I suppose I should have prefaced my last posting with a little history on where we are at in our lives at church. Our church, typical Southern Baptist congregation with a dwindling number of "young families" is attempting to restructure ourselves into a culturally diverse, outwardly focused group of believers. Sadly we have the traditionalists setting the boundaries. It's way more complex than what I can put down in a short paragraph but all that to say, new ways of doing church and ministry are on my mind a lot lately.
It's hard letting go of what we are used to. In all areas of our lives, change can be difficult. But when you compile 250 different viewpoints into the equation it can be even more difficult. So, I putting together my Sunday School Lesson for in the morning. Yes, I know it's Saturday night, but you know you've done the same thing. At least, I'm preparing which is more than some of you can say!~ ;)
The lesson is on the arrest and trial of Jesus, appropriately timed for the next few weeks. One of the activities asks you to list the top 10 things you enjoy at church. You list them out and then you go back over them and line by line decide whether you enjoy that part of Church or worship because of how it honors Him or if you enjoy it simply because you enjoy it. The instructions go on to say, if it is on your list because of how much you enjoy it, ask God to show you His purpose for that activity in your life or if it is something you need to give up. Are you willing to let Him work in a way that may be uncomfortable but in the end will give Him glory?
Watch out now! I think the entire church should do this exercise. Don't you think?
So the closing line shouts at me: Sometimes the most courageous thing we can do is to be quiet and patient. There are also times God calls on us to speak out. We must be in a right relationship with Him to make sure we are making the right choices!
DING DING DING We have a winner!
Sometimes, I think teaching 9th and 10th grade girls is more about teaching me. :)
2 comments:
Hey, I didn't know you had one of these! I'm subscribed to you now though.
I am excited to see you on this! I have one as well, check out my facebook for the address. I now what you mean about wanting a dynamic church. Our church is not your traditional Baptist church, but we do have those that are still stuck in tradition. I will pray as you minister to those young un's, that is a hard age!
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