Church vs. Social Club
Patrick Mead has another great post up at Tent Pegs, his insight about what the church is — and isn’t — is veeeeery convicting! Here’s a little taste:
Jesus did not go to Calvary so I don’t have to go to the movies by myself . . .
We do not need to turn churches into social clubs for the religiously inclined. We do not need to look at it as a hospital, either (Oooohhh…. listen to the knees jerk! They sound like crickets!). Hospitals exist to make us feel better, be healed, and ready to re-engage our previous lives. Emergency Room waiting areas don’t look like heaven to me (more like… you know…).
Although I agree that this isn’t the church’s main purpose, I think there is a legitimate ‘filling up’ we get from Sunday worship before we go back into the weekly fray. But Patrick’s right. There’s a whole other purpose there, one we tend to forget.
Share ThisChurch is where we go to worship the God who didn’t leave us in the ditch, who created us in His image, who gifted us and placed us as He desired, and who then gave us other people on the same road with whom to pray and whom we can serve.
July 19th, 2006 at 1:33 pm
This looks like a terrific essay.
Humorous, but honest and direct.
July 20th, 2006 at 9:56 am
I loved this post for several reasons. When I first went to Trenton I was amazed by the not so niceness of people there. For months I would show up and walk down the halls, smile and even say hi to people and no one would respond. It was awful to endure it, especially when you would directly say hi to someone and they would walk right past you. But I loved the message and that is why I kept on going.
It’s been a year and a half now and I still know only a handful of people there but I don’t care. The people that matter will find their way to me and the rest, well oh well.
After all of that though, I still feel really bad that I don’t volunteer as much as I should. Especially for the children’s ministry. The fact of the matter is that I am super busy with other areas and don’t have time, plus I don’t want to, it’s not my calling. I am devoting my whole life to recovering alcholics, addicts and their families. I do dog rescue. I coach a 4-H group. I help out with the video presentations for church weekly, but no one knows this. These are my passions, teaching Sunday school, ummmmm not so much.
So why is it that I feel guilty for not volunteering more with the children’s ministry??? Could it be that deep down I really do “care” about what others at church think??? Of course that is what it is and I am mad about it!!! I volunteered for VBS and I am mad about it. Especially considering that I have a dog in boarding still that needs to be visited, I have another foster I have to re-home before I move. I took on the added responsibility of doing applications for another rescue group that a friend started. I have a house to clean and paint so I can move in. I have a house to clean and pack so I can move out. I have 4-H fair week coming up the week after VBS. And I have orientation for school coming up, books to buy and other stuff to get ready for that as well.
I am so “busy” doing things that are just as “Christian” that don’t involve the “church” so why is it that I feel guilty for not doing more for the church?????
July 20th, 2006 at 10:18 am
Tammy, I think that’s where his point falls a little short. I think that church IS a community where we are fed AS WELL AS a launching point for activities outside the church. I think we long for community in Christ, and the church is where that community should be happening.
I think your comments are very interesting when I hear all the time at TCOC that we are such a ‘friendly’ church. I think that sometimes we hear that and sigh a sigh of relief, “Whew, we got that one right, let’s work on something else now.” I cringe everytime I hear that from the pulpit or from elders/deacons, whomever, because I know of people who have come to TCOC and left because they just never felt welcomed or found their niche. I’m glad you stayed, Tammy! About the guilt thing — I do the same thing with Sunday school/Kidz Praise. It is NOT my main ministry (the praise team is), it is something I just do not do well. Having said that, my children are involved and I feel like I need to contribute as long as they are. For you, a single parent, your time is precious and you need to balance your ministry to Joey with your ministries outside your home, both in church and beyond. At least VBS is only 4 days this year!
July 23rd, 2006 at 9:53 pm
Interesting…I’m going to have to think on that one a bit more.
July 26th, 2006 at 2:05 pm
Gem,
Thank you so much for the sweet comments you made on my blog site! I can use all the prayers I can get! I will say a prayer for your 6 year olds yeast infections. When doctors won’t tell me why I get something, I tend to start looking elsewhere–like natural and homeopathic remedies. Sometimes those are enough to do the trick.
I LOVE your web site! I homeschool too!
Take care and stay cool in this summer heat!
God Bless
Jody