Unlike some of the pastors from mainline denominations quoted in this article, I'm not the least bit afraid of the loss of the institutional Church should this be where God leads. The Church, however constructed, is always going to be imperfect since it is composed of imperfect human beings, but maybe a change is needed.
Jim and Curtis and John and I just happened to be sitting around talking about this very idea of "house churches" last week. Coincidence?
Posts
2 comments:
paul, i stumbled upon your blog and appreciated the various topics, this one included. in addition to house churches, i see the "storefront" type flourishing around here as well. that is a real challenge to our "build a new building with a capital campaign" way of thinking. just this morning, stopping at chic-fil-a, i wondered if the dear christian man who manages it would be open to us holding a sunday afternoon prayer or bible study meeting in his building, which is in the middle of the major point of congregating in my zip code.
our young adults have taken to meeting regularly in homes... there's something important that happens there... still wrestling with whether we give up something without a "sanctuary" - it's kind of an OT model vs. a NT one.
i'd love to connect with you guys at good shepherd.... we seem to share theology, mission, and values as well as a name. :)
in Christ,
Robert Austell
Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church
Charlotte, NC
www.gspc.net
Hey Robert: sorry, I've been on vacation and busy and then, well, I'm not very good at being a regular blogger.
Yeah, our church is getting ready to start a capital campaign to re-do the campus and we are struggling with just what that should look like, how much to spend, etc.
We too, really encourage our small groups (and even our ministry team meetings) to take place in homes (or public places like coffee houses) as much as possible. We're trying to really be "A Community for the Community" and we know that some of that can't happen unless we are "out there" engaging the community and assessing its needs. But it is difficult, as you say, to imagine not having "Church" in a traditional sense.
I'm not that old (35) but I think somewhat "old" on this issue. I really like having an actual sanctuary (sacred space) for the community of faith to gather. And I think there are more of my generation (and younger) that are looking for that "OT model"...a specific place that is set aside to meet with God.
Of course, we need to continue to understand that God has hallowed all space, and anywhere can be "sacred" for us. But there is something about a sanctuary...at least for me.
I say pursue the Chic-fil-a idea! We've talked about similar things and hopefully one or more will come to fruition.
The challenge is how to mix the new ideas (like house churches) with our rich tradition (like sanctuaries). Perhaps a both/and?
Thanks for stopping by and, sure, let's connect.
peace,
paul
Post a Comment