We will be convening here at the ZigZag café, Suisse, on Thursdays for conversation and dialogue. I invite you to stop by every Thursday for the question of the day. Your thoughts and participation are most welcome. Pull up a stool, avec un café, un thé, ou un chocolat chaud, et un croissant, and join in here on Thursday at the ZZ café.
For today:
Do you have problems fitting into church? If so, why – and if not, why not?
READ THE BOOK - FIND THE RHYTHM
8 comments:
Problems fitting into the church (i.e. the body of Christ) are disastrous! But for some local churches, I have problems, too...
Lukas,
Thanks. Why?
Off topic a little, but do you view the church as the body of Christ?
In general, yes. But I'll start with my church.
The ways I do fit into my church:
It's a welcoming, non-judging church, open to
asking questions. Lately they've even been having
open Q & A and discussion after the service.
They really love people, and draw people into
the family of God, whoever they may be.
I don't have to put on a face or dress up to go
there unless I want to. I jive with what they are
about theologically and relationally for the most
part. They have a strong community.
I think the main way I don't fit in is musically and
worshipfully. During worship I've discretely slipped
out to go for a walk. Coming from a musical
background, I see that what is being offered is
pleasing and very polished in its style. But.....
lacking in varieties of styles, meters, timbres,
lyrics...
I don't always like the structure of church and
how many ways there are to get involved almost
every night of the week. But I suppose one can
discern and pray for God's direction and rest their
identity in God rather than the community.
Angela,
Thanks. Helpful thoughts. I'm so glad to hear that you're in a church where most things are good, save the music. Hopefully, because of you being there this will improve. You are a fine musician and know well the importance of variety and texture - pass it on.
I think I see what you mean about all the activities that go on in church. Sometimes too much, but if it's a community building effort then it may be valuable.
Sorry, I'm late...
Your recent post answers most of the "Why". "The lack of love" "shocks" me so often! That is what chases unbelievers away... And it is so much contrary to our calling: John 13,35.
This is one of the things I hate most about still being in a fallen creation...
As of the church as body of Christ... I assume so, but might be wrong!
Some "proof": ;-)
- Col 1,18!
- 1. Cor 12,27 / Eph 4 (especially verse 12)
- Eph 5,23
Lukas,
Glad you got back. True, and it chases not only unbelievers away, but I think, believers too.
Out of the church as the body of Christ references you mention, the Col 1:18 seems to me the most interesting. All the verses appear in contexts where this subject is not the main point, nevertheless there is some connection. The reason I posed the question to you was because I was wondering if you would be happy with such an identification today. My thought is there are lots of people who are members of the church, but that may not mean they are a part of the body of Christ - church membership is not always a indicator of whether or not one is a Christian.
True, it is what chases me too from "local" churches! And sometimes it chases me even from the global church (i.e. body of Christ).
So: No, I am not always happy with such an identification! But I know, that I fail and I know, that God will perform the good work, he began in me and my brothers and sisters. Sometimes this thought helps...
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