My church celebrated homecoming this week. This
event is known by other names but in essence it is designed
as a big church event to boost attendance numbers and/or
raise money through offering for a special project.
I'm of
two minds on these such events and waffle back and forth
depending on what mood I am in. Some churches act as
if these events are evangelism because people come that
don't normally attend their church. At least with the
name homecoming, it is implied that it is more like a
reunion for people who have moved away or attend other
churches. The truth of homecoming (and most other
special events) is that it generally adds attendance at the
expense of other churches.
On the other hand, homecoming
is always a good excuse to invite back people who used to
attend the church but no longer do for any number of
reasons. It is good to make an effort at winning
people back who have stopped attending church regularly.
If anybody returns to church because they attended
homecoming, then it is a win not just for the church but for
the kingdom of God.
So, at least for today I'll say that
homecoming is a good thing in the right context. We
shouldn't be out to get people from other churches but if we
draw back anybody who had fallen away, then it is a good
week. I suppose it all depends on the intent of what
homecoming is about for the church.
