The Irrelevant Church
Here is an article I recently read online. It raised some good points and speaks to me about what is so great about Central Baptist. I'll let you figure out what make me think of us.
- I had a chance on a recent trip to attend one of the most successful churches in America. It packs in more than 20,000 people at its weekend services. Its pastor is the author of bestselling books and is a world figure. The church is inspiring, effective, and relevant.
Fortunately, it became impossible to attend there, and instead I was blessed to end up at an irrelevant church. Our family arrived promptly at 10:00 A.M., and we were greeted by a woman who was getting up from pulling a few weeds in front of the church sign. She welcomed us warmly and escorted us into the nearly empty sanctuary. After we were greeted by two other people, as well as the pastor, a handful of people straggled in and worship began.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/007/23.36.html
Okay, I'm off to the Folk Festival now. Have a great weekend!
Hal
1 comments:
Great story. Are you sure that article ISN'T about our church? (Although, we do have a professional musician on our stage!) I've never felt a connection to big churches - just not my style. I like a congregation where I can get to know everybody on a first-name basis. The people at Central are in many ways a family to me: they support me, challenge me, BUG ME! It's all part of the fun.
Is there such a thing as a church that is TOO small? Well, Jesus said he'd show up wherever two or three are gathered in his name. So, I guess two or three plus Jesus can get the stew cooking. At the same time, those days at Central where almost everyone shows up (about 70-75 people) are a blast. There's a certain truth to the "strength in numbers" theory.
Big or small, every church has a place in the world, with the emphasis being on in the world. Three cheers to every church going out of its way to make a better world.
Post a Comment