“Mark Tindall” <> wrote in message news:<>… > Church is, as Alan Watts stated, a bunch of people staring past each
others > heads listening to a boring sermon and singing crappy songs while turning
> their brains off. Why would I want to go????
G’day Mark,
I’m a long-time a.r.c-er who’s been absent for a long time but I’ve been lurking for the last few weeks and followed much of the discussion you’ve raised.
the evangelical spectrum (or vice-versa :-), kinda similar to Rowland. I attend a smallish Baptist church (we deliberately go to the closest as far as is practical). (We’re technically not members but only because we’ve moved comparatively recently). I’m in my 30’s, married with 3 young children.
I’m curious to know what YOU would like to see in a church service (or other church activities such as small groups etc.). To get the ball rolling, here are a few thoughts of mine:
Singing: usually overdone. Australians rarely sing outside church. Often boring (hymns) or mindless (choruses), BUT when a song touches where I am at, it is wonderful to sing (or hear it sung).
Preaching/teaching: since I’m quite well educated theologically, I rarely get much out of sermons. But I am sympathetic because many people in congregations don’t have the time or the ability (or both)
to do the amount of reading and studying which I have.
It is good (and, I believe, scriptural) to have several people giving input to the church service. I have seen a trend to cut this out, which is a great pity. Part of this is fear of someone saying something inappropriate (but in my mind, that’s a risk worth taking), and part is to keep services “on track”… the implication being that in the past week the only people God has spoken to are the preacher and the worship leader.
I enjoy groups which discuss religion (or other issues on which religion has a bearing). I don’t get to do it nearly enough, although a lot of that’s to do with being at a small church where most people are much older than me.
Churches tend to avoid touching political issues, which is a pity. Maybe a way to handle discussion of contentious issues is the debate format. (One speaker from either side, well researched, debating each other cordially; with questions from the floor at the end). Hopefully this would foster diversity without division.
I like meetings to have more prayer, though this is often easier in a small group setting. One of my best church experiences was a prayer meeting with other guys my age, though it only lasted a few months. (It naturally led to times of discussion and “teaching”, not just prayer).
The arts: obviously important to you. Doesn’t do much for me. Sorry!
Meeting with other Christians in the entire local church (as opposed to small group) is important, though sometimes I wonder whether it really needs to be weekly. (Heresy!)
Networking with Christians in other churches is also important, though it rarely seems to happen at an organised level.
Regards,
Peter Ballard Adelaide, AUSTRALIA
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