Doing Church the Old Fashioned Way
Remember the old Smith Barney investment broker's commercials? The old codger spoke to the young fellow, "They make money the old fashioned way.... they earn it."
Well, we here at 3Strand have been discussing the issues surrounding the current operations of church. Is it possible that our interest and the interest of the emergent church folks are indeed a right (correct, appropriate, commendable) evaluative step to refocus our energies on the most important stuff. Are we simply attempting to Simplify Church or "keep the first things first"? That's a Biblical principle right? What is the kernel? What are the non-negotiables of church activity?
Where does commitment come into the picture? When push comes to shove, we will choose the thing that is most important to us. A refusal to give God the first place is seldom to replace him with a disgusting vice or horrendous idol. It is more often than not a slight deviation; we replace God with a falsely inflated or deflated facsimile of who we really are supposed to be worshipping. I do not believe that we always miss "it" (worship and practical theology) by miles -- at least not at first. I believe that we have bought into the ecstatic worship culture and the buzz for so long that we are hooked on the hard stuff. Maybe we need a little church detox.
That is why communal living seems so foreign to us. We have bought into the rugged individualistic mindset too long. We have seen the ravages of self-centered abuse of such systems to the community. We are better left alone to our own stuff. Religion is after all a personal matter -- you dare not ask me about mine, and I will not ask you about yours.
We might have to start small and rebuild the essential of community again. We might have to re-learn how to trust one another with the confessions and prayer of/for each other. That's not natural!! Community is not natural for guys especially. But just because it is hard work to earn that kind of living, let's not give up. Good things, valuable things will cost us something. Are you willing to invest?
Investing for the future,
Mike
posted by Pastor Mike Paris @ 8:26 AM
3 Comments:
Sounds a bit Amish....I knew I should have bought Gram and Gramp's farm! I have thought about going "off the grid" alot lately.
I must say, it is much easier to joke about your post than attempt to implement it!
Church Detox....That's extreme. What/ who would be left if we stripped away all of the extras that have been attached to church? Is detox any easier for a congregation of 50 vs. one with 500?
The core of the church
1. love God
2. love others
3. make disciples
3rd,
You are so right! It is easier to poke holes in someone's suggestion than offer to try it out. You are not alone there. I do the same thing! I would rather rant at the charismatic church down the road for their bad theology of eternal security than look at the way they demonstrate that people matter to them because people matter to God.
The whole going off the grid thing does sound appealing at first. There is a certain overload that does come into our rat-race existence that drives us back to peace. But look at Jesus. He had some serious unplug, get away from the crowds moments in his career. They are okay. I love the Elijah one, where he hangs out by the brook Kidron until the trouble passes.
Great summary of the church model. And I think you have them in the correct order. Great Commandments (Matt 22:37-39) + Great Commission (Matt 28:19-20)! My sentiments exactly. So where does having the best worship band in town come in? Is it okay if I get a DLP projector to display hymns on the wall?
Let's keep sweating this stuff out of our systems. eventually we will be distilled enough to actually be pure worshippers/lovers of God.
#1
btw-
church detox is never easy. The church of 50 only knows one way to do it. the church of 500 will disband if you don't have enough program for them.
PS -- these are broad overgeneralizations presented in a sarcastic, tongue in cheek way. Remember it is easier to throw stones than pick them up and move them!
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