Thanks for your responses on the previous post. It has helped fuel this blog-series I’m attempting to tackle.
I’m going to be taking your responses, fleshing them out and exploring their implications on why we gather together as a church once a week for a time of worship. Here are the reasons that I’ll be investigating:
- obligation
- habit
- social outlet
- obedience
- to worship
- to give
- to receive something
- to learn
- sense of community
- to celebrate…
Have a good Monday.
Hello! Thanks for stopping by my slice o' the web. As you are likely aware, this my blog. On this blog, I share my thoughts and musings and encourage you to join the conversation. I only ask that you respect those who have already commented and, if you're able, me. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to 
how about ‘to receive something’ ?
Ah, good one. Thanks Kim.
moving away from the sun-wed pew model doesnt change anything in and of itself except maybe who might come (bc they wont go to sit in a pew).
one thing i get tired of is people thinking that if church is being done right it will be easy or even natural…feel right…you will automatically want to be in the community you are in, etc.
not true. being the body of Christ and what that means for community (and community doesnt even necessarily mean just everyone being friends) is HARD, intentional and a choice every single day, at least for me who can prefer to be very uninvolved and lazy a lot of the time.
Ive left the Sun - Wed pew model and for me thats a big deal because now I pastor but not because I know more than someone else who comes on Thurs nights and not because I have some degree that says I can preach or know the bible. Its brought me face to face with my neighborhood and shown me what it does look like to be like Jesus if I want to be and not like myself.
there have been moments over the past year when I have thought surely there is a back pew at a church somewhere where I could go and that would be better.
Not better but definitely easier.
So, why do we do all that? Why do we continue to try to get Gods point for Church. Why do we continue to try to understand words like “grace” and “forgivness.” I believe, because we can - at leat to the extent that it is possible while on this Earth.
And, regardless of what else one doesnt get we are supposed to set the captives free and bind up the broken hearted. We are called oaks of righteousness. When we look around this world or the church that we are familiar with and ask, “God, where are you!?” I believe that he answers, “Where are you?!” I put you here for a reason.
We arent trying to be seeker-sensative or relevant or whatever.
I dont know…maybe that is a little bit more of an answer than I gave previously.
In my experience, many people come every week so that they can complain to you about what they don’t like about the place that they come to every week.
Tradition. hundreds of years of tradition.
How about to comfort. To be comforted. To encourage. To be encouraged. To challenge. To be challenged. To remember (Communion). To recharge (renew). To exercise our spiritual senses (get in tune with God and His spirit). To enjoy potlucks.
Just a few random thoughts…
Todd,
Did you go to LCU by any chance?
preacherman,
No, I attended illustrious Harding University. Why do you ask?