Archive for June 22nd, 2009
Interesting Conversations…
There’s not much for me to write about today.. In the past few hours I’ve had some interesting conversations about church.
When a church isn’t growing is it the pastor’s fault? If it grows, should he get all the accolades? Surely the Pastor must LEAD. He has to. But in the same vein, people have to be willing to get their hands dirty. Real growth comes from real sowing.
When a church baptizes more folks than they average in attendance in a month, is it really growth? Where they really changed? I was asked my thoughts about a real situation involving a pastor. For the sake of discussion I will use a hypothetical. Pastor Whizbang averages 75 in service but yet he claims to be baptizing 15-20 a month when he meets with other pastors. The question then becomes, why isn’t his average attendance climbing by AT LEAST half of that? Are these people coming to worship? Or are they just notches on a bible belt? My take on this and this is what I told my friend…I don’t consider it a “conversion” of any kind until that person has shown by his or her fruit that they are committed. I’ve baptized many folks but many of them fizzle out and aren’t involved. Are they really converted?
Should we play secular “rock” music in our worship service? This one’s a hot button topic I’ve heard recently. Some churches use a secular song with a message that ties to the message series or message itself. Is it right or wrong? Ah, the buttons that could be pressed. I see it this way…I have about 20-22 minutes of music each week. I want that music focused on the Cross and on Jesus Christ. And more than that, I want the music focused on what HE has done for us and our response to that, not about ME or I or anything self-centered. You can tie in songs to work with your message or series if you take a little time. I know others will disagree with me on this one, but I figure those that want to hear Green Day or U2 will tune it in on their car radios when they leave worship. We only have a few minutes to get their attention and focus on the main thing. Maybe I’m old fashioned…
I had a good friend who reads here regularly comment to me that I might give off the impression I’m being negative and critical of others. I respected his words and have taken them into account here. I have in no way meant to be critical of these practices..but I do believe we can question them. That’s what real learning is about right? These are my convictions. Your mileage may vary!
Now on to the rest of my day…I wonder what conversations lie in store next.
