Have you ever heard the phrase “The Bystander Effect”?   I recently watched a piece on a morning show that dealing with “The Bystander Effect”.  In the simplest terms it refers to cases where individuals do not help out a victim because other people are present.  This is a social psychological phenomenon that is studied all over the country.  In the segment it dealt with a staged scene where a man grabbed a girl and tried to run away with her.  Of the 6 trials they showed (although more were referred to), guess how many times people stepped in to help this little girl.  ONLY ONCE!!  Out of all the other trials no one said anything to the man, to the policeman on the corner, or even called 911.  Why did no one step up to help this little girl?  They thought someone else would do it and they were too busy with their own lives to help someone else out.

As Christians are we the same way?  Do we help out when needed, or do we suffer from “The Bystander Effect”?  When tasks or events come up is there a scheduling conflict, or do we just think someone else will do it?  Right now YOU are needed.  Just as the little girl was crying out, so are we.    Will YOU answer the call for help?  Below is a list of activities that desperately need YOU!!

          Fall Festival                                           Christmas Gift-Buying Program

          Visitation                                              Bible Class Teachers (children, teens, adults)

          Sending Cards                                      Chaperones For Trips

          Organizing Programs                            Lads To Leaders (organizing and going to)

These are just a few, but I challenge YOU to pick one of these as something you can do.  Just do not be a victim any longer of “The Bystander Effect” in the Lord’s Church!!