Spring is definitely in the air. There are a lot of things going on, and it seems that they just keep piling on. But somehow I manage to make a Cub game or two anyway.

Something new this year in our neighborhood is the Antique Car Drive-in, sponsored on our end of town by the Berean Bookstore on Stapley and the 60. If you want to see some nice old cars and not have to pay a high price to see them, on Friday nights in the parking lot in front of the bookstore, you can more than get your fill.

My attention was attracted at first by the loud 50’s rock and roll music. You could hear it all the way inside Office Max where I get the bulletin printed. When I went out to investigate, here were all of these old cars. There were several model A’s, old Thunderbirds from the 50’s, Bel Airs from the 50’s, and old pickups and hot rods of all makes. Also, there were various cars from the 30’s and 40’s, some meticulously restored to their former beauty, some definitely works in progress.

My favorites have been the 1940 Ford pickups and the 1940 Ford convertibles. What beauties! They don’t make cars like them anymore. And don’t you dare say "good." I know that the newer cars are more efficient and better engineered. But which would you rather do, rebuild a carburetor or recalibrate the car’s computer. I guess it is all a matter of perspective.

I asked one of the car owners what was going on. He told me that the Berean Bookstore and other religious groups sponsored these "drive-ins" in order to bring business into the stores, and as an evangelistic tool. How interesting, I thought. The problem is, unless I have been bold enough to ask, I haven’t heard one single word about the Lord at one of these rallies. It is true that there is very little foul language or dishonorable talk. But there has been some. And it is true that the people are all friendly and sharing. They will tell you anything you want to know about the cars, but very little discussion involves any religious topics. I began to wonder if the "drive-in" was a success after all.

There is, of course, no Scriptural support for such an effort. If people truly are led to the Lord, it is because of what the word says. Jesus said, "No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me" (John 6:44-45). It is the gospel that is the power of God unto salvation. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16). And we are called by the gospel. "Whereunto he called you through our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thess. 2:14).

It is true that Jesus often performed miracles, but he did not allow the miracle to get in the way of the lesson. When he fed the 5,000 in John 6, that became the purpose and object of those folks. They became more interested in the potluck than in the feast. And that is the problem with all the events, shows and rallies that people devise to attract people to their church. Very soon the attraction becomes the thing and the Lord is left in the dust. Those who use softball teams and ice cream suppers to attract prospective converts find that even in their hearts the softball and ice cream begin to take over. Less and less is said about the Lord’s will in any substantive fashion, and more and more attention is given to the program. That is one good reason that God did not authorize them.

Should these folks stop having their "Antique Car Drive-in?" What I think is not going to make a whole lot of difference to them, but I honestly hope they continue. It would be acceptable to me if they were just more honest about it. It is not a matter of drawing the lost to Jesus. It is an enjoyable time for people who collect old cars to get together and enjoy one another’s company. And it is a chance for someone to advertise their business. But it is not the Lord’s work.

We need to do more to attract people to the Lord. I didn’t say we needed to do more things. We don’t need rallies, potlucks, social programs, or Easter pageants. Those things get attention, but they also soon become the center attraction. What I mean is that we need to do more teaching, talking, studying, inviting – and praying. [That’s "praying," not "playing."] "But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were distressed and scattered, as sheep not having a shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest" (Matt. 9:36-38).

A couple of months ago someone jokingly suggested that we might have a Super Bowl Sunday service in order to insure that no one is tempted to miss Sunday evening service because of the football game. This was a jest on their part. No one took it seriously. And it was made in the serious context of a discussion on priorities. Then what happens. Gary Johnsen shows me an add placed by a neighboring church of Christ where that was exactly what they were going to do for the their young people. They would set up a big screen TV in their fellowship hall so the "youth-group" could watch the Super Bowl. They would be encouraged to bring friends who were not members, and food and snacks would be provided during the game. During the half, they would turn off the TV and have their worship service, and conclude just as the half-time was over. I don’t know if they had any baptisms, or even if they made any contacts as a result of that effort. But I am sure they enjoyed the game. It was one of the few good Super Bowls. (I watched it on tape after services.)

God’s way of doing things are the best. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isa. 55:8-9). "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?" (Rom. 11:33-34). In God’s plan, it is the message that attracts people to his son. "Every one that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me." It would be wise to stick with God’s plan.