Can you defend what you do?
Last night I went with my wife’s uncle to feed the homeless in a small town in Argentina. He and his wife were addicted to cocaine before God changed their lives. Now they go each week around town to feed the homeless. They’ve never missed a week in six years. And at times they can barely make it to the end of the month financially. But they never miss. They go to a tiny church and really live a life like the early Christians in Acts.
Afterwards, I found myself in a conversation explaining my magazine and blog. I felt humbled explaining why churches need massive stage designs, incredible sound, and great creativity.
I was worried I would feel silly after explaining such an odd concept to my wife’s uncle. But I realize when I finished that I was completely satisfied with my explanation. I fully believe in what I’m helping the church do. I fully believe in the necessity of my sites. What a refreshing thought!
I believe we should all sit down with someone like my wife’s uncle each year. Then we should defend our actions. There might be some things we realize we shouldn’t be doing. There might be things we realize we should be doing.
You might not get the chance to talk to my wife’s uncle. But you should know why you’re doing what you’re doing – enough to explain it to someone in the trenches on the other side of the tracks.
Could you explain why you do things at your church to my wife’s uncle?
because …… the early Christians had a “small church” and lived in the same culture as we do, and so we should duplicate our churches on a 1st century middle-eastern model?
I think every church should follow the guidance of God for them – and not try to compare or defend themselves to/with churches in other cultures, countries, and historical ages.
I think that comes from the false belief that the early church was perfect and pristine – but I have read the New Testament and discovered that it was filled with division, heresy, immorality, legalism, etc etc.
It was small in some locations and huge in others.
Every church – like every person – is unique.
I’m not saying that’s the best model whatsoever. I’m saying…you should be able to explain it to someone like the first century Christians to your own satisfaction. If you don’t feel good about your explanation…there’s a good chance you shouldn’t be doing what you’re doing. Ya? 🙂
because …… the early Christians had a “small church” and lived in the same culture as we do, and so we should duplicate our churches on a 1st century middle-eastern model?
I think every church should follow the guidance of God for them – and not try to compare or defend themselves to/with churches in other cultures, countries, and historical ages.
I think that comes from the false belief that the early church was perfect and pristine – but I have read the New Testament and discovered that it was filled with division, heresy, immorality, legalism, etc etc.
It was small in some locations and huge in others.
Every church – like every person – is unique.
I’m not saying that’s the best model whatsoever. I’m saying…you should be able to explain it to someone like the first century Christians to your own satisfaction. If you don’t feel good about your explanation…there’s a good chance you shouldn’t be doing what you’re doing. Ya? 🙂
Amen – Great thought. It reminds me that we all have a calling. You were knit together for the purpose of glorifying God and you are doing it. Church stage design won’t fit in some contexts around the globe, but it does fit here. Just like bus ministry does not fit into some contexts and does in others. It is not an attitude of “to each their own” but rather “to each has been given gifts for the common good.” I am sure you were blessed feeding the homeless with your uncle-in-law. God bless.
Amen – Great thought. It reminds me that we all have a calling. You were knit together for the purpose of glorifying God and you are doing it. Church stage design won’t fit in some contexts around the globe, but it does fit here. Just like bus ministry does not fit into some contexts and does in others. It is not an attitude of “to each their own” but rather “to each has been given gifts for the common good.” I am sure you were blessed feeding the homeless with your uncle-in-law. God bless.
powerful!…I think it applies to life in general…it is about purpose for our actions…we should be able to explain that to anybody…if we do not believe in what we do enough to articulate that in simple words…then maybe we should be doing something else.
powerful!…I think it applies to life in general…it is about purpose for our actions…we should be able to explain that to anybody…if we do not believe in what we do enough to articulate that in simple words…then maybe we should be doing something else.