“I write because I don’t know what I think until I read what I say.” -Flannery O’Connor
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Church?
I'm posting a link to an article sent to me by our friend, Jay Mitchell, who is starting a church in the Greenville, SC area. It pierced my heart, and I'd love to hear what some of my blog readers think. So, I found the article online and am posting the link here. The article is by Francis Chan and is entitled A Gathering Force.
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6 comments:
Very good article. I had to reread the part that says "Looking back, I wonder if I came to those conclusions because there was a part of me that wasn't sure I wanted it. It's interesting how much our theology is driven by desire." It would definitely be easier to just "attend church", rather than "be the church". I admit it! I want to find a church, but I want to get my toes wet first with relationships, then maybe put my whole foot in...then up to my waist. It's the total immersion that scares me! I shy away from the vulnerability of relationships within the church, yet that's exactly what the church should be modeled after: willingness to give up for the sake of others. I'm also SO weary of denominational labels. It has definitely hindered my search for church.
...and lastly, there's the element of schedules. I'm afraid to even TRY to take on more relationships. Relationships = time. Ha! Must be God speaking to you again! Wasn't that your word for the year?
Thanks for your comments, Michelle. I knew I could count on you for some insight. Yes, relationship is my word of the year. And they are so difficult because of time and just because relationships are difficult. I was encouraged by the post on your blog and reminded that I do have some great relationships with Christian women that I no longer see in real life. I needed that reminder, because sometimes I feel lonely for contact with a "girlfriend". I'm not getting much of that right now.
Yes, it's kind of obvious but I was a bit annoyed that he picked on good music! LOL! Lots of churches doen't even have THAT!{g}
Yes we ignore all the scriptures that we find inconvenient, don't we? Like giving away our coat if we have 2.
I like this article. I read it recently and it was very powerful. I whole heartedly agree with the insight on how church 'is' today and how it 'should' be. This is an excellent article.
I KNOW there are lots of churches that don't have good music. About 95% of them in my county would qualify. :) I think his church has good music. I looked at their website, and they have about 12 pastors. So, it's a pretty big church.
Thanks for sharing the article. I'm going to pass it along to one of our pastors!
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