....or is it? wee little man challenged me on my calling rant. he posed the question of whether it was actually the fault of the church for doing too much with too few people. interesting - i think i might have actually said this about 2 years ago at our leadership retreat. it was well received for about 3 months - and then the women desperately needed a bible study again.....oh boy, here we go...
so does the church do too much? in most cases yes. do we have too few people for what we do? in most cases no. the problem we really have is that the same few do the same things because we don't teach faith without deeds is dead. i mean, attending a bible study is not putting faith in action. it is just gaining more knowledge.
just recently, i was told i would need to move my children's sign-in because of the number of sign-ups for the women's minsitry. forgive me, if i offend here - i don't mean too, but are you serious???? we have that many things going on for just the women. ironically, if i had a sign up to help work with the children it would be a low priority and have maybe 1 signature.
we announce each and every week that it is so important to stay for the adult community groups. why don't we announce each week it is important to serve God in your church (and community and around the world)? why are our bible studies more important than teaching children, rocking babies, hanging with teens?
the initial question posed to me wants to say that if we did less we would have more workers. to some extent i agree with that - but only when we as leaders are willing to shift the culture of our church. people come to church to sit and get. not to serve and be challenged. i rarely sit through an entire sunday service. honestly, i don't get much at all from my church, atleast not in the way most people think - but i love serving there. i love helping those kids see Jesus. i love helping others find ways to use their gifts. i love challenging teens to live a full life for Jesus. and in that - i gain a whole lot!
so, wee little man, i firmly believe churches in america still do too much programming. but i also believe that while removing programs frees people up, people must still be taught to serve because they are called to.....only then will we see things change!
so does the church do too much? in most cases yes. do we have too few people for what we do? in most cases no. the problem we really have is that the same few do the same things because we don't teach faith without deeds is dead. i mean, attending a bible study is not putting faith in action. it is just gaining more knowledge.
just recently, i was told i would need to move my children's sign-in because of the number of sign-ups for the women's minsitry. forgive me, if i offend here - i don't mean too, but are you serious???? we have that many things going on for just the women. ironically, if i had a sign up to help work with the children it would be a low priority and have maybe 1 signature.
we announce each and every week that it is so important to stay for the adult community groups. why don't we announce each week it is important to serve God in your church (and community and around the world)? why are our bible studies more important than teaching children, rocking babies, hanging with teens?
the initial question posed to me wants to say that if we did less we would have more workers. to some extent i agree with that - but only when we as leaders are willing to shift the culture of our church. people come to church to sit and get. not to serve and be challenged. i rarely sit through an entire sunday service. honestly, i don't get much at all from my church, atleast not in the way most people think - but i love serving there. i love helping those kids see Jesus. i love helping others find ways to use their gifts. i love challenging teens to live a full life for Jesus. and in that - i gain a whole lot!
so, wee little man, i firmly believe churches in america still do too much programming. but i also believe that while removing programs frees people up, people must still be taught to serve because they are called to.....only then will we see things change!
Comments
After all we are His church, not a business or institution or social club. And He should flow out of us and if that isn't what is going on in each of our lives, what is the point anyway?
i often hear the "i don't feel led by the Spirit" as an excuse as well. and well, i completely understand that, but am i to assume that certain people never hear from the Holy Spirit? because those are generally the same people who are doing nothing.
we too often want to sit and wait, and yes, the Bible states to wait on Him, but I think we today take that a little too literally.
i believe we have instituinualized church greatly - and that if people in the church were truly living for Jesus, the Holy Spirit would be guiding them to serve - in some capacity and if that were the case we would never have to have this discussion. like i said earlier, i don't believe that God brings children to a church and then forgets to have the Spirit prompt people to work with them. i also don't think God brings the lost through a door and forgets to prompt people to greet them.
and frankly, i have the opinion that the only time someone can serve for the wrong reason is when it is for selfish gain.....
who are you by the way?
Can't offer you any fixes- but I have this really great book :)
I would say I understand Anon's point but I also understand you too. By not being really sensitive to the Spirit we miss opportunities He provides. And it becomes all about us and our coffee and cookies making small talk about our lives. Meanwhile, people are really hurting and a bunch of crazy kids need to hear about Jesus.
I join you in prayer. What a broken bride we are, in need of a Savior.
Service and ministry (faith in action) solidify and enhance our faith and should be a critical part of our spiritual formation.
We agree, too many programs/activities in a church dilute these experiences and actually undermine a church member's growth at times.
The solution...Simple Church and Think Orange?!