By Mike Glenn As I have admitted before, I’m a sucker for sacred spaces. I love old churches. I love sitting in a classically built sanctuary and watching the light play through the panes of the stained glass windows. I love the quiet solitude of sitting in a pew and praying. We’re losing these places. For one thing, we can’t afford to build them anymore. That’s why I cringe every time I see that a church has been sold to a developer to turn into a condominium or shopping center.
I appreciate the focus on some things churches need to keep in mind, but a question that needs to be asked is: Why do so many Christians think/feel they are not missing much by not being connected to a church? They may still want to follow Jesus, and may not be shy about stating such. And they may be involved in charities outside of the church that contribute to communities. So why, especially after being away from church during the pandemic, did so many come to the conclusion that life away from their church was not that much different?
Perhaps the Reveal study done decades ago by Willow Creek was even more of a red flag that even understood then (despite all the discussion it caused)- People may still be experiencing spiritual plateaus that churches (still) are not addressing.
I love the idea of churches taking mission to heart and reaching the least, lost, and left-out of the community in which God has placed them. However, Scripture is replete (NT especially) of how the church and its leadership are to shepherd their flock, their own church body. I think Mike is striving to communicate that the church should be a both/and community? Shouldn't the church have it's focus both on the lost and the flock?
This bears so much truth! Just last night we had our inaugural Focus Group meeting to challenge "our" norms and ask these specific questions, see if we are creatively fulfilling the Mission. I am sooo glad to read this. Thank you!
I appreciate the focus on some things churches need to keep in mind, but a question that needs to be asked is: Why do so many Christians think/feel they are not missing much by not being connected to a church? They may still want to follow Jesus, and may not be shy about stating such. And they may be involved in charities outside of the church that contribute to communities. So why, especially after being away from church during the pandemic, did so many come to the conclusion that life away from their church was not that much different?
Perhaps the Reveal study done decades ago by Willow Creek was even more of a red flag that even understood then (despite all the discussion it caused)- People may still be experiencing spiritual plateaus that churches (still) are not addressing.
I love the idea of churches taking mission to heart and reaching the least, lost, and left-out of the community in which God has placed them. However, Scripture is replete (NT especially) of how the church and its leadership are to shepherd their flock, their own church body. I think Mike is striving to communicate that the church should be a both/and community? Shouldn't the church have it's focus both on the lost and the flock?
A hard truth
This bears so much truth! Just last night we had our inaugural Focus Group meeting to challenge "our" norms and ask these specific questions, see if we are creatively fulfilling the Mission. I am sooo glad to read this. Thank you!
Who is Mike Glen??
Hard but true word.