Wheeled Christians

The rector of St. Edmund's, Salisbury, many years ago described "wheeled Christians" when he said "they come to church for the first time in their perambulators, for the second time in their wedding car, and for the third and last occasion in a hearse. How much happier would people be if they came on their own two feet in between times". True enough! We are reminded of the somewhat similar observation which first appeared in print many years ago under the caption "Four kinds of Christians". First there is the tired Christian. He is active enough in theory but the enthusiasm vanishes when there is work to be done. Then there is the retired Christian. He was a good worker once, but that was a long time ago. Next comes the rubber tyred Christian, all right if the way is straight and the road is smooth. Finally, the flat tyred Christian. He ran well until he suffered a puncture and since then he has never recovered his wind.

Not everyone is inspired when they go to Church or some other Christian meeting. May be they can't follow the books provided, be it a Bible or a prayer book. May be the various forms of worship are strange, be it kneeling, standing, sitting or just trying to follow archaic language. Most Christians have never read a commentary or concordance and the vocabulary used in Bible study can be a bit strange at times. It's easy to find reasons why 'strangers' don't find our style of worship inspiring. It's a little more difficult to 'get the message across' without using jargon of another era. "But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? And how can men preach unless they are sent? As it is written 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news'" (Romans 10. 14,15 RSV).

Abridge and adapted from a BSM in 1980