*After being notified of another practice scheduled within church hours on a Wednesday, I will be sending this letter (though slightly modified for this blog) to whoever may be in power to consider a change to the schedule. I hope other Christian families feel the same way as I do. If we don't take a stand now, sports on church nights will become a common practice. I hope this is not a defeat Christian families are willing to accept.*

To Whom It May Concern:
     I am typing this letter in response to the decision to have middle school baseball practices on Wednesdays and Sundays. As you may, or may not know, these are days in which many Christian families- though becoming more and more rare- choose to worship by attending church services.
     I realize my opinion may not have much of an impact as “church” is quickly becoming an “if we feel like it” event among American families. However, this truly is a topic which is becoming more of a concern among the faithful church-going families, who are increasingly finding themselves in the predicament of choosing dedication to a sport over their longtime commitment to God and their church. In times past, many people who grew up playing sports can testify to the fact that sports events were rarely- if ever- scheduled on Wednesdays or Sundays, unless conducted during a time well outside the bounds of church hours.
     As you read this, you may be asking yourself, “What is the harm in missing a night of church for a sport’s practice?” Easily enough, many pastors and youth leaders in our churches are asking the same question, “What is the harm in missing a night of sport’s practice for church?” It all depends on what side of the fence you are standing on. Yet there is a deeper thought to the former question. When the compromise for replacing church for sports has been made, the precedent is set. Our children soon learn, if there is something deemed more important than church, it is acceptable to miss the church service. The standard is lowered; they grow up with the embedded understanding “I only go to church when it is convenient for my schedule.” Imagine if businesses were run this way! Imagine if doctors conducted their practices in such a manner. Imagine if children only went to school when they wanted to go. Yet, this is how America is beginning to treat its church attendance. Now, as a turning point in this letter, imagine that the unthinkable tragedy strikes.
     Will it matter then, how fast they can pitch? In the midst of crisis, will it matter how far they can hit a baseball? When their world is crumbling around them by the things that this life can so easily bring, what will really matter? You see, it is in times like these that we turn to God for comfort, for answers, for the peace that we need to bring us through the storms of life. However, if our priorities have never been centered on Him, and our children see Him only as Someone they worship and talk to in their convenience, will they even feel close enough to Him to call on Him in their trouble? Will they even think to turn to God for comfort during their time of distress?
     It is scenarios such as this that strengthen our family’s belief that it is vital to preserve a deep dedication to God within our children. The Bible instructs us in Hebrews 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Even in centuries before ours, Paul instructed Christians not to forsake their attendance to church. The Bible also says in Hebrews 4:14, 16 “…let us hold fast our profession. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Yes, grace is there when we need it; help is there when we seek it; but the command is to “hold fast to our profession.” What is our profession? That Jesus is our Lord and Savior over our lives. We must hold fast to it; guard it, preserve it, hold onto it as if it were the most precious gift within our possession- which- He is, isn’t He?
     I realize it is possible that you may think the arguments within this letter are a bit drastic. Yet I am convinced that the ease at which we replace our attendance to church is a viable concern within our country. One need look no further than Europe, whose young people are laying aside church attendance and long established religious truths at alarming rates. We must ask ourselves, where did their lack of concern for the faith originate? Did it begin in the home? Is our commitment to church worth saving and preserving within our American youth? One more question- are two nights reserved for church too much of a sacrifice to ensure our children's faith in God stays strong and steady?
     Finally, I would like to point out that it simply does not have to be the reality that faithful church attending families with children in sports should have to choose between their midweek worship service and sport’s practice. Sundays really need not be spent on a field, working like all the other days of the week, but could be honored as one day set aside to worship God and spending time with family. There are five other days in the week that can easily be spent in games and practices. Most of our local schools have been advocates for Christian principles. It is because of that standard that I believe our community's sports programs is capable of the consideration that church families deserve. Perhaps not only capable, but gracefully willing to remove the tough choice of church vs. sports that Christian parents are currently having to choose between. Our community has strong roots and respect for the House of God, and I am hopeful that this letter will provoke thought and discussion about the decision to have practices on Wednesdays and Sundays. In spite of the ultimate outcome of this situation, the voice of Christians are undeniably being disregarded in the world we are currently living in. I feel it is my duty, and one that I humbly, yet willingly accept, to be a voice- small as it may be- to advocate the preservation of the dedication to God and the good churches of our community.
     Thank you for your time and patience in reading this letter. I pray my petition will be thoughtfully considered.

May God Bless,
Andrea K. Bailey