Last week I ran into someone that served with me at Covenant. They were very faithful and I asked where they are now worshipping. They told me and frankly I was shocked. It is a very traditional church.
But their mindset impressed upon me a few questions. First they said sometimes you are there to serve and sometimes you are there to get. Do I believe that and why not both? Can we not serve and still receive? Do we not receive while serving?
Also, they picked a small church that needs help. People flock to the large church that can give them a children's ministry or a youth ministry. What about the small churches and do people far away from God always head to the large church when they want to start a relationship?
And then I thought about people far away from God. How many of them start out by going to church? Or do they start with a conversation with someone they think is a Christ follower or do we initiate the conversation?
Wow, I guess that is why we have options. But do those options lead others into a growing relationship with Jesus?
This blog is for random thoughts, my perceptions on the journey, funny things, Asheville and Travel Restaurant Reviews, family interests, posts about church shopping, inspirational findings and for fun.
About Me
- Tina Harkey
- Disclaimer: I don't have a need for a church staff disclaimer as I am no longer employeed by a church; however, If I manage to write something brilliant please credit our Creator as He is the creative one! If I write something that would be considered untasteful, just blame it on me! My current employer does ask that I let you know whats I say on this blog is not necessarily their viewpoint and I am not speaking on their behalf.
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2 comments:
It is interesting that you would post this comment...
Sunday's sermon at Seacoast was about celebrating their 20th anniversary. It has been a series of 4 sermons. The first three dealt with the how, when, and why they were formed. This Sunday was about the next 20.
Greg Surratt spoke about the fact that if it was up to him Seacoast would have remained at around 250 people. He said he just felt more comfortable with that number because he knew everyone and everyone knew each other. But he said, ultimately, it is not about what makes him/us comfortable...It's about bringing the lost to Christ.
He also spoke about "church shopping" and how people would use the term.."we weren't being fed". Again, he emphasized how it's not about us, but about the lost.
Overall, it was a good message. I certainly founding it applicable.
In short, I think what he was saying was.. Once you are assured of your salvation and that when you die you will go to heaven, then you are commanded to make sure as many people have the opportunity to go with you as possible.
Exactly and whether in a small community or large community it's more about inviting our friends to go with us, not about always getting (deeper messages, more meat).
And then whose responsibility is it to make sure we are maintaining our relationship and keeping it fresh. It's ours. I was just reading in Daniel 3 about the "firey furnance" "17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
What has become our images of gold in the church? I think sometimes it is the Pastor or the youth ministry or the music, etc. What if all that were taken away? Would people still worship God?
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