Linus and Charlie Brown are talking in a recent strip of Peanuts. Linus is saying, “I don’t like to face problems head on. I think the best way to solve problems is to avoid them. This is a  distinct philosophy of mine. No problem is so big or so complicated it can’t be run away from.”

Charles Schultz was often profound and often way ahead of his time. I find that to be true even in our church life. Too many times we prefer to turn our backs on “problems” rather than confront them or seek to solve them. Let me give a couple of examples in a different way.

If our school system only graduated 40% of the students, what would we say or do? Probably seek a change of the administration or the board especially if your child was one of the 60% not being educated. What would happen if a local doctor only cured 40% of his patients? How long would they remain in their practice? How about a car company who cars only ran 40% of the time and the rest of the time it was in the shop? That company probably wouldn’t be around long.

Then, if only 40% of our neighbors are in church, are we doing what we are called to do as a church?

When we as the church see a need, a problem, do we try and correct it or do we try and avoid it? Do we sound too much like Linus?

I know that there are times when I like Linus’s philosophy. Especially when it comes to having to confront people or real problems. Avoidance has its comfortable appeal. However, it never really solves the problem.

As a church we need to confront the problem of attracting people to the Gospel of Jesus. We need to become inviting to get them to come. We need to welcome them better when they do. We need to assimilate them when they join.

In the words of those always referring to Charlie Brown’s often goof ups, “Good grief, (Charlie Brown) First Methodist Church.” It is time for us to stop avoiding and time to start doing.

Peace and Grace. Reed.