By Randy Cosner
There is news that our nation could someday face a widespread “pandemic.” This is another word to add to our everyday use list. It seems that a pandemic, as opposed to an epidemic, is far more widespread. I certainly do not want to trivialize the serious possibilities of the bird flu, although I have heard lately that it might not be as dangerous as previously thought. We all certainly hope it is not.
There is a type of “spiritual” pandemic to which we should be alert. It has cropped up in congregations around the country. It is called sporadicus attendus. Spiritual leaders have been alarmed at its effect on their congregations. Its first effects are evident in patients who begin not showing up for occasional worship services. If this is a result of work schedules or instances of illness, etc., there is little cause for alarm. But when it is observed over a long time without these causes, spiritual leaders do become concerned. Symptoms become more sustained when these persons continue to display a pattern of absences over a period of time. Some occurrences of the condition have resulted in persons rarely attending more than a few worship services in a row.
The Pastor’s Desk Reference (PDR/The Bible) strongly recommends self-examination in cases where the absences are frequent. Here are some things you can look for. Complacency is at the top of the list. This is the feeling of not really caring about attending. Another is fatigue. This usually is a result of over activity in other areas. One more indication is having developed a habit of not attending. This injurious condition really takes a toll. Many are trying to quit this habit.
One more serious result of sporadicus attendus is that it can further advance into the always spiritually detrimental discontinuous attendus! This dreaded condition is when the person has stopped attending worship services entirely! If left unchecked, serious decline is inevitable. Declining vital signs include greatly decreased Bible study, lack of Christian fellowship, and no involvement in the Church, among other things. Most people stop tithing or supporting the work of the church as well.
I hope you will take an opportunity to do the self-examination and look for signs of this terrible “spiritual pandemic.” Let us not let this take hold in our community!