Church
Another Day Along the Way
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Another day,
Church is a hot topic these days. Mega-churches get most of the attention. Or, churches facing conflict and crisis. New trends, old traditions, poor decisions, big dreams, modern technology, known names. For various reasons, churches can hit the headlines.
Churches with normal attendance host meetings in small buildings in our cities and towns. Little is said about their consistency, their faithfulness, their endurance. New reports tell us again and again about political views, inappropriate remarks, and moral failures. But many unknown people attend unknown facilities to hear their not-so-famous pastors preach never-to-be-heard-again sermons.
Not much attention. Few headlines. Rare interest. But that might be where Jesus attended if He rode His bike into a small town.
Revival services, political sermons, experiential worship, traditional liturgy, contemporary technology, fascinating facilities. We have a lot. But we also have frightening numbers of bruised believers too battered to attend any church of any size. I pray God brings us a season of healing, of forgiveness, of change. A season of church - true church.
I've experienced it this summer in many settings. A normal Sunday morning service where people do their best to sing and proclaim truth. A denominational gathering focusing more on experiencing God than keeping the business running. Family time in gyms and restaurants and cars and homes. Alone-with-God time. A prayer walk. The graduation of our youngest son as his two brothers, his parents and grandparents watched his welcome into an unknown future. Gathering with epilepsy patients, care-givers, and health care professionals as we seek to learn how to survive and thrive in overcoming weaknesses. On a boat. At a game. Walking. Talking. Listening. Praying with a doctor before he leaves on a mission trip. Nodding at a friend as he tells me his pain. Interviewing David Wilcox and listening to his words, his music, his thoughts, his passion.
Living as the church can happen on Sundays in Sanctuaries. It can also occur at airports, ping-pong tables, business meetings, and cafes. It is possible while laughing or crying or thinking or dreaming.
How are you and "church" these days? Have you been hurt? Do you still allow past pain to grow, influencing present and future decisions? What better options do you have?
Consider experiencing God and church wherever you go. By doing so, you might let God have a chance to give you a better view of life inside the walls of your heart. And toward "church." He might teach you how to make a difference while He is making you different.
I hope that's what He is doing with me.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Powerful Statement: Read the Bible wisely, but understand that reading for transformation is different from reading to find information or to prove a point. (The Life You've Always Wanted, John Ortberg)
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Another day,
Church is a hot topic these days. Mega-churches get most of the attention. Or, churches facing conflict and crisis. New trends, old traditions, poor decisions, big dreams, modern technology, known names. For various reasons, churches can hit the headlines.
Churches with normal attendance host meetings in small buildings in our cities and towns. Little is said about their consistency, their faithfulness, their endurance. New reports tell us again and again about political views, inappropriate remarks, and moral failures. But many unknown people attend unknown facilities to hear their not-so-famous pastors preach never-to-be-heard-again sermons.
Not much attention. Few headlines. Rare interest. But that might be where Jesus attended if He rode His bike into a small town.
Revival services, political sermons, experiential worship, traditional liturgy, contemporary technology, fascinating facilities. We have a lot. But we also have frightening numbers of bruised believers too battered to attend any church of any size. I pray God brings us a season of healing, of forgiveness, of change. A season of church - true church.
I've experienced it this summer in many settings. A normal Sunday morning service where people do their best to sing and proclaim truth. A denominational gathering focusing more on experiencing God than keeping the business running. Family time in gyms and restaurants and cars and homes. Alone-with-God time. A prayer walk. The graduation of our youngest son as his two brothers, his parents and grandparents watched his welcome into an unknown future. Gathering with epilepsy patients, care-givers, and health care professionals as we seek to learn how to survive and thrive in overcoming weaknesses. On a boat. At a game. Walking. Talking. Listening. Praying with a doctor before he leaves on a mission trip. Nodding at a friend as he tells me his pain. Interviewing David Wilcox and listening to his words, his music, his thoughts, his passion.
Living as the church can happen on Sundays in Sanctuaries. It can also occur at airports, ping-pong tables, business meetings, and cafes. It is possible while laughing or crying or thinking or dreaming.
How are you and "church" these days? Have you been hurt? Do you still allow past pain to grow, influencing present and future decisions? What better options do you have?
Consider experiencing God and church wherever you go. By doing so, you might let God have a chance to give you a better view of life inside the walls of your heart. And toward "church." He might teach you how to make a difference while He is making you different.
I hope that's what He is doing with me.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Powerful Statement: Read the Bible wisely, but understand that reading for transformation is different from reading to find information or to prove a point. (The Life You've Always Wanted, John Ortberg)
10 Comments:
Wow! That really makes a person think. I often forget that church is supposed to be more than just Sundays and Wednesdays. I admit I have fallen into the habit of "playing church". Thanks for the reminder of how God intended it to be.
I have met many people who have been wounded in a church and never returned. They struggle to maintain their relationship with God because they try to go it alone. Or, they find a church where they can be invisible and no one ever even knows they are there or not there. Sad.
Too much of the world has gotten into too many churches. We have either let it sneak in or in some cases we have held the door side open for it to come in. The reason most people in the world don't attend a formal church meeting is because most churches have little more to offer than they can get on the street--without the condemnation.
I think the important thing to remember about church is to make it a place where we can seek, serve and worship God and nothing else. But we have to serve Him outside the church walls because that is where the people who need Him most are.
Thanks Chris. So much of what you wrote is what I've been thinking about. YOu need to tell me more about the Wilcox concert too though!
sd
Me too. I hope thats what he is doing in my life. Do you know how bad I have been hurt in church? Do you know how I feel everytime I go by that place I served for so many years? It is rough, Chris. Keep on praying for me my friend. I need it.
R.
Good words, Chris.
Thanks C. A gentle reminder to move on despite the hurt. Church is a place to serve and minister and draw closer to God and others. So, who says it has to be in a specific location at a specific time. I pray that I learn to be at church from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same. Miss you :)
I agree with this...I believe that so many times church goers, myself included, forget that church isn't about them and their preferences. Church is about Him and glorifying who He is with other believers. Church is us, individually and corporately.
why is it though that when you go to church people discriminate against you by not only your skin but also where you were raised and your family history?
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