If you read my recent Faith-in-Life column printed in the Sayre Evening Times, then you know I spoke out against the Valley Clergy Association’s agenda to get the “unchurched 10,000” to attend Sunday services.

In that column I said things such as I know many people do not feel closer to God (or the divine, or the universal force) when sitting in church. I wrote that there are many paths to the divine, and many of these spiritual paths do not require church attendance. I said it is not what one hears or does in church that matters, but how one acts in the world to bring peace and justice for all which counts. Finally, I reported the church will be there when, and if, you need it.

It’s quite possible you were disturbed by my column. You’re probably thinking, “I guess it doesn’t matter if I attend church; Lee doesn’t care if I’m there for Sunday services or not.” This is absolutely untrue, so let me explain the apparent contradiction.

What I wish for folks to understand is that while I recognize attending church worship services may not be everyone’s preferred route to spiritual growth, if a person does decide to join a church then there exists an obligation to support it.

One of the ways of supporting a church is to participate in its activities as often as possible. Whether we’re talking worship services, fellowship events, religious education opportunities, work parties, or committee meetings it is your participation that makes a difference for yourself and for everyone else.

Think about a Sunday service when a lot of people were present. Remember how good all our voices added together sounded when we sang? Didn’t it seem as though that day was somehow different because so many seats were filled, so many joys or sorrows were shared, so many hellos were spoken, so many stories were swapped during the social hour time?

It is our collective spirit -- the addition of each and every one of us -- that affects the quality of a worship service. For example, don’t you feel moved by the presence of a multitude during the silent meditation compared with meditating alone, or with only a handful of others?

Most people I know who get something out of attending Sunday services say that the experience is greater when more people are present.

So I do care if you attend. Not for myself -- I will give each service my best regardless of how many show up. I care not about attendance for me, but for you. If you come to church because you gain something by attending, then I want each worship service to have the greatest impact possible for you, and for all your fellow spiritual travelers in the pews.

The Valley Clergy Association claims Sunday attendance matters because your salvation depends upon it. In contrast, I’m saying that if being in church matters to you, then it matters to all the others in your faith community. Your presence enriches us all. See you around church!

Lee Richards