Categories: uncategorized
Date: 02 June 2005 13:11:56
Thanks for everyone who made positive comments on the last post; it seems that a lot of people have had similar experiences.
I do feel sometimes that I'm a professional critic though, so here's a positive, alternative vision of church life. A vision that doesn't resemble a corporation with different departments, and stressed workers striving to increase the quality and size of God, plc. I don't think that's the commission that Christ gave the church.
Overall, it would be a church where people care about each other, and where people from a variety of walks of life enjoy coming together to worship God. One where people want to celebrate their faith, and not critique it (I have much to learn here!). I think this church would have some of the following aspects:
A mix of formal and informal meetings. People don't get hung up about how they meet. The following are not considered important: length of meetings, style of teaching; style or ‘quality' of music. Or whether liturgies are or aren't used. Meetings are low-tech and low-hassle, and the congregation recognise this and are OK with it. There is no implicit obligation to attend any meeting. What is considered important is that in some way or other, we worship together and learn about God. People don't judge how good a Christian you are by how many meetings you go to.
People also meet informally in a non-forced way. They meet to enjoy each other's company, and to pray.
A church that seeks to be led by the Spirit, rather than policies and procedures.
A church that is naturally evangelistic, because it loves God and others, and isn't ashamed of that fact. It pours out.
A church with an active mission to its community, because it recognises that what we do for others, we do for God. But we don't kill ourselves doing it. Different projects are started and stopped according to the need of the community and the gifts of church members.
A church that cares about the world, because all are made in the image of God, and supports that in prayer and practise.
A church where people's gifts are recognised, and they are encouraged to use them positively as a mark of worship.
A church where individuality is celebrated, and people are encouraged on their individual walks with God, including times when these do not conform to a normal pattern of church life.
And do you know what? All of the above, even though it sounds good, is just a shell. It's made alive when the Spirit is there. Remember Bagpuss? 'When Bagpuss wakes up, all his friends wake up too,' and the world is transformed from a sepia-grey to glorious technicolour. So it is with the presence of the Holy Spirit.
So the last point is that we seek the presence of the Holy Spirit in all our lives, and in all that we do.