YM, as one with an interest in folks going to church, I know that transitions of people over time is inevitable. They don’t like a particular sermon, they don’t like a particular decision, they don’t like that the pastor’s son goes to a Catholic Church, they find a shiny, new bauble of a church, whatever....and then they leave. I just expect it now. You’re gonna lose some, and you’re gonna gain some.
What it means is that you keep trying, because I know I’m far from perfect in this life.
Particularly, you try to keep your active group active, then you try to reach out and bring more into the active group, and if the Lord ever opens a door, then you try to restore friendships with those old members who went elsewhere.
Matthew 5: 23”Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.…”
Btw, did you see that FR ranks number 14 on Alexa out of a field of 100 sites? Pretty darn good! :-)
Very nice post.