Why join

Let’s talk about churches, clubs, service & other volunteer organizations.

Churches

Attendance has declined nearly ten percent before and after the pandemic. Before this, attendance was almost forty percent here in the U.S. That number has remained steady through this and the previous decade (excluding the pandemic years).

Clubs and Other Member Organizations

WWII was the last significant growth period. After WWI, there was also a time of increased membership. From WWII to the present, the decline has been over eighty percent in many parts of the country.

Why Join

Church membership has seen changes. Why? People join a Church, Synagogue, Mosque, Temple, or other place of worship because it is where like-minded people gather.

Why the decline? Several studies show that we have less time. Parents do more with children than they did when I was growing up. There is also more of a pull on your attention span. Unless you’re fully committed, TV, computers, phones, and other electronic devices want our attention. Today, texting has become the de facto way of communicating almost anything.

The problem, from my point of view, is the Internet. It’s gone from being a one-time activity to a full-on distraction. Why see someone in person when you can text or perhaps Facetime or Zoom?

The Internet is changing nearly every daily activity. So, back to my question. Why join? Why join the Masons, a Church, a service organization, or any other activity that might detract from your time on the Internet (net)?

Pros vs. Cons

Everyone needs a change of pace and focus. Most of all, focus. What does it say if all you focus on is you? Or, does the focus have to be only on your family? Are we setting the right example of service to your family, especially your children?

If your time is only spent on people associated with your faith, organization, or reading group, will that help you?

Of course, there can be many reasons or excuses why anyone will either do or not do something. You make the list, that way, you know the list has meaning.

Story — When my children came to me and said, “I’m bored,” I would ask them, “Have you helped anyone today?” Their comment usually went like this, “Like who, Daddy?” Then, I would sit down or kneel to be at their level. My question, “Have you ever needed help?” Their answer was, “Of course, my friend _____ comes over to help me _____ all the time.” So I said, “Well, how did that make you feel.” Excitedly, they would say (some positive statement). “I said, Why not go and make someone feel special? Be helpful.”

As the children grew older, I could say, “Why not serve?” They either stopped asking me, or they actually did help someone. I know they did because others thanked me for who the children were becoming.”

Cons

Time management immediately comes to mind. If you can’t manage your time, you’ll always only be able to help yourself. Think about how you can grow.

Depending on who you are, you may find more than enough to satisfy your own desire not to do something.

Finally — Remember that if you’re looking for a real excuse, “anyone will do.”

Here are some additional articles that might help you understand even more. The first is from A Shayens Abran, the founder and Editor of Be Open here on Medium.

Sometimes, being kind can also be being charitable. I think that Amarie Malone understands this. Please read:

“A gift is often a realized dream to the receiver. You have the power to make dreams come true.” — DR Rawson

How can I be helpful?

©DR Rawson