Look around you! You will see people wearing throwback styles, throwback shoes, throwback jerseys of stars in the past. Notice how many people are wearing throwback hairstyles and wide-brim glasses because it is the latest trend and fashion. You will hear throwback songs on the radio, or segments of old songs mixed into new tunes sang by present day artists. Look closely! Observe! You will witness young people reverting back to a preference of older model vehicles, and old people enthralled with photos of days when they were younger. Bowties, skinny ties, wide-keg trousers, and midriff blouses fit the throwback terminology. Back in the day they were called leggings, but not they are just label spandex covering for the legs. And listen! Those are just the throwbacks that are visible to your human senses. Yes, there is more to this topic called “Throwbacks!” There are throwback memories that linger in the mind, throwback thoughts about people who were either mean or kind, helpful or hurtful, caring or clothed in couldn’t care less attitudes/ Throwbacks!
Well, since throwbacks are accepted and adopted in the secular world and because they are streaming constantly in the memories of happenings that reside in our minds, shouldn’t we stop and see if the church should look to implement some throwbacks in the present day? For instance, remember when we went to church longer that one-two hours a day; figuring that time only if there is Sunday School? Shouldn’t we get back to some type of regularity of fellowshipping with churches in afternoon services? We just observed resurrection morning but let me ask you something my Friday Bible Study class brought to my attention. Are you ready? Well, here we go! Did you got through a schedule like the one of old: Sunrise service at 6:00 a.m., sunrise breakfast at the church, Sunday School, morning worship, going home and returning for the Easter pageant and then staying for evening service? Many of us would have to answer, “No.” We have been spoiled by shortened morning service, and set in the pews asking, “Isn’t it time to go?”
Seems to me that we need to look at some throwbacks that can benefit local churches and their congregations. Keep in mind, that if the congregation benefits, then others outside the church will be benefactors of how our time in the house of God transforms us. Seems to me that we need to examine how we have abbreviated the meaning of “The Lord’s Day.”
Think about “Throwbacks” for a few minutes. If you don’t like the term “Throwbacks<” think of the word “Comebacks.” Pick one of those terms, my friend. Also, see if there is any inspiration found in the passage below. Have a terrific Tuesday! Be blessed!
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven gold lampstands. I know what you have done; I know how hard you have worked and how patient you have been. I know that you cannot tolerate evil people and that you have tested those who say they are apostles but are not and have found out that they are liars. You are patient, you have suffered for my sake, and you have not given up. But this is what I have against you: you do not love me now as you did at first.” (Revelation 2:1-4 Good News Translation)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King
If we want to treasure and maintain a loving relationship with Christ, we need to focus on having a passionate desire to please Him. Not just with active service, doctrinal accuracy, and spiritual discipline, but with genuine and sincere devotion to Him. That may mean to worship Him in the afternoon or evening service that is scheduled; fellowship with other churches either during their special service or as a deliberate choice to visit; or reaching out to the world of those that need to come to know Christ and know Him better. Throwback is better than losing your loving relationship with Christ.
Thank you Dr. G! Your response summarized the actions we, the church body, should look to adopt. Thank you for your response.