Excellent post at Vic the Vicar on the comparison of churches to gyms, and whether their model of discipleship is actually closer to that of Jesus than the one the church uses.
People who join a gym (and see it through) know what they want and are willing to do what it takes to run the race and reach their goal.
People who join a church are similar but we don't challenge them to ascertain how they might make their commitment reality and how we can aid this (so how are you going to come of a Sunday - and if you can't when would you like us to be open for you?).
The road to hell is paved with good intentions (and unused gym memberships) - the reason for this is that we all like the idea of a sound and fit body but intentions and practice are rarely one and the same thing unless we have desire and people who will challenge, demand and, most importantly, provide the place, means and relationships to make our intentions concrete.
I would sometimes say to people who brought their children for baptism when I'd never seen them before "What would the football club say if you want your child to be on the team but never attend a practice, or even a match?"
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