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Roy here. So... the big question this weekend, and the next two weeks, is "why do church?" There are alot of reasons that people go to church: Guilt, obligation, pride, social, looking to find a spouse or a date, etc. etc. But, what is church supposed to be? Why should we gather together and do the things we do in church? What is the church supposed to look like? I'm sure you all have thoughts on this. I invite anyone to come, and we'll put our heads and our hearts together and dig out the Truth on this one. Afterall, it's kind of important: I still remember one man who's pride had grown so great that he refused to attend any church, because they were all too dumb for him. He also had very little love in his heart, and spent his time preaching on college campuses (which basically amounted to calling the women whores, and generally throwing insults at people).
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Comment by Phil on 2008-02-01 22:06:51
This is presently an extremely relevant question for me. In fact, I have recently been plagued with the question “Should I even do this church thing any longer?” I’ve seen so many unsavory things in the name of church during my life that I have, yet again, begun to question its validity in my walk with God. I have seen church in other countries done in a way that seemed useful to God’s kingdom and humanity, but I am very disappointed in the well established American formula for church. We must understand that we often refer to the church as the body of Christ, but is it really? I’m fairly certain that the physical location of a church “service” is not the body of Christ, so we must be referring to a gathering of Christ’s followers, when we equate church to the body of Christ. The Bible’s instruction to forsake not the gathering together of the saints as we see that day approaching, as well as, its reassurance that wherever two or more are gathered in His name that there He will be, are foundational scriptures for the creation of “Church.” However, I think that today’s American formula for how this gathering should be accomplished leaves much room for pause. We are all expected to make the giant leap of faith that when God said these things He meant that we should go to an auditorium environment with a host (Pastor) coaching, cheerleading and cajoling us to get excited for God, lots of music at the beginning and maybe a little bit at the end with an alter call for good measure. Now, I’ve witnessed many versions of this formula in America and some are flashier and more appealing than others, but basically that’s the meeting called “Church.” Since we are a group of humans, we must have a political system of hierarchal authority added in for good measure as well (membership requirements, ushers, deacons and etc.). If the “Church” is to grow into a MEGA-Church then we will have to add in a bunch of really entertaining programs too! It’s not uncommon to have ones spirituality equated with how often he or she “goes to church,” so there must be something to this formula, right? Well, I’m not so sure! Maybe God looks at what we American Christians are doing and thinks to himself, “How could they get it so wrong? I went down there and showed them how to love, but they still want to create these ridiculous meetings where they yell out my name as though I can hardly hear them, and they are fed a morsel or two of wisdom, then go home and leave me at the Church until the next meeting.” Yet, my undeniable realization of how sinful (missing the mark) our current American ideal of what Church should be, doesn’t dissuade me from our basic need to gather together in His name. Thus, I am left with the quandary that you propose, Roy, “Why do Church?” And the answer I come up with is that we need to gather together. I just think that if we can agree that we should do “Church,” then the bigger question should be “How shall we do church in a way that pleases God?” Thoughts??? |
Comment by Paul on 2008-02-03 08:33:30
Phil;
Totally agree with all of your points.
I often go to different churches with my father in law as he is trying to find one that fits his needs. He asks me why I go with him as I do not believe in "Christianity". I go because I want to. It does not matter to me where I contact my God, but it is being in God's presence and feeling the contentment and peacefulness that attracts me.
The larger question of how do church in a way that pleases God is very relevant to the continuation of Christianity. Why it appears at this time in our society, bigger equates to better worship. I know of a congregation that is a Mega-church and they have an incedible outreach for kids that the building for their youth ministry is known by the kids as "chucky Jesus". It does not enhance their spirtually in one iota, but does allow then to entertain themselves while the parents are in service. I do like the LifeQuest method of raising questions and then discussing them to come to a consensus. Church to me is a mindset, for when I come to God it is because I want to discuss something that I feel needs to be said, asked, questioned or even acknowledge praise for a lesson or situation in my life. I don't know if the question should be how do we do church in a way that pleases God but rather how do we do church in a way that acknowledges the blessings and joy and love we have for God. Thoughts?? |
Comment by Phil on 2008-02-05 21:00:42
Paul,
Interesting background on you. I'm not sure I understand you claim to not be a Christian, but I'll explore that with you face-to-face. I think that your idea of doing church in a way that "acknowledges the blessings and joy and love we have for God" would most likely fit into the doing church in a way that pleases God category. I think that doing church in a way that pleases God will probably be much more than just that, but it definitely should include those things. |
Comment by Paul on 2008-02-05 22:48:08
Phil,
It's true that I would not qualify myself as a "Christian". I would say that I am a follower of the way of Christ, but do not accept all the nuances of the religion itself. Be glad to get with you in a face to face conversation on the differences. One of the problems that I have with the current church is that there is an atmosphere of guilt and unworthiness that is fostered in the services and the church itself. Yet, in Genesis, God states that humans were made to "be like us". As a parent I know that I do not find pleasure in my children feeling inadequate, unworthy, downtrodden or having to ask for forgiveness for everything that they do because they don't measure up. I believe God feels the same way, otherwise God would not have created us to eventually "be like us". I find that sometimes people take the God Pleasing to the other extreme to mean that we need to even more sorry and unworthy. You are correct in that I think that the more upbeat atmosphere would definitely please God. Maybe we should look at the church from the viewpoint as parents wanting to have a close relationship with our children. Instead of children trying to please their parents and not knowing how. That perspective may give us an insight on how to create that atmosphere that is missing and then accomplishing the goals that Bruce said the church was to uphold. |
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