One of the reason I’m an advocate for ditching church as we normally do it is because it avoids relationships. Most would say, well that is what a small group is for. In bigger churches I think your absolutely right, and that’s a good thing I guess.
I understand bigger churches, especially when there is a great preacher. There are a handful of sermons I download regularly to listen to during the week, and if I lived in those towns I’d probably check them out on Sunday. There is a church in my hometown that has grown immensly, and I think it is largely do to the head pastors wonderful preaching. So, don’t get me wrong I understand the appeal of a good sermon.
For me though, that just doesn’t seem what the church should centrally be about. One of the first things that is said about the early meetings of believers is “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teachings and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Now, I’m not arguing we shouldn’t have teaching, I just think we’ve put far too much focus on it, and we lack the fellowship and the close knit community that is so necessary, or beneficial, to carrying out the teachings and the gospel itself.
I’m weary of going to church on Sunday, hearing a sermon, making a little small talk and then going home. There’s something missing.
Once again you’re right – I don’t think the central focus of a church should be the preaching. There is so much more to it than that, as you pointed out! But just because that shouldn’t be the focus of a church, does that mean it can’t be the focus of Sunday mornings? After all “church” shouldn’t mean the same thing as “Sunday morning service” should it? Like I said, I attend a big church (~1500 per service). I hardly ever see the same person twice on Sundays. But the relationships I’ve built have come outside of Sunday mornings – the small groups, the weekend sports get togethers, the picnics, etc. I guess my question is should the burden be on the church to become smaller, or should it be on us to be more involved?
I think the preaching is vital to the growth of the church’s members, but Brian said it best. I think we all need to be more involved in the life of the church. The preaching is to feed us so that we can be strong in our involvement.
Hmm. I think the preaching part is really important because honestly most people, and definitely me, need constant reminders of what the Bible says. Sure, there are problems I have with churches now, but I don’t think I’d go for ditching the church as we have it now. The basic structure seems to follow Bibilical lines…
The church I attend has no preacher per se. We have a lay leader who holds some responsibility for the content of the meeting. He invites congregants to speak each Sunday, usually with a week or so lead time. Occasionally if the congregants’ addresses are short, he will fill in with some remarks, but that’s rare. Every first Sunday, the meeting is completely open–anyone can come up to the podium and express their faith. (You’ll be interested to know, Ariah, that that Sunday the members also fast two meals and donate an estimate–often generous–of the money they save to a fund that provides for the needy.)
Everyone serves. I’m currently in charge of the music for the main worship meeting, as well as the choir. My husband is a clerk. I’ve been a teacher in several different organizations, in the leadership of the children’s organization, responsible for helping encourage self-reliant living, and so on. I serve where I’m asked rather than asking to serve where I choose, which is a growing experience.
I certainly agree with some of your logic, but perhaps not the conclusion.
The Bible has a lot to say about Christian fellowship, and very much so on the ‘relationship’ of those in the church. In Colossians we say how members of a church are unified in the body of Christ, and there are countless verses where we see the importance of fellowship – “spur one another on in Christ”, “to encourage eachother” (unfortunately my parents managed to take my Bible home when picking my stuff up so can’t give any verse references!).
So essentially you’re right, the church has much more of a role than just ‘good preaching’ – other functions such as discipleship, and general fellowship with eachother are biblically encouraged.
But this is not a reason not to go to church. Instead, it should encourage us to say join a mid-week study group or something, so as to be more incorporated in the church family. Sunday services should still be a clear example of being in ‘relationship’ with eachother. Take a look at Colossians 3:16:
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”
Meeting on Sundays is not only crucial for our relationship with other Christians, but also to help our relationship with God.
Hope you have a great Christmas. Maybe you’ll get some footwear as a present. 😉
Oh and if you like good sermons, check out my church’s sermons page (http://www.thekingscentre.org.uk/cec/sermons.php) – I particularly recommend the ones by Dr Steve Brady, David Field and Marcus Honeysett.