A very nice person not associated with our church, familiar with us only through these posts, wrote in and asked me to summarize the biggest difference I see between the way we do church and "church as usual". He intimated that he's familiar with the church scene and it wasn't satisfying to him, but he was intrigued by some of the things we'd been talking about and doing. So here you go.
I'd say the biggest single difference between our ministry and the (stereo-)typical church experience is the direction of our focus. If we're not doing something that changes or informs your daily life, makes your everyday experience more Spirit-filled and closer to God, then we've failed in our mission. That's why we go to great length to keep church activities special, but not isolated. They represent the best of what we can give, naturally, but we also try to make them connect to ordinary life. We don't sit people down and make them go into another world, or even another mode of thinking, in order to experience our teaching of God. With the kids we teach through everyday activities like games and movies. Even with adults in more formalized studies we try and bring the words of scripture back around to our daily lives and tasks. We invite "ordinary" people to ask "ordinary" questions and state their "ordinary" opinions and by gum, we find God is plenty active in the ordinary! Our job isn't to bring God to you. We assume he's already there. Our job is to help you see him in all the moments of your life.
Many churches give lip service to this kind of thing, but in the end most spend the bulk of their time and energy trying to get you farther inside the church, more focused on the institution, investing in church for church's sake. You can see it in the hoops you have to jump in order to belong or participate. You can feel it in the emphasis on attendance and giving as litmus tests for the success of the church...or failing that having a grand building and breathtaking decorations. We talk about all of those things too, to be sure, but they're in service to the people and the community, not trying to get people and the community in service to us! We don't try to get the outside into church in order to make the church bigger. We try to get the inside out of church in order to spread God's goodness farther.
This change in direction makes all the difference. I believe it's the same distinction that separated Jesus from the religious leaders of his time. One wandered hither and yon, gracing people with healing and the news about God's goodness, bringing the Kingdom alive before them. The others stayed in their temple-castle, protecting what they had and encouraging everyone to come and bow, calling them great and securing their place in the community. The first is the ultimate self-giving, the second ultimately self-serving. We prefer the former to the latter.
Hope that answers the question!
--Pastor Dave (pastordave@geneseelutheranparish.org)
Dave, I think you are spot on with your description. I for one feel that "This change in direction makes all the difference." I feel like we are all doing it and not getting it done to us.
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Jeff and I feel this church is outstanding in all that it does. The people are so welcoming and helpful,there are many different things for different people to do to be involved in the church. This church family has helped us through a very difficult 2 years.
ReplyDeleteWe really like how if the kids are loud or not paying any attention to what is going on, it is ok. In previous churches I at least felt like there was an attitude of kids were "to be seen not heard" kind of atmosphere. We also like how the church is not formal and stiff. When I was little, there was no crying rooms, we got one book to read, and we had to pay attention. I don't remember feeling that church was fun, CCD was fun, but not church. Lastly, we like the outside church activities to keep people involved. I can't think of anything I would change about how this church is opertated.
Here's what I like: I trust the people here. I know that if I need help or someone else does and I relay the message, something will be done. I feel like the church focuses on doing good and not just being good. Plus, our kids here are the best in the world!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments, especially yours, Maria. We have worked long and hard to do what you've described. This church has come a long way in the last few years. It's nice to hear that the effort has been worth it!
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