaments during

the traditional church times are not helping children but thinking only

of their "sports gods," not the God of creation or of our salvation.

If the sports shoe fits you, wear it.

Christian parents

should rise up and demand a schedule that allows our children to go to

all their church activities, mostly on Wednesdays and certainly not Sundays

where they have to miss church. Parents, think of the message you are

sending.

A great cure

for the "summer slump" is a good dose of summer dedication and

involvement in your church. Pray that God doesn't take a break because

it is summer. Stay in there and pitch with your church during the summer.

God will bless you for it.

The Rev.

Dr. Knox Herndon is pastor of His House Community Church (SBC). The Rev.

Greg Mausz is senior associate pastor. The Rev. Dr. Lydia Herndon is the

Sunday School superintendent, Bible study coordinator and teacher. The

church is just below Fayetteville, on Ga. Highway 85, a mile south of

Ga. Highway 16, just below the fire station. Visitors welcome. Church

office and prayer line 770-719-2365; e-mail [email protected]. The church's

new Web site is www.hishousecommunitychurch.com.

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