WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN CAPE GIRARDEAU: VANISHING WITH A YEAR ALREADY SQUANDERED?

Prior to his ordination, the Rev. Miles White was a hospital administrator in the U.S. Army. He has a bachelor of science degree in management from Oklahoma State University, a master of business administration from the University of Hawaii, a master of divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and a doctorate of ministry in preaching from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. White has been pastor at Westminster since 1989.

"Now listen, you who say, `Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." (James 4:13-14, NIV)

I remember the chaos of the crowded locker rooms, the waiting list for the racquetball courts, and the workout rooms teeming with people in their new, high fashion workout suits. It was obvious that a concerned, loving, well meaning family member had given them the new sweats, and perhaps a club membership, as a not so subtle hint that they needed to lose a few pounds and get into shape for the sake of their health. Those of us who worked out regularly would take most of January off until these "rookies" disappeared. It was our observation that only about 10 percent of them would stick to their New Year's resolutions. As the rest fell out, we could then go back to our routine together.

These dropouts didn't quit on purpose. Their disappearance was gradual. A day missed, here, two there, abbreviated workouts because of business appointments, and gradually, the grand New Year's plan disappeared into the dust of time.

I am sure an equal number of families, as they assessed their lives, realized that the maintenance of their faith was less than it should be. Last year, a family I know woke up on Christmas Day and realized their not-so-small children did not know the Christmas stories so vital to one's faith in God. The children had never been to church or Sunday school, and the parents had been "too busy" to teach them about their faith. The parents had always intended to join a church, take the children to be baptized and enroll them in Sunday school. But day by day, week by week, year by year, these good intentions were never acted upon. They always counted upon tomorrow.

The husband and wife decided to make a New Year's resolution to bring their family back into the community of faith. Sadly, like the gym warriors, these would-be faith warriors soon let their resolution slip into the nether world of good intentions and their children remain rootless and faithless in a world where faith is essential to spiritual survival.

If you know a family like the one portrayed above, clip this article and give it to them. After all, chances are not good that they will be reading the church page! They intended to, but...