the Requiest

Yeah I know a bit open ended, to say the least, but hopefully you’ll bear with me and give it some thought. Now I’m no theologian or church historian and I’m not asking the question from that perspective. I’m coming at this from a total laymens point of view, afterall isn’t that what at least 90% of the church is really made up of?

Given all the blogging in the past year about emerging churches I thought it would be interesting to see how most people feel about church. I’m not making any proposition here that any one way is better than another. I think when it really comes down to church it’s all about what we’re most comfortable with. Some people like the happy clappy type of service, some people feel the need for something more reserved. Some people focus on the biblical exegesis of the pastor, while others want a good youth program.

So what is church to you? Or more to the point, what makes your church the church that you go to? If you were to weigh the factors that helped you make your decision, what would they be?

• Is it due to it’s denominational affiliation or the fact that it is non-denominational?
• Is it because it’s not the steeple topped normal type of church – maybe a home church?
• Is it because of the programs that are available? I know this can be a very big draw to a young family with children.
• Does your church have any specific ministries that drew you to it?
• Did you have friends already attending?
• How much of a factor does the the pastoral staff make?
Under this are things like:
• Is it the way pastor(s) preach the Word?
• Is it the direction you see the church being lead towards?
• Is it due to the pastoral care provided to the congregation?
• How about the way “worship” is done during the service?
• Is it exuberant and full of joyful proclomations?
• Is it reserved and solemn allowing for a a certain personal reflection?
• Is there just the “right kind” of music?
• Do the organ pipes get a good blowing out every Sunday morning?
• Does the praise band get jacked in and amped up?
• Do Psalms get sung weekly?

I’m sure there are many things that I’m missing from this little list of questions, but I’m sure you get the idea. So what did draw you to your current church? What keeps you there now as opposed to going down the street?
Of course in all of this I’ve been making the poor assumption that you not only go to church but that you belong to a church. If you don’t, and you consider yourself a Christian, why not?

Once again my friend (I’ll call him “The Unfettered Monk”) has sent a morning message that is both humbling as well as inspirational.
I’d never heard of Dick Hoyt until 30 minutes ago. The love that drives this guy is something that I can only hope to someday obtain.

Get yourself a tissue, click on this link, read the story and then watch the movie.
Make sure you have your sound turned on. I guarantee you’ve heard the song before but never like this.

An old and dear friend sent this out to our men’s group this morning.

They are not in trouble as others are. The prosperous wicked escape the killing toils which afflict the mass of mankind; they have no need to inquire, “Whence shall we get bread for our children, or raiment for our little ones?” Ordinary domestic and personal troubles do not appear to molest them.
They are not stricken like the rest of mankind. Fierce trials do not arise to assail them. They are worse than other people, and yet better off. All this is clear to the eye of faith, which unriddles the riddle; but to the bleared eye of sense it seems an enigma indeed. They are to have nothing hereafter; let them have what they can here; they, after all, only possess what is of secondary value, and their possessing it is meant to teach us to set little store by transient things. If earthly good were of much value, the Lord would not give so large a measure of it to those who have least of his love.

Dear Christian be neither envious in what they have, neither find silent celebration knowing the justice by which they will be met. Instead lament over their loss even while they, oblivious to their destiny, dig their eternal graves.

Even as with Saul, pray that the grace of God may save even these. After all He saved you.