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I went off a little bit last week. You can read it here if you haven't already.
Byron and Tahd added to the discussion. But Byron posed some questions that may bear some thought. He said:
...what should our expectations be of people for "remembering the Sabbath....and forsaking not the assembly together....?" If we are to have forms that resonate with the varying cultures of our southern Milwaukee county and beyond, what does that look like? By the way, the "beyond" part invites everyone reading this out there to jump in with some opinions.
Do we just prepare the table of worship and hope people come? Do we ask people what they like, and only fix things they will consume? Do we offer a wide variety, buffet, that we know everyone can find at least something they like?
We busted Keith a little for feeling bummed that people didn't show up after lots of people work so hard to prepare His communion table. What should it look like? What would He have us do differently? Or does He expect us to come through the doors indignantly because people have not honored His place as a House of prayer and worship and rather they treat it as a den of iniquity where you choose to buy-in or opt out week to week, moment to moment?
So, what do you think? What should we expect from our Christian brothers and sisters when it comes to meeting together?
Your turn.
Logging you in...
Juliek · 848 weeks ago
We all find time for what we think is important and as leaders, if we don't think meeting together is important, no one else will either. I'm assuming God has placed leaders in their positions because of their love & passion for His church and it is up to us/them to model and teach how God wants His body of believers to live. That means placing God first in our lives. Does it mean we don't love God if we miss a week or two of church? Of course not! As with all God's commands, they are here, not to condemn us but to give us freedom...so that we can live the lives that He desires us to live. When we understand that coming to church is not a "have to" but a "want to".
That leads right into the question you posed about "only fixing things they will consume". All of us are selfish. I know I am. I too often put myself in the way of what God wants in my life. The world applauds us for that! Yet Jesus shows us a completely different picture, a life focused on God and others. We have all the influences from the world constantly pushing and pulling us away from Jesus to our own selfish nature so that when we come to church we forget it's supposed to be about worship. Not singing songs, or the worship of music or song styles or the looks of our surroundings, but the worship of God. Getting together with others to focus our heart's affection and mind's attention on the only One who is worthy. To lay our hearts open before Him because we love Him and want to spend time with Him.
I have had wonderful times with God and understand all this and yet there are times my selfishness gets in the way. If that happens to someone who "gets it", what about those who don't, who haven't experienced that closeness with God?
We as leaders must continually "lead" and redirect our body to get their eyes off of themselves on onto Jesus. We must be careful as we prepare for our meeting times not to distract from the purpose of that meeting. We, should prepare for each service asking God how we should represent Him. Not watering down the message but speaking it boldly and creatively, knowing we will never please everyone...seeking to please the Only One. He has placed us in these positions with the gifts He has given us, and wants us to use them as He intended, to build His church. Not for us but for Him. To hold the bar high for our people because we feel He's worth it.
Keith Barger 62p · 848 weeks ago