Today I was thinking about listening and it occurred to me that I have to work to listen even when I am just listening to the quiet. If I don't stop myself from thinking and intentionally hear the quiet, sometimes I miss it altogether. Isn't that ironic?
Monday, September 10, 2012
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Church: Re-imagined
Sometimes I get on a visionary kick. Somedays I feel as if I can do anything, be anything, and create anything. I know it sounds kind of juvenile and naive, but there are times when I re-imagine the world and completely believe that it could change! Actually, those times happen more often than not.
Since (as demonstrated by my last post) I have recently been thinking about the church, I decided to start day dreaming about a new kind of church. As I was contemplating this, I got really excited about the idea! I don't think it is enough for us to hold onto the same kind of structure, we need to build something entirely different than what our world has seen before. Something as old as dirt, but that feels completely new. I thought how I wanted to get back to experiencing God together, and I think it is possible.
What if we had an experience church. One with no pastor who gives weekly sermons. What if the people take ownership of the church and our weekly gatherings were led by the members of the church themselves. It wouldn't be so much instruction on how to live your life as it would be sharing life together.
I imagine board games available for people who just want to show and and play games with one another in community. Having fun together is crucial, and I think we tend to forget that a lot. It is also great for building fellowship and helps us learn to love one another.
In another room we could just have space for discussions. If you want to talk about something you could lead a discussion at church the next week. It could be anything from abortion or politics to lonliness or depression. No topic is off limits. And all would be welcome: kids, teens, adults... anyone. We wouldn't seperate from one another, we would all learn from each other! People just need space to talk to each other, and time to be heard. We should be intentionally doing this for one another!
Worship would be freestyle. Anyone could bring there instrument (kazoos are welcome too!) or you could just join in. It would be spontaneous, but welcome. People would pray for one another, build up relationships, plan to volunteer or serve together.
The church I imagine would be about experiencing God together. It would be a commitment to one anothers lives, to sharing with one another and taking care of each other. We would be the church to each other so that we could be the church to the world. With space and love. Not structured sermons and watered down worship. It would be a family of believers experiencing the goodness of God together. A taste of his kingdom. A place where people could just be. Just come and not have to do or be anything, just exist and be loved for it.
I don't think that people would find the need to hunt for a church that fits their specific needs if church were this way, because the church would be what you need it to be! Although, I do realize I am being extremely idealist here. I just feel that the world is ready for something new. People are thirsting to EXPERIENCE God... not just hear about Him. And we are thirsting to experience one another too (that's sometimes the best way to learn about God anyway). Afterall... the church is the people.
Since (as demonstrated by my last post) I have recently been thinking about the church, I decided to start day dreaming about a new kind of church. As I was contemplating this, I got really excited about the idea! I don't think it is enough for us to hold onto the same kind of structure, we need to build something entirely different than what our world has seen before. Something as old as dirt, but that feels completely new. I thought how I wanted to get back to experiencing God together, and I think it is possible.
What if we had an experience church. One with no pastor who gives weekly sermons. What if the people take ownership of the church and our weekly gatherings were led by the members of the church themselves. It wouldn't be so much instruction on how to live your life as it would be sharing life together.
I imagine board games available for people who just want to show and and play games with one another in community. Having fun together is crucial, and I think we tend to forget that a lot. It is also great for building fellowship and helps us learn to love one another.
In another room we could just have space for discussions. If you want to talk about something you could lead a discussion at church the next week. It could be anything from abortion or politics to lonliness or depression. No topic is off limits. And all would be welcome: kids, teens, adults... anyone. We wouldn't seperate from one another, we would all learn from each other! People just need space to talk to each other, and time to be heard. We should be intentionally doing this for one another!
Worship would be freestyle. Anyone could bring there instrument (kazoos are welcome too!) or you could just join in. It would be spontaneous, but welcome. People would pray for one another, build up relationships, plan to volunteer or serve together.
The church I imagine would be about experiencing God together. It would be a commitment to one anothers lives, to sharing with one another and taking care of each other. We would be the church to each other so that we could be the church to the world. With space and love. Not structured sermons and watered down worship. It would be a family of believers experiencing the goodness of God together. A taste of his kingdom. A place where people could just be. Just come and not have to do or be anything, just exist and be loved for it.
I don't think that people would find the need to hunt for a church that fits their specific needs if church were this way, because the church would be what you need it to be! Although, I do realize I am being extremely idealist here. I just feel that the world is ready for something new. People are thirsting to EXPERIENCE God... not just hear about Him. And we are thirsting to experience one another too (that's sometimes the best way to learn about God anyway). Afterall... the church is the people.
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