When I think of the state of the modern church, the apathy, the disregard for God's word, the love of the world, it makes me want to scream, toss my lunch, pray, and sob ... all at the same time. What has happened to the church?
Some Churches Closed On Christmas
"We believe that you worship every day of the week, not just on a weekend, and you don't have to be in a church building to worship." -Cindy Willison, Southland Christian Church, Nicholasville, Ky.
(AP) This Christmas, no prayers will be said in several megachurches around the country.
Even though the holiday falls this year on a Sunday, when churches normally host thousands for worship, pastors are canceling services, anticipating low attendance on what they call a family day.
Critics within the evangelical community, more accustomed to doing battle with department stores and public schools over keeping religion in Christmas, are stunned by the shutdown.
It is almost unheard of for a Christian church to cancel services on a Sunday, and opponents of the closures are accusing these congregations of bowing to secular culture.
"This is a consumer mentality at work: `Let's not impose the church on people. Let's not make church in any way inconvenient,"' said David Wells, professor of history and systematic theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary …
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
I think there are other valid perspectives to "canceling" church on Christmas. I'm sure I could point out other ways the church regularly bows to secular culture during the Christmas season (not just on years Christmas falls on a Sunday). It comes down to motives and heart attitudes.
I would rather stay home with my family and have our own special time of worship and fun. The only reason I'm going to church on Christmas this year is because my mom is playing piano.
Matt - Part of my reacting so strongly was probably because this is the tip of the iceburg of all the litany of things that annoy me about mega churches. Oftentimes it's not what is God-honoring that is important but what is convenient (or what do the people want).
Concerning moving church service to another day of the week ... I guess it's the motive that's important. If it's simply because Saturday evening is more convenient for everyone, then I guess my thought is that there are many things about Christianity that are inconvenient. If it's because they're a church-plant and can't find a building available Sunday morning, then I respect that.
My parents were married in a church in Manhattan Beach, CA that has now evolved into a surfer-church where they meet on Friday nights so as not to interfere with the good times to catch a wave. It's like surfing is first and Christ is secondary.
:)
To follow that thought ... regarding the current topic of mega-churches cancelling prayer and worship services for Christmas.
Yes, this year it will be VERY inconvenient to have to rush present-opening (or do it after services) to go to church. But, I think it's more important to put God first and the commercial aspects of Christmas second. Yes, I can justify skipping church saying it's a "family time" to stay home and open presents. But is that really what it's about?
When large churches cancel services, is this bowing to secularism (encouraging people to skip church to engage in commercial aspects of Christmas without being inconvenienced)? I think it probably is.
I have mixed feelings about this whole thing. One of the things that troubled me is that the world thinks it's odd that Christians don't want to be in church on a day that celebrates the birth of the Savior. Many times I think we can tell what shape the church is in by how the world reacts to it. They may not be saved, but somewhere in their hearts they know a fake when they see one. That gave me reason to think that these churches may not have their priorities straight.
I do think, though, that the fact that these churches aren't holding services is merely a symptom of a greater problem. I agree that there are some deep problems in many of these mega churches, but at the same time, I agree with Janice that we have to be careful in judging their hearts. I have spent far too much of my life judging others' motives. Only God knows their reasons for sure, and He sent His Son for them just as much as He did for me. Lately the Lord has been reminding me that I need to spend more time praying for those that I'm tempted to criticize. Not that we never acknowledge a problem, but that our first response should be prayer, mercy and grace. That's a tall order, but it dramatically changes my perspective.
Anyway - my three cents. :) I love how your posts create such great discussion.
Wow interesting thoughts. My very small church is not meeting.
I agree with the thoughts that is all comes down to why you do things and what the heart of the matter is. On one hand it is easy for the lines to blur between the church and the world, but on the other hand it is easy to become religious and think that "church" happens inside four walls, on Sunday morning where you sing 5 songs, pray and have a sermon. I am learning that God is very diverse, out of the box, and likes to work in unconventional ways. If you look at the story of Jesus coming to earth, there was nothing conventional or "normal" about it. Many people MISSED Jesus b/c they put Him in a box and expected Him to come only in one form and to act only a certain way
Thanks Amy for making us all think. Good topic!
I quiet agree with Seth and thought of that this morning as I sat in church wondering what would happen if those serving were out of town for Christmas.
Exchanging gifts with loved ones isn't necessarily commercial. Going to church isn't necessarily putting God first.
Post a Comment