Chapter 2: The Church
People are as young as their dreams and as old as their cynicism. – Tony Campolo
I’m a pretty cynical person. I’ll admit that. I’ll also admit that most days I’m pretty cynical about the church.
The author of this book took it upon himself to church hop for this chapter. He visited nearly 50 churches to spot current trends. He found that many churches think they are being incredibly innovative when they are doing the same things as all the other churches – which are doing secular things … just 3-5 years behind the secular world. It was an interesting read, but I could never do what he did. I couldn’t church hop again. When I was in middle school (and coincidentally around the time that Daryl arrived) I began church hopping. I visited a number of churches and realized that they all had the same problems as my own church.
I’m thoroughly convinced that our need for a church isn’t so much for the act of worship ( I would prefer going out into nature and worshipping by myself) but rather for the sense of community that can only be found at a church – and only by attending actively a church for a period of time.
When I moved into my first place my church was hugely supportive. I don’t think they are done yet. I have a strange feeling that they won’t be done until I have every piece of kitchen equipment imaginable. I know that I am well prayed for and well provided for. I know that some members of my church have asked the pastors if they can help me financially. So far I’ve turned them down in the hopes that that money will go to a FAR better cause.
I love my church. I love my home church, Bill Beatty’s church, my sister’s church, Shane Hinderlighter’s church, and (yes, even) First Baptist of Toccoa. I believe in the idea that people can come together in community with a sense of love and grace and be a Church. I don’t think it happens all the time. It’s an exception at most houses of worship, but I believe it can happen.
I’m a pretty cynical person. I’ll admit that. I’ll also admit that most days I’m pretty cynical about the church.
The author of this book took it upon himself to church hop for this chapter. He visited nearly 50 churches to spot current trends. He found that many churches think they are being incredibly innovative when they are doing the same things as all the other churches – which are doing secular things … just 3-5 years behind the secular world. It was an interesting read, but I could never do what he did. I couldn’t church hop again. When I was in middle school (and coincidentally around the time that Daryl arrived) I began church hopping. I visited a number of churches and realized that they all had the same problems as my own church.
I’m thoroughly convinced that our need for a church isn’t so much for the act of worship ( I would prefer going out into nature and worshipping by myself) but rather for the sense of community that can only be found at a church – and only by attending actively a church for a period of time.
When I moved into my first place my church was hugely supportive. I don’t think they are done yet. I have a strange feeling that they won’t be done until I have every piece of kitchen equipment imaginable. I know that I am well prayed for and well provided for. I know that some members of my church have asked the pastors if they can help me financially. So far I’ve turned them down in the hopes that that money will go to a FAR better cause.
I love my church. I love my home church, Bill Beatty’s church, my sister’s church, Shane Hinderlighter’s church, and (yes, even) First Baptist of Toccoa. I believe in the idea that people can come together in community with a sense of love and grace and be a Church. I don’t think it happens all the time. It’s an exception at most houses of worship, but I believe it can happen.
posted by Michael Airgood at 9:38 AM
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