| I have a confession to make. My family’s church attendance has been spotty lately. Not just during the pandemic, but after it as well. We have our excuses. The biggest one is our youngest daughter, who absolutely refuses to go into the children’s ministry without her mother. We end up taking her upstairs into “Big Church” with us where we live with the not-unfounded fear that she will disrupt the entire service. But when we do show up, we’re glad we did. Every time. That’s the same thing Ericka Anderson discovered. She’s the author of a new book about the importance of church, Reasons to Return. Rather than berating inconsistent attenders like me, she “calls on the promises of Scripture, painting an inviting picture of what it can look like when the people of God love one another.” Read the review of the book here. One crucial part of encouraging church attendance is getting newcomers to connect. Check out our resource on the topic. This 22-page resource offers biblical reflection, wisdom from experienced pastors, and practical tips on how to connect newcomers into the life of your church. | 