I would be interesting to go through and list all of the common characteristics of the stereotypical American church. Then we could attach a direction of "Accept, Reject, or Replace" to each one.
For instance:
Adult Sunday School- Reject
Worship Through Singing- Accept
Church Building- Replace
The list would be really really long. I'm going to put a few on here. If you want to comment as to whether you would "Accept, Reject or Replace" that's great.
- Sunday morning services
- Prayer during the service
- Passing the plate
- Lots of programs for different ages
- Paid staff
- Communion every week
- Church membership
- Ministry teams
- Elder board
- 30 minute sermon
- Food pantry
- Sport program
- Youth and teen ministry
- Certain attire on Sundays
You can add to this list if you want.
Wow! Hard thoughts...I've thought many times "could we just put the offering plate/box/thing in the lobby/foyer and allow people to place their gifts in themselves (you are supposed to have thought about it before you give it so you should be prepared before service, but even if you are new you could drop yours in after service or when you make a bathroom trip)...just a thought, so replace.
ReplyDeleteSermon--flexible. Sometimes what the LORD wants to speak through his servant takes more or less time to convey.
Membership--I like the idea of a covenant where the people are signing a covenant between them and God, so the feeling of belonging would come from that. What does membership mean anyway? You get to vote? That makes things tricky and takes a lot longer to get ministry done. I guess replace...
Attire--reject, although a string bikini would be a little extreme (or a boys speedo for that matter!) I don't think anyone would come like that. Dress comfortable and in a manner you can focus on Him. If someone does come dressed more immodestly we can take them under our wings and have time to see where their value is coming from and help lead them in the healthy direction.
Worship through singing and prayer during service--accept.
Programming (youth/teen,sports,food pantry,different age programs and sunday school)--I think this depends a lot on your community. If it already has a great food pantry and sports program for all ages, why should you duplicate a good thing? What is God leading for the church to do for this specific community? Do they learn best as a whole (supplementally) in small groups, sunday school or something different and new?
Sorry, I can think of more questions sometimes than answers but it's all good stuff to be thinking about.
I've been praying for guidance with the church planter network situation and thinking about you all a lot. Thanks so much for your prayers!!
Audrey
Hey brother!
ReplyDeleteI guess I can only share what our congregation does. Keeping in mind that we are in a very conservative, traditional church! ~Smile~
Adult Sunday School-Yes
Worship Through Singing-Yes
Church Building-Yes we actually just built on a multi-purpose/gym/fellowship hall.
Sunday morning services-YES
Prayer during the service-YES along with personal prayer requests
Passing the plate-YES
Lots of programs for different ages-YES,but not an overabundance
Paid staff-only the pastor & assistant pastor
Communion every week-NO Twice a yr. every 6 mos. along with the foot washing ceremony.
Church membership-Definitely!
Ministry teams-yes
Elder board-yes
30 minute sermon-no ours is usually an hour, sometimes longer if the pastor gets a little long winded!
Food pantry-yes
Sport program-yes we have basketball & softball teams
Youth and teen ministry-not so much. we have youth sponsors who are in charge of the youth between the ages of 12-? They usually leave the youth once they get married.
Certain attire on Sundays-yes one should always be modest in appearance whether in church or out, male or female.
So there's my $.02.
Love to the family,
Miki
Sunday morning services; indifferent. I like the idea of thinking outside the box so that people resistant to the "typical" church might be drawn in, but not to the exclusion of those who desire the "typical" Sunday church experience.
ReplyDeletePrayer during the service; accept. There's no replacement for meeting with God through prayer. A must in my opinion.
Passing the plate; replace. it's intimidating to some and feels like pressure to others. don't we want people to give with a cheerful disposition.
Lots of programs for different ages; reject. keep it simple.
Paid staff; accept.
Communion every week; accept.
Church membership; replace or reject. For some reason I've never been a huge fan of "membership". I think it excludes people. Though I understand the value of encouraging maturity and leadership. I could be persuaded.
Ministry teams; accept. Gives people an opportunity to serve and breaks down the opportunities available.
Elder board; accept or replace. Need a governing body of some sort, though again, I think there's room for thinking outside the box.
30 minute sermon; accept. leaving room for the Spirit to move both in the context of worship and the message.
Food pantry; replace. not sure about this one given the specific population we are trying to reach.
Sport program; accept.
Youth and teen ministry; accept. whether someone is excited, indifferent or resistant to church, youth ministry is something that I think they will expect and value. It seems like many parents may not value church for themselves as much as they do for their children. This ministry gives us the opportunity to reach a family that might not otherwise be reached.
Certain attire on Sundays; accept. I think it's necessary to enforce modesty.