I agree with you Jill, I definately want to stay in the backround and just focus on whats really important, my relationship with Christ. Listening to the message and trying to figure out what directly relates to me and what Christ is specifically trying to tell me. However I was complelled last week to speak my mind and make myself known. Im not sure why, it just happened and I didnt feel out of place.
As for traditions, one of the topics I felt compelled to contribute to, they seem to be a shelter for the guilty. They feel that just going relives them of the responsibility of they're actions over the week. If people go to church for traditions sake they are disabling the real power of actually going there to be moved, influenced and recharged with the spirit. I think that only happens when I surround myself with other christians and suddenly I dont feel apprehensive about my relationship with Christ and the door to my heart and soul is wide open. I think thats why I get so emotional at church because suddenly there is no barrier between me and Christ, its a direct line. Its incredible and I know if I can get out of my own way then Christ can really get to work.
I think Dads last paragraph really nails it Jill, there are no rules when it comes to fellowship with Christ as often as you want and in many different formats, how liberating. Throw tradition to the wind and let go of your cynicism. Traditions became traditions because they dont change, and often lack of change leads to complacency. Complacency kills, as my drill instructor used to say all time.
I figured Id make it a post instead...
I think there are actually several ways in which churches have been getting away from what their core responsibility is; which is building up believers. Instead they are focusing on chasing non-believers around and fooling them into attending church events by advertising them as football parties or game nights or whatever. I don’t understand why so many churches think they need to hunt non-believers down like cattle and lasso them and drag them back to camp. Why don’t they build up their actual members, educate them and encourage them to live quiet, dignified, Christ-seeking lives and be prepared to impact those who naturally cross their path. Am I wrong here?
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to me that your plan was to lay low and focus on your relationsip with the Lord. It seems the Lord had other plans. From our phone conversation, the result was that you were drawn closer to the leader of the group who was deeply appreciative of your attendance and participation. I'm anxious to hear what this week's meeting will bring!
ReplyDeleteDue to circumstances beyond our control, we have been absent from church for months. We have been frustrated in years past trying to find a congregation where we "fit in". Maybe such a place doesn't exist! But Alderwood is a very nice place that has a lot on the ball and a couple of teaching pastors who are very good. We have enjoyed worshipping there.
I think that's where we have "landed" - a place we can worship, even if we don't feel we really fit in. Our good friends Mel and Donna go there and we really like sitting with them. I think Mel is a little more involved with a men's group.
One interesting result of careful and persistant reading and study of the word for me has been an unfortunate bias against certain pervasive beliefs in most modern churches, together with a disaffection for the "upper class social club" atmosphere that often pervades "successful" churches. I'm struggling with how to deal with the problem, because I know that fellowship is foundational to the Christian life. Put me on your prayer list.
To answer your questin, Beans, it's because of a specious interpretation of Matthew 28:19ff; the so-called "Great Commision". Back in the 1790's, a fellow named William Carey, called the father of modern missions (see the Wikipedia article on him) convinced the Baptist church that Jesus' teaching in the passage was binding on the church, not just the twelve. He then started the Baptist Missionary Society. The modern "home version" of this doctrine is the modern neighborhood evangelization programs. And some surprisingly astute preachers and teachers have bought the idea!
ReplyDeleteAnd you're right, it has become the consuming value in most churches, eclipsing "building up one another."
These two issues, together with the program orientation of most churches today, are the pet peeves I alluded to above. It makes it hard for me to not be cynical, which is the wrong attitude. But that's why Joli and I are trying to be content with a church where we can at least worship. The fact that the pastors are really very good is a bonus.
I found a couple of challenging things on the web this morning while sifting through a Google search on "Why should I go to church?" Most was the standard stuff, which begs our question, "What does it mean to go to church?". But these two stood out.
ReplyDelete"You can be a Christian and not go to church in the same way that you can be a family member and never visit anyone."
Then this quote from Romans: “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” (Rom. 12:4-5)
My final thought was about "growing cold". That's the scarriest one for me. What if through neglect of fellowhip, my heart grows cold. Will I end up like the seed in the shallow soil, or the seed among the thorns?
I feel like I have a skeptical outlook regarding going to church because I feel like the good feeling that you get from worshipping is false. I think I feel that way because so many songs are mindlessly repetitive/meditative for the sake of purposely creating that good feeling. When I was younger, I used to think that when I was ‘moved’ by worship, it was proof that I was a believer, but now I feel like maybe I am being duped by the pretty music. I have had this thought for a while. I think it scares me because I have no way of knowing if I will end up cold or not if I don’t have something that I can point to as proof of faith.
ReplyDeleteOkay, so we've unloaded our respective trucks and gotten our reasons on the table for why we don't attend church, at least not regularly. My next question is, what should we do about it? Are our reasons valid excuses, or should we be trying to make some changes? If we are taking the warning seriously about growing cold, what are we going to do to prevent that most serious and fearful result? This is an honest question, not a leading question. What should we do?
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed it when we had family bible study. In lieu of that, I have been contemplating going to church at least to worship even though I may never join a small group or other activities. I have also been contemplating having more family get-togethers. I think it was good when Paul's parents had burger night each week. I don't think that is feasible for our family considering the size and geographical locations of our family, etc. But, we could have open-ended get-togethers more often. People who are available and wanting to can come and others can pass. I actually have been thinking of doing this for a while now. Maybe our first one can be for the Apple Cup.
ReplyDelete