CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – This is ironic.
I know someone who became a minister. He leads a small congregation in an out-of-the-way rural part of Central Wisconsin. Maybe 20 or 25 people attend his church.
And then there are these Friday on Faith segments. Upwards of 50,000 may be listening. I have no religious qualifications whatsoever. I’m a good writer and public speaker.
When he preaches, he can go into much greater depth than I can. The danger is that a pulpit-preacher can talk beyond his audience’s attention span. I reach a much larger ‘congregation,’ but I have only two minutes. Hopefully just long enough to get you to think.
So who is doing more for God? I don’t imply that it’s a competition. It is written that all of heaven rejoices when just one sinner repents.
I’ve come to think that it’s the small -town church that is winning more souls for God. Why? Because when talking about God, the quality of the audience matters. And I don’t say that to be insulting to anyone listening now. But when you go to church, you’re there intentionally. You got dressed, you drove there, you’re giving your undivided attention. Your mind is much more likely to be open to the message. Much of my audience now is in the car. I’m competing for your attention with whomever is in the back seat and the inattentive drivers around you. You could turn the radio off and no one would know. I could speak to thousands, and yet the quality of the listening is much different than in church.
So why keep talking about faith for a few minutes on Friday mornings? Because maybe these messages will resonate with just one or two or three of you. Surely that would make it worth it.
Chris Conley
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