How did your Sunday 'service" go?
Would some of you like to share how your "service" on Sunday, December 17th (occurred) today?
Did you have a service? How was it? Did you do service - what did you do? Who did you serve? Where did you serve?
I don't know why I'm asking except I have these questions popping in my head. I'm not even optimistic that anyone will post a comment. Help me out here.
posted by Bob Carder @ 7:05 PM
7 comments
7 Comments:
Bob – I went to church today! No really I went to a small church about an hour north of my home. It was a 180-year-old brick and mortar traditional church. I took a couple of friends and a couple of my kids. We went to support a friend of mine that was filling the pulpit.
We walked into the church, past everyone, to the first and second row from the front on the left. All eyes were on us. No one spoke to us. My friend was not in the room yet. We sat and smiled as we got the stares from around the room.
My friend took the pulpit and introduced us as his friends from True Vine Missionary Church in O’Fallon. During the greeting several came over to say hello.
I noticed a couple of things today. I watched my friend preach a very good sermon on forgiveness and works to a field of dry bones. His results were not as evident as Ezekiel’s.
I watched a new generation being raised in that dead field and my heart ached.
One man stood up and made an announcement. “Tonight is our Christmas Program and we need you all to invite some people. Since almost everyone is in the program, it will be a little ridiculous if no one else shows up. There will be no one to watch us.” That made a couple of us wonder why they were having the thing if everyone in the church was in it and no one was watching?
As we left with the pastor one man stopped and thanked me for coming. He said “Boy I guess your church is really missing a group as large as you guys today?” I really did not know how to answer so I politely said, “You have no idea”. He really doesn’t.
At lunch I shared with my friend and his wife what had happened at True Vine yesterday. Their eyes became wet. The leader of this church and his wife listened to about half the story and then turned to talk about something else. Where is their passion I wondered?
After this lunch we held our Sun Ministries Board of Directors meeting more determined than ever to figure out how God would have us help to bring life back to dead churches.
God, please light a fire of revival that will sweep through the land entering into every denomination and every church building.
I'm saddened by reality!
Bob -- we had a wonderful service yesterday. It was the cantata Sunday and it followed our performing the cantata at the local mall on Saturday.
I actually thought of you frequently on both days. I believe God honored our simple step outside of the church (the mall), because the church was full on Sunday morning with many visitors.
Now the question is, what will we do with that? We balance, again, on a precipice, it seems. Will we step forward, confident God is there, or will we stay on the edge? I see positive signs.
Yayyy! The question is "What will we do with that? The cross-road before you is more important than anyone can guess.
That's a wonderful way to share the message of Christmas on the "outside".
Anonymous, "not really", because I know who you are are I must add, it is up to you to lead them correctly into unfamiliar territory called the world. Keep sounding the call -don't let them sit and certainly don't sit with them if they do.
All smiles!
Where are all the defenders of the status quo? How come no one is posting how great their seeker sensitive or mega church service was? Where are the life transformation stories from those who have opposed your teachings in the past Bob. I could call them out by name but they know who they are.
Terry, don't expect too much! No comments reflect many things. Many of which I love as God's Spirit begins to transform those who visit.
Let's just see if anyone will surface!
Not likely... we'll just wait and see.
Terry, you have the courage of a Joshua. I love it!
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