Last Sunday morning at CREW, Ryan spoke about the mission of "the church." He talked about the fact that we focus on the church so much, instead of the mission...when it should really be the other way around. He's so right. Without the mission, there is no church, so why are we so worried about tightening up the church, and becoming a close body of believers? Granted, that's not harmful in most circumstances, it's when that takes priority over reaching out to the lost that it really screws things up.
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1.8
When did we forget about that part of this thing we call Christianity? Why is it all about us?
Remember....it's not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick....why are we medicating those who don't need it? Our efforts could be put to much better use elsewhere.
In small group last week, we kind of did a follow up, and just went deeper into discussion about all of this. One of the questions we discussed is "Is there anyone that you would not want to bring to church?" and what most of us agreed on in regards to this is yes. It's not because we would be embarassed for said person we are bringing, but for how they might be treated. Honestly, I'm guilty of it too, maybe I'm not as upfront about it as some people are, but my first reaction, when I see someone in the church who may not look like they "belong," is to have judgemental thoughts about them.
So what do we do about this? We don't bring "these kinds" of people to the church for fear that they will feel out of place. They probably will because we have gotten so used to our little group of Christians who puts on their cute Sunday clothes and brushes their hair for church. We go through the motions.....it's all the same. We need to get the church used to people like this......there are people all around us who are not even close to looking like we do or acting like we act. Guess what, guys? THAT'S OK!!! *gasp* You mean people with facial piercings and mohawks can actually come to church? You mean a teenage girl who's pregnant is allowed in church?!
It's true, get used to it. Now, how can we bring these people in without other judgemental people ruining their first experience in a place that is supposed to be loving and accepting? I don't know, and that bothers me. Alot.
Gimme your thoughts.
Why are we so freaking lame?
17 comments:
I'm not gonna click on that, for fear of what lies behind it. You won't pull me into your trap sir, no way.
I think we especially need to keep this is mind:
"Let you who are without sin cast the first stone."
That's a good one. But we also shouldn't rationalize and claim that that gets us off the hook.
remember that one time when we drove in my car and you talked about this and I ALREADY KNEW ABOUT THIS POST?!! and then i read it and i was like "hey yeah, i already know your awesomeness"? i remember it quite well.
oh the joys of being sooo cool.and informed. and involved. man. i love my little natalia. so precious. po srecious.
...what makes you think it's late? psshhhhhhhh.
if you love little natalia, raise your hand!
::raises hand::
One time I spent too much time on that embedded system...man did that suck. I couldn't figure anything out and I wasn't able to subscribe to anything until I got up off the embedded system...and then everything was okay again ya know? It was just a dark time in my life.
[raises hand]
Velocity patronizes this ridiculously, not so much on purpose, but it comes from all the wrong people..not that there's a right person to make these accusations, but when leaders are guilty of making false judgements concerning strangers ((or not strangers)), it just becomes unacceptable. One girl came for her second or third time, and was wearing a lower cut shirt, and one of the leaders at Velocity asked her to put on something more modest, or leave ((not those exact words, but basically)) It kinda makes you wanna kick someone in the hoo hoo dilly, but what's a girl to do? Kick someone in the [NADS]? k!
I disagree with your point. I think that as a Church we focus too much on "evangelism" and not enough on building real community within the church. Getting people to become Christian is great, but then what? I don't believe that they are in any way equipped to go out and try to convert other people right off the spot. We all need to be fed, to grow, to get closer to God and to eachother. We shouldn't have to use cheap tricks and cliches to get people to come to church -- it should be something that they want to come to because they see something they don't have. It should be a place where there are deep friendships, joy, a community of people experiencing life together in love, accepting and nurturing eachother. If we could make church like that then we wouldn't have to try so hard to convince people that Christianity is worthwhile, it would be evident. Peter says to "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." When is the last time someone came up to you and asked you why you have so much hope? I've never been asked that. Has anyone ever said anything along the lines of "It seems like Christians have something I'm missing. I want to have what they have because their lives seem so much better" I've only heard a few people say anything like that. If its not clear to people that we have something desirable then of course its going to be a struggle to get them to want it. And when all they see in church is a bunch of people doing their own thing, focused on getting more people to become Christians, its not very appealing. I don't say this to imply that we ought to try to make the church appealing to people. Rather, I'm saying that if the church is not better than the world then people are not going to want to be in the church. I believe that the church was meant to be something life giving. A community of faith and love that promotes corporate and personal growth. A place where people can trust eachother and be vulnerable. The perception that the church only exists to tell people how to live and convert people is widespread in America today. If all we focus on is converting people then that is exactly what we will become.
In short, I agree that we should focus on ourselves less. But I don't think that means we put most of our effort into converting other people. I think, unless we are called as evangelists (which some people are and some are not), then our main responsibility is to help make the church healthy. It is the Bride of Christ and the only body we belong to worth keeping alive. As such its health is part of our sacred duty as priests and priestesses. Part of making the church healthy is making it grow in size, but at least as important is making it grow in depth, and that is where we fail the most, I think. Make the church a place where genuine love and life take place and you won't have to work so hard to make converts. In fact, we might find them coming to us on their own.
I agree with you...in a way.
Yes, many churches seem to focus on "evangelism"....meaning that they wanna go out and save all the people they can, just so the church can build up their numbers. ( I realize not everyone is like this, I'm just speaking in generalities here.)
I agree with you that we need a sense of community, and I think that some churches do have that. My point was that I don't want the fact that we are such a tight knit group to prevent us from letting other (perhaps non-Christian) people into it. I have nothing against being close and unified, as long as you are open to sharing that with other people.
I think that is where we screw up. People may see the unity we have and say "ooh that's nice, I'd like to be a part of that," but when they come and experience judgment and criticism, it turns them off.
That was the main point I was trying to get across, and I'm sorry if I didn't make that clear. Community is fantastic...everyone needs it, including the outsiders.
Well I think churches suck in general.
Because they are run by people and not God
Well one time I was smiling with some pants on but then they weren't there anymore but I was still smiling. But that had nothing to do with it reallly. See what had happened was I never really was wearing any pants the entire time. That doesn't mean I was naked...it just means I didn't have pants on ya know? There are several other choices besides pants to put on in the morning so I don't see why you think I am naked just cause I am smiling with no pants on...all that is to say that I want you know something else. I want to extend to you an invitation to the pants party.
I agree with Greg. And Phil, what have I told you about wearing pants?
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b244/NifferB/SisterhoodofPhilsPants.jpg
Yeah, Jen, that's definitely not the worst Photoshop job I've ever seen.
Hey thanks! 'Cause I definitely spent a good majority of my well spent life on it!
Excuse me sir, I cannot tolerate such language in my blog...
also.
you are no longer considered a Christian, mkay?
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