Seriously, God...Do I "drink lemonade and dash" each Sunday?

This past week, I was in southern California for vacation and for church I was able to attend Saddleback in Lake Forest. Getting to experience a new church and not being responsible for anything or anyone was kimd of awesome. I won’t lie I needed that break.

Like many large, modern churches they had a beautiful campus and lots of coffee. There were small pools of water that my son was really convinced were hot tubs. He was thoroughly impressed. I told him I guessed it was for baptism, but his conviction didn’t break. Hot tub it is.

What really caught our eyes was the jugs of drink right next to the coffee—free lemonade. We gladly took three cups and sipped the sugary, tart drink as we worshipped and listened to Pastor Andy Wood speak. The service ended with a call from the pastor encouraging the community to get involved in the various ministries. A church that size must need hundreds, thousands of volunteers. Since we were only there for one Sunday we quickly scooted out to make it to In & Out before it got too busy. I drank their lemonade and high tailed it out.

As I drove toward San Diego I thought about how many visitors have drank their lemonade and left without a trace. Countless. For many they need that anonymity because they are traveling or just need time away from their own Sunday context. I get it and need it myself. But how many times have I done the same at home? Drank our “lemonade” and left. I do not interact, I am not invested, I am more frustrated than not, and I am looking forward to lunch with much anticipation.

In so many ways Sunday church feels closer to a university lecture I would skip if it wasn’t that threat of a pop quiz.

How did I get to this point where church is “drink and dash?”

Because I am still away from home I am going to keep things short and a little more open-ended. I do suspect I am not the only person who feels this way about Sundays. I have another visit this week, so next week will be part two.

Sam

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• Have you had a season when you just needed to go to church, but avoided everyone and everything? What caused that season?

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