Thursday, 15 October 2009

  • Would You Go To "Church"?

    Would You Go To I just read an article about how churches have been closing their doors on Sunday to have activity days. Instead of a sermon and worship, church members are going out and performing activities like serving the homeless as part of the Faith in Action program. I see both what the churches and Faith in Action are doing, but does it really make you want to go to "church" on Sunday?

    In a world where it's really hard to get out of bed on Sundays, for those like myself lacking the will, how are these churches giving me incentive to go to a church activity? When I go to church I expect to have some sense knocked into me. I need that reminder of "Hello! You need to stop being so lazy and realize all the things that God wants for you! Is this really how He wants you to live your life?". If I heard that my church wasn't going to give me that wake-up call when I needed it, then why would I get up early to serve?

    Everyone has their different causes. For some it's Austim, for some its breast cancer and for others its a rare disease someone in their family was born with. Yes, I realize that their intent is to make the congregation feel connected and like they're doing something together---so that it's not just the worship leaders, the missions pastors, etc. However, for the people like me that have bigger causes, why can't we just serve Him on our own? I'd rather serve in His name to a family who hasn't had a night away from their kids in two years because one child has Austim and the other has Downs Syndrome, then do something that I know is done all the time.

    The article comments that most churchgoers believe that their church does enough for the homeless, but the statistics portray the opposite. I recognize that this may be true. Many people don't think that they have to do the work of helping the poor or homeless because someone else is out there doing it. It's understandable, we're a lazy self-serving generation, but if it is true and churches are underserving the underprivileged then surely they could think of other ways to help than giving up their Sunday morning!

    These citizens need consistent help. Not just during Thanksgiving and Christmas, not just during Sundays. If they really wanted to make an impact they should partner with one of their local homeless or poor organizations and pair a church goer with one of their clients. Everyone needs a human connection---someone who'll check in on them every week. Take them out to the farmer's market or some other place that get's them out of their cardboard boxes and lifts their spirits. Encouragement and positive attitude always rub off.

    Yes, I know that some people are homeless by choice, but don't they still deserve a listening ear and compassion? Shouldn't we be thinking about why people occasionally choose to be homeless? It bet it may be for a very interesting reason.

    Instead of making churchgoers donate their reflection time on Sunday, give them options. Some people are not morning people and if I had to go help someone in the morning they definitely would not receive the love and compassion from me that they would receive if I was allowed to donate my time---say in the late afternoon after a few cups of coffee and the biblical reminder of why I'd be doing what I was doing.

    Would you attend a church mandated function in lieu of worship? Would you prefer activity options if your service was mandated on Sunday during worship time?

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Comments (14)

  • BunnyHu@xanga

    Nope. I like my sermons. I go to church to hear the Word of G-d. I'm weird. I don't want to listen to a lot of music, announcements, and all this other hoopla they put into the day to make church exciting. I don't need or want chuch to be exciting. I would go another day. And I think it's a great idea because what I like isn't what others necessarily like.

  • xoxfromtheashesxox@xanga

    i think there needs to be a balance, because the congregation still needs the time to learn, pray together, worship, etc.

    but i also think it's a great idea. people are busy now, i know that i barely had the time to go to church, then get all my other things done on a Sunday. if my church did something like that regularly instead of the usual sermon, praise and worship, i would have no problem with it.
  • peacewithinsunshine@xanga

    My church does this, but they do not do it every Sunday or even close to be every other Sunday.  It's a great thing actually and Sundays aren't the only day they hold worship, like you could go on Saturday evening.
  • Pcgecko85@xanga

    I never liked going to church so I preferred it to be as short as possible. Activity days would have put a major damper on my lazy sundays.
  • TheGreatBout@xanga

    I don't have a problem helping people or attending a worship service. Both are worship and both are uniting the body to glorify the God Who Brought Us out of Egypt.

    We can get picky about liturgy all we want but as long as we are the Church it's all good. If we're complaining about helping others instead of doing what we are use to then there is a problem. If all our congregation does is social work then we would do well to also find a congregation that teaches scripture, prays, and meets at the table. We need to make sure we participate in the ordinances laid out for us.

    The Bride needs her recharge time.
  • Shy___Away@xanga

    I think it's a good idea, because a lot of people say "Oh, I don't have time to help the homeless." And in many cases, yes, they don't really have a designated time slot set aside. Converting their designated time of going to church into an outreach is practical solution to this problem. Obviously people don't have to go if they don't want to.

    I guess I don't understand why people are so beholden to their sermons. Personally, when I was involved with religious affiliations, I received far more wisdom from the people I served, than the sermons I listened to while sitting in pews.

  • scrambledmegsntoast@xanga

    I fail to understand why anyone cannot just do both. 
  • modernmelody

    The article referenced in this post says that canceling Sunday church to go to service projects is a risky move, but I disagree.  I think that too often we become complacent, so eager to simply go to church and then get out before the traffic jam on the way out of the parking lot.  Taking the time to experience the love of Christ through service is a great way to invigorate the church, reminding the church that keeping the sabbath holy isn't just about keeping a pew warm once a week; it's about taking a day to focus on God.  Jesus called us to "go," and the best way I've been able to put that into practice is through acts of service.
  • tendollar4ways@xanga

    I would go to see what goes on in these buildings that makes people not care about their fellow man. To find out what is said that makes people becomes so callous, violent, cruel and blood thirsty. I would go to see how they are turning reasonable good people into complete uncaring beasts who are dumber than dirt from where they beleive they came.


    I would go to see just how it can be done....to see how they do it. To see how they get people to agree that getting gang raped by 7 people and locked in a storage container for 24 hours is Jesus's Way. That we must support it....or burn in hell forever.


    I go whenever I can.....Horror show.
  • Doubledb@xanga

    so, it is hard to get out of your bed to worship God.. are you saying it is harder to go and help someone. the reason they are doing this is to show the importance of helping others and how true worship is living out the gospel, not just hudling insidfe our churches. Plus, if you are like most people, you enjoy your free time.. people are overloaded and so this gives the church body something to do together and show the importance of helping others - I think it is a great idea, perhaps we should learn to sacrifice, if not individually then at least together as a church. sometimes the best preaching is what one does by actions, not merely by words.
  • WhenFaithandFearCollide@xanga

    There's six days a week for work. God ask us to spend one day for him.
  • deepestrecesses

    Well, i think @WhenFaithandFearCollide@xanga - has a pretty valid point-- God wants (at least) one day for us to come together, worship him, be edified and encouraged, and equiped with his word.


    So abandoning Church for out-reach or work is not right; but I don't see a problem with extending your service to include an after-church workout of faith.  Instead of going home to watch football, everyone could continue building and practicing on what they are learning in Church. 

  • TrumvilleOrbison@xanga

    to me, that's what church is.
  • sheflourishes@xanga

    Everyone has their own way of worshiping God. Some people sing, dance, write poetry, share their testimony, etc. My way of worshiping is service to others. That is when I feel closest to God. So, I would probably go to church more often if it consisted of more activity days. I feel as though Christians don't do enough "faith in action" these days.

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