One argument against "church" is that it is full of hypocrites, liars, and two-faced people...and to that I say:
"THANK GOD! I'll fit right in!"
If I believed for a moment that any given church was full of Saints, I wouldn't darken their doorstep.
I know, I know, there are some churches that give the appearance that all their folks are saintly and do no wrong, but don't fault them for that...do you like to flaunt your faults?
Neither do I.
No, churches shouldn't necessarily highlight their faults, but they shouldn't ignore the fact that they have them either. Transparency is good - I think Jesus said something like that once.
Nor should a church degrade and harass folks for their faults - it is not the church's role to "change" people. Let God work with them.
The church should be, and mostly is, welcoming...If a church says All are Welcome - I hope they mean it. And I must say - many of the churches I have visited have been very welcoming.
Yes, we can all point out a bad church experience, but we all know better than to compare all churches by just one experience.
The folks inside the church doors (even the pastor) are just like us! They ARE hypocrites, they ARE liars and thieves and adulterers and on and on and on....
We are in good company!
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
The Church of 2020...
No, this isn’t the name of our new church…hmmm.
Rather, it was a “blessing” if you will, an encouraging word, from an encouraging e-mail that I received from Pastor Jim Walters of Bear Valley Church.
(yes, THAT Bear Valley Church)
His email was in response to one I sent him. I won’t put the whole email here, but he did take quite a bit of time and effort in his reply to my question.
He spoke about the church of the future – the Church of 2020.
In this church:
“a) NO audience at all. People will gather in the round, likely in groups of under 20, and each person will bring a word, song, prayer, idea, teaching, something.
b) attending will be an "active experience of participation," not a "passive attendance at some event". People will hear something (a message, a song, scripture, prayer) but also see something, DO something, SAY something, touch something (another person, or an object that's used as a prop, or modeling clay, or paintbrush, food, Lord's Supper elements) but you get the idea: come to church 2020 and DO things: talk, touch, eat, paint, sing, model clay, cook, clean, teach, play... don't just sit.
c) this new church may gather one Fri nite a month, at some retreat place, and stay til Sunday noon. They may only meet once a month other than in small groups.
d) this new thing won't need a bldg, or a budget, or a big paid staff. They will give most of the offerings to the poor, or to missions, or to a member in need.
e) likely won't even be incorporated. Might be incorporated as a non profit. (By the way, if you do write some by laws and some articles of faith, and file them w/ sec of state in your state, you'll be a non profit. You do not have to file with IRS to get non profit/ tax exempt status, churches have it automatically"
In short, what the church of 2020 will be, is a Fellowship…a true Fellowship.
Rather, it was a “blessing” if you will, an encouraging word, from an encouraging e-mail that I received from Pastor Jim Walters of Bear Valley Church.
(yes, THAT Bear Valley Church)
His email was in response to one I sent him. I won’t put the whole email here, but he did take quite a bit of time and effort in his reply to my question.
He spoke about the church of the future – the Church of 2020.
In this church:
“a) NO audience at all. People will gather in the round, likely in groups of under 20, and each person will bring a word, song, prayer, idea, teaching, something.
b) attending will be an "active experience of participation," not a "passive attendance at some event". People will hear something (a message, a song, scripture, prayer) but also see something, DO something, SAY something, touch something (another person, or an object that's used as a prop, or modeling clay, or paintbrush, food, Lord's Supper elements) but you get the idea: come to church 2020 and DO things: talk, touch, eat, paint, sing, model clay, cook, clean, teach, play... don't just sit.
c) this new church may gather one Fri nite a month, at some retreat place, and stay til Sunday noon. They may only meet once a month other than in small groups.
d) this new thing won't need a bldg, or a budget, or a big paid staff. They will give most of the offerings to the poor, or to missions, or to a member in need.
e) likely won't even be incorporated. Might be incorporated as a non profit. (By the way, if you do write some by laws and some articles of faith, and file them w/ sec of state in your state, you'll be a non profit. You do not have to file with IRS to get non profit/ tax exempt status, churches have it automatically"
In short, what the church of 2020 will be, is a Fellowship…a true Fellowship.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
The Church Uleashed read through...
Okay, the first read through is done with “Unleashing The Church.”
Inspired – is the first word that comes to mind. A whole new way of looking at how a church CAN operate and in such a way that those involved are because they are vested in the church and (more importantly) WANT to – not because they feel obligated to.
The second word that comes to mind, though, is – Daunted. How does one even start? Where does one even look?
Guess that’s what we take to God. Hope and pray he shows the path, opens the doors, reveals the plan…
And, if you are wondering if Bear Valley – the church described in the book is even still around.
Yes it is: http://www.bvchurch.org/
So, second time through here we go.
Inspired – is the first word that comes to mind. A whole new way of looking at how a church CAN operate and in such a way that those involved are because they are vested in the church and (more importantly) WANT to – not because they feel obligated to.
The second word that comes to mind, though, is – Daunted. How does one even start? Where does one even look?
Guess that’s what we take to God. Hope and pray he shows the path, opens the doors, reveals the plan…
And, if you are wondering if Bear Valley – the church described in the book is even still around.
Yes it is: http://www.bvchurch.org/
So, second time through here we go.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Unleashing the Church Methodology...
Well, it just so happens that I got the section of the book (The Church Unleashed) where the author goes into the “methodology” of unleashing a church.
The sections I was reading before were the “strategies” or theories, if you will, about the unleashed church.
And, well, the author in a way refuses to put down a single “method.” In other words, he advises that ministries should grow out of a “want-to” mentality. That resources and such will come out of strategy sessions (NOT committee meetings) and that ministries may come and go as the want – not need – get filled or not.
In an example he wrote: will we have a vacation Bible school next year? Only if someone wants to lead it.
Sounds a bit funny, doesn’t it?
BUT…it also stands to reason. If someone wants to have VBS that bad, they will make it happen and that will most likely result in a better VBS than one where someone takes it over because the church “should” have one.
The author points out that church should not (is not) a one size fits all for everyone – every church is different. While you may get an idea for a ministry from one, you most likely wouldn’t be able to run it the same way. It’s a different church, with different people.
I just started this section, bear with me…
The sections I was reading before were the “strategies” or theories, if you will, about the unleashed church.
And, well, the author in a way refuses to put down a single “method.” In other words, he advises that ministries should grow out of a “want-to” mentality. That resources and such will come out of strategy sessions (NOT committee meetings) and that ministries may come and go as the want – not need – get filled or not.
In an example he wrote: will we have a vacation Bible school next year? Only if someone wants to lead it.
Sounds a bit funny, doesn’t it?
BUT…it also stands to reason. If someone wants to have VBS that bad, they will make it happen and that will most likely result in a better VBS than one where someone takes it over because the church “should” have one.
The author points out that church should not (is not) a one size fits all for everyone – every church is different. While you may get an idea for a ministry from one, you most likely wouldn’t be able to run it the same way. It’s a different church, with different people.
I just started this section, bear with me…
Friday, November 13, 2009
More "Unleashing" of a church...
It doesn't stop amazing me, this book.
I just finished a chapter on “Major Ministries” with modest facilities and how much more of a benefit it is.
How increase space, and land, and assets (needlessly) just create more liabilities. Also, how even with an expanding congregation, a church can still be modest in size while “connecting” people and providing genuine, productive ministries – it just take imagination and motivation.
Truly this church had the idea of not only unleashing the church, but its people…THAT is a church I could support and would love to see.
A church truly for and by people.
I can’t wait to finish this book so I can reread it again right away…
I just finished a chapter on “Major Ministries” with modest facilities and how much more of a benefit it is.
How increase space, and land, and assets (needlessly) just create more liabilities. Also, how even with an expanding congregation, a church can still be modest in size while “connecting” people and providing genuine, productive ministries – it just take imagination and motivation.
Truly this church had the idea of not only unleashing the church, but its people…THAT is a church I could support and would love to see.
A church truly for and by people.
I can’t wait to finish this book so I can reread it again right away…
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Church Unleashed...more thoughts.
This book has been inspiring in more ways than I originally thought. Funny how their thoughts and ideas are so simple, yet you don’t see churches DOING it.
In fact, the author writes about how churches don’t seem to “trust” the laity for ministries and if the “laity” become or start a ministry, they are usually bogged down in committees and “controlled” in such ways.
What is sad, though, is how far church HASN’T come in over twenty years.
In fact, the author writes about how churches don’t seem to “trust” the laity for ministries and if the “laity” become or start a ministry, they are usually bogged down in committees and “controlled” in such ways.
What is sad, though, is how far church HASN’T come in over twenty years.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Ask and you shall receive...Book 2!
Here's a quote from the second book I got...
"...many churches are introverted, concerned about attracting larger and larger congregations to their pulpit-centered services, increasing their budgets, improving and expanding their facilities while their members remain afflicted with arthritic spectatoritis."
Talk about timely and relevant! I tell you, this speaks to what I have experienced lately...
Oh, wait, this book was published in 1982!
It's call "The Church Unleashed: Getting God's People Out Where the Needs Are."
And I believe it has hit close to what I believe this ministry is about: "[A] Focus on Getting God's people out where there are sin and pain and need."
I have only just began this book as well (now five I am reading, in total) but it still speaks volumes, even (if not more so) today!
In short, so far as I can gather, the book challenges churches to "get out" with various ministries, rather than just focusing on bigger, flashier, and newer churches.
To quote:
"Forget about bringing people in...forget about institutional success...forget about binding members to an organization with ties of loyalty, cords of convivial programming, and busy intramural involvement. Focus on unshackling members, motivating them to give time and energy beyond any ecclesiastical ghetto. Forget about growth as an end in itself. And, paradoxically, growth will take place as the by-product of a ministry that refuses to be self-centered and self-serving."
To that, all I can say is, Amen.
"...many churches are introverted, concerned about attracting larger and larger congregations to their pulpit-centered services, increasing their budgets, improving and expanding their facilities while their members remain afflicted with arthritic spectatoritis."
Talk about timely and relevant! I tell you, this speaks to what I have experienced lately...
Oh, wait, this book was published in 1982!
It's call "The Church Unleashed: Getting God's People Out Where the Needs Are."
And I believe it has hit close to what I believe this ministry is about: "[A] Focus on Getting God's people out where there are sin and pain and need."
I have only just began this book as well (now five I am reading, in total) but it still speaks volumes, even (if not more so) today!
In short, so far as I can gather, the book challenges churches to "get out" with various ministries, rather than just focusing on bigger, flashier, and newer churches.
To quote:
"Forget about bringing people in...forget about institutional success...forget about binding members to an organization with ties of loyalty, cords of convivial programming, and busy intramural involvement. Focus on unshackling members, motivating them to give time and energy beyond any ecclesiastical ghetto. Forget about growth as an end in itself. And, paradoxically, growth will take place as the by-product of a ministry that refuses to be self-centered and self-serving."
To that, all I can say is, Amen.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
What is a church?
Just a little brain picking here.
What do you think defines a church?
What is the purpose of a (the) church?
Is the current trend of churches moving in the right/wrong direction?
What would you like to see in a church?
Would you even like an "organized" church?
No bashing here, just building and brain picking.
I have been in conflict with churches as of late. Mainly with their teachings and messages - I won't go into them here, no reason to.
Maybe, though, I have a "wrong" impression of what a church is supposed to be...OR do we, are we, to make "little churches?"
I guess I don't know...does it matter in the end?
What do you think defines a church?
What is the purpose of a (the) church?
Is the current trend of churches moving in the right/wrong direction?
What would you like to see in a church?
Would you even like an "organized" church?
No bashing here, just building and brain picking.
I have been in conflict with churches as of late. Mainly with their teachings and messages - I won't go into them here, no reason to.
Maybe, though, I have a "wrong" impression of what a church is supposed to be...OR do we, are we, to make "little churches?"
I guess I don't know...does it matter in the end?
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