The Empty Pew – Frank Poland: Lyrics and Music – Oh, how churches have changed. Many have embraced a corporate model in place of a biblical model. Many churches have changed the name of the church to make it more attractive and appealing. Others employ a diversity of secular activities and programs.
I remember churches where my father preached revivals in the 50’s. These were rural community churches (Lick Skillet, Shake Rag, Roaches Cove, Ridgedale, Hebron) – real communities near Scottsboro, Alabama. The Church building would be full, people standing outside looking in the open windows to hear the songs and message. When the person arrives to clean the church on Monday to prepare for the next week service, they could see the worship excitement in the last service (shouting and praising) by counting the hair pins and bobby pins on the floor.
Oh, how churches have changed. Did the members leave the church or did the church leave the members? But one indelible fact remains, God has not changed. He was the same God then and He is the same God now.
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THE EMPTY PEW
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In centuries past, when faith was strong,
The church stood tall, preaching and singing songs.
With steeples reaching for heaven’s grace,
Members together in the community church place.
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All songs were sung along with the one that leads,
Shape Note singing that meets the need.
Just a bucket of courage and a dipper of hope,
Together they gathered, learning to cope.
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With windows thrown wide to summer’s embrace,
In winter, the cold chill invades the place.
They huddled ’round stoves, their warmth intertwined,
Each soul woven together, God’s love defined.
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When winter winds blew, and snowflakes did fall,
The warmth of the stove drew us closer to all.
No flush of the bathroom, just outhouse away,
Yet no soul thought twice of the price they paid.
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From standing room only to seated in prayer,
They lifted their voice with all their family there.
God was the anchor, the church was their home,
In time that wasn’t easy, they’d still sing uplifting songs.
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Packed to the rafters, the warmth of the crowd,
All members together, they sang out loud.
White handkerchiefs waved continuously in air,
‘I Surrender All’ sung with sincerity and care.
No Sunday School buzz, no programs to sway,
Just voices united, praising God’s Day.
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And still they made time for God and His call,
Through trials and tribulations, they stood tall.
In reverence, church was a vessel, a start,
A lighthouse shining bright in each faithful heart.
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Today’s message of growth has been tangled and torn,
Prosperity preached, while the lost are not warned.
The hustle and hurry now fill up our days,
While the longing for Jesus gets lost in the haze.
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No more choirs harmonizing much desired old tunes,
Praise Teams replacing the choir, members standing till noon.
Tradition discarded for programs and plans,
Where are the disciples, their life in our hands.
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In 2025, fifteen thousand churches closed in despair,
With less members, financial burden too great to bear.
Where once arms were open wide in embrace,
Now networks and channels have taken their place.
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With each empty pew, a heart lays aside,
The need to belong, to be nurtured with pride.
Where is the community, the warmth and embrace,
Where kindness and mercy should find its true place.
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Whatever happened to gathering dear friends,
To uplift our spirits, with support to the end.
To welcome the stranger, to serve without need,
To sow seeds of hope, to ensure they succeed.
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Open your doors wider, let love heal the land,
Create spaces sacred where faith can stand.
With families gathered, in laughter and tears,
Reviving support that conquers their fears.
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For in this vast world, we should find a way,
To return to the heart of worship and pray.
If we nourish the spirit and let truth intertwine,
The community, the church and God’s spirit,
Will forever shine.
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The following serves as an analogy: We use to be close to God at the steering wheel of our life, however, we have moved away from God, He has not moved away from us!.
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A Point To Ponder:
Football Coach Nick Saban invited Jesse Jackson to speak to his LSU football team.
Jesse Jackson said: “Your stadium full of LSU’s fans is closer to the Kingdom than my church congregation!”
Saban replied: “What are you talking about? You can stand on the 50-Yard Line and smell the bourbon .“
Jesse Jackson said: “First, they all have the same goals. Second, they know the rules clearly
………………………………………and follow them, and Third, everyone is together in the same spirit!”
……………………………………..”Wish I could say the same for my congregation”.