Over the years of doing church, some of the actual things (I am not making this up) that have been said to me by well-meaning church folk are:
The church is too showy.
The church is too culturally relevant.
The church isn't relevant enough.
You use too many props.
There aren't enough hymns.
We sing too many old songs.
You should dress up as a pastor.
Why don't you wear regular clothes like the rest of us?
There isn't enough singing.
There's too much singing.
It's too loud.
Turn it up.
Stand up when you speak.
I like it when you sit and speak.
Use the pulpit.
Use a table.
It's too dark.
It isn't dark enough.
Where's the cross?
Where's the flag?
What happened to the organ?
Why so many guitars?
Can we have more guitars?
Lose the drums.
Be less political.
Be more political.
Too much preaching from the Old Testament.
Too much preaching from the New Testament.
You use too many Scriptures.
You should use more Scriptures.
It's too topical.
I'd like something more topical.
It's too deep.
It isn't deep enough.
Service is too long.
Service isn't long enough.
It's too cold.
It's too hot.
Wait here while I go unscrew my head and toss it thru the window.
Isn't it funny how religion takes what God intended to benefit people and uses it to hurt and divide them?
Here's what God has called us to be: A church that looks to bless people - heal people - reach out to people - help people - see people changed by the power of God - accept people - love people.
Because Jesus is looking for the slightest crack in the door -- any opportunity to transform people's lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. It's been true since Jesus came to earth.
But the religious leaders were always looking for an opportunity to criticize. Their notepads were out - their glasses were down on their noses - all the while fresh from memorizing Scripture, their King James Bibles heavy on their laps.
God wants our church to be a place for the overlooked - a place for the unloved - for the forgotten. We're involved in the very greatest thing that can ever happen in the life of an individual.
Let's be more than OK with that.
And be blessed.
The church is too showy.
The church is too culturally relevant.
The church isn't relevant enough.
You use too many props.
There aren't enough hymns.
We sing too many old songs.
You should dress up as a pastor.
Why don't you wear regular clothes like the rest of us?
There isn't enough singing.
There's too much singing.
It's too loud.
Turn it up.
Stand up when you speak.
I like it when you sit and speak.
Use the pulpit.
Use a table.
It's too dark.
It isn't dark enough.
Where's the cross?
Where's the flag?
What happened to the organ?
Why so many guitars?
Can we have more guitars?
Lose the drums.
Be less political.
Be more political.
Too much preaching from the Old Testament.
Too much preaching from the New Testament.
You use too many Scriptures.
You should use more Scriptures.
It's too topical.
I'd like something more topical.
It's too deep.
It isn't deep enough.
Service is too long.
Service isn't long enough.
It's too cold.
It's too hot.
Wait here while I go unscrew my head and toss it thru the window.
Isn't it funny how religion takes what God intended to benefit people and uses it to hurt and divide them?
Here's what God has called us to be: A church that looks to bless people - heal people - reach out to people - help people - see people changed by the power of God - accept people - love people.
'Jesus is looking for the slightest crack in the door.'
Because Jesus is looking for the slightest crack in the door -- any opportunity to transform people's lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. It's been true since Jesus came to earth. But the religious leaders were always looking for an opportunity to criticize. Their notepads were out - their glasses were down on their noses - all the while fresh from memorizing Scripture, their King James Bibles heavy on their laps.
God wants our church to be a place for the overlooked - a place for the unloved - for the forgotten. We're involved in the very greatest thing that can ever happen in the life of an individual.
Let's be more than OK with that.
And be blessed.
6 comments:
Awww, maybe this isn't the time when I should make my thoughts known...but, I like so many things about JC. I wouldn't choose another church.
I think the church is very relevant.
I like some of your props. It makes it easy to recall a sermon when I remember what you did.
I like the songs the worship team chooses and think the band/choir are awesome! Don't lose the drums. The drummer is amazing...big shout out to him!
I will admit I have wondered why there is no cross. I came from a Catholic background, so it stands to reason.
Anyone that thinks you are too political has, obviously, not been watching CNN. :/
And I do like a longer sermon, personally. A couple of times you were pretty short and I missed it.
Anyway, I think things are pretty darn good there. And I like when you are a little more casual in your dress. Although, I still remember you and Joelene in wedding attire. You both looked gorgeous.
Lastly, you have accepted me, in spite of my short-comings. Thanks for that. I used to say you were my 'Jesus with skin.' In some ways you still are. Don't change a thing. You are an amazing pastor.
My mother claims that Journey Church is an "emergent" church. PK, would you be willing to explain what she means, why she considers it bad, and how you feel about this term? It seems to be an opportunity for some Christians to point fingers at other churches in order to glorify their place of worship. Just my opinion. Any feedback you can give on this is appreciated.
I'd have to know what SHE means when she says 'emergent' to tell you if she's right.
There are so many definitions of 'emergent' church that I couldn't say whether or not we are unless I knew what she meant. Some of the definitions are OK - others are not flattering. So, it depends.
Some characteristics of 'emerging' churches say:
We want to be like the culture. That characteristic in and of itself is even debatable, isn't it? Last time I checked, most churches use electricity. That's' kind of update, the way I see it. We also use modern music, screens, lighting, etc. If that's dangerous, then I guess we're 'guilty.'
Of course, we stop short of becoming or being like the world. We wear jeans, yes. But being like the world? I don't think so.
Another characteristic of emerging churches is their stance on homosexuality. They really don't draw a line and in that, maybe they define it as 'becoming like the culture.' You and I both know Journey Church has a position on that topic - and it isn't like the worlds.
Some emerging churches don't buy into the full Christian Worldview. We do - 1000%.
Other emerging church characteristics would be their stance on feminism in the church. They wouldn't have a woman pastor or speaker. I depart from that view. If that characteristic makes us 'emerging,' OK.
Another would be that truth is ambiguous - we can't really know it. We disagree entirely with that. There is truth - it's real - it's absolute.
Maybe some of the most common traits are that 'Emerging' churches are communities that practice the way of Jesus within postmodern cultures.
So i'd have to know which of those - or other - she thinks we are in order to tell you if that's what we are by her definition.
Bottom line - we're trying to love jesus and bring others to know Him. Blessings.
Some of the comments made are that "the music isn't anointed", she says that Journey Church "turns a church service into a rock concert. She says that the church feeds" spiritual milk to baby Christians and not meat", she says that because she no longer hears anyone speaking in tongues, that the true holy spirit isn't there. She says that miracles don't happen at journey because they aren't after God's heart, that we are all about getting a message that makes us "feel good". Last but not least, she says we don't read the King James Bible, which is the only anointed translation, and that all other translations twist the word of God.
I don't agree with this and it has caused heated discussions between us.
My mother is pentecostal. I have also heard others with southern Baptist backgrounds take similar stances on this and implored me to consider transitioning churches.
It seems that as the older I get and the more I grow in Christ, the more people I run into that stand behind a different doctrine, a different set of rules, a different agenda and opinion. It draws lines in the sand between Christians and I think it's sad.
It's almost comparable to gang warfare. What I mean is its different groups doing the same thing, but they put their own twist on it, therefore, the guy down the street who worships but goes to a church with a conflicting doctrine has just become an enemy? Are we not far off from church goers wearing their church's colors to show their alliance?
Our churches have mission statements and doctrines. We have separate worship practices and Bible translations. Does that make us enemies? It almost seems that way sometimes.
If we are the body of Christ, we seem to have an auto immune disorder that is attacking itself.
I've never really run this by a pastor to get his opinion. If you have anymore you would like to share please do.
Well ANONYMOUS - there is so much here to talk about.
I don't know that I should answer all of them one-by-one. But … here goes.
"Music isn't anointed." I really don't know how to answer that. It's in the eye/ear of the beholder. It's obviously anointed to me. I sense God's presence in it all. When people say something isn't anointed, more often they are expressing a preference for style, volume, etc. If it doesn't please them, it isn't anointed. I think that's probably the case here. Music can be loud and anointed.
"Spiritual milk" - Again, someone's opinion and belief - based on 'i don't know what.' How often has she been? You'd really have to sit there for an extended period to be able to say that. I suppose whatever I say in my behalf on that one is just self-aggrandizing. Nevertheless, I don't think that's what I deliver. There's always something to chew on and grow from.
On the related 'feel good' comment, same as above. I don't think I make people just 'feel good' in the least. I would say I'm actually pretty far departed from that.
"The Holy Spirit" -- Again - you have to come to be able to say that. We are now in three services. There are occasional messages in tongues or prophetic words given in one service or another, but certainly not weekly or even monthly. I will confess on this point to be stumped that people think the only place gifts of the Spirit should be manifest is between 11am and noon on a Sunday. There's so much to say on this point, I'll just let it go right now.
"The KJV" -- there's just no basis to this. It's what some people believe and - without trying to be unkind -- it is spiritual arrogance and ignorance. I don't mean SHE is ignorant - just that that viewpoint displays some ignorance, that's all. If we want to read any originality, we should read it in the Greek and Hebrew. The KJV is hardly the 'anointed' version or frankly, even the most accurate one now that we know more about translations over the past 400 years.
The rest of your comment i completely agree with and you state it with accuracy and eloquence. We have become experts at attacking one another. As for me, I think we have some great partners in our city who are Reformed - Baptist - Lutheran - Pentecostal - independents - Christian - and many other groups who are doing a great work for God and who I consider my brothers in Christ.
What I feared in my own response - as i re-read it - probably came true. It just sounds like i'm being defensive. But I firmly believe that we're doing what God calls us to do at Journey Church -- people are not only being saved regularly -- they're growing and being discipled.
We'll stay on that course.
Blessings.
PK,
A great post as well as a fine job handling the responses.
Church as defined in Acts and the NT is a fantastic thing. However, even the early church had issues over deciding who's words to follow, what practices to accept, etc. No church is perfect and will not "please" everyone. The key for me is in understanding if the church is preaching the Word, are they helping the community, are they relevant in today's culture, and are they leading individuals to Christ and discipling them? Personally, I believe that Journey Church is meeting all that criteria.
It is easy to criticize a church over petty issues, like the music. We all like what we like, and all too often we expect every church to meet our "likes". When we as individuals do that, we neglect the good that a particular church is doing, and unjustly criticize. No church can possibly be perfect for everyone.
Keep doing what you are doing.
A little humor...emergent churches...now there is a messy can of worms!!! In keeping with the postmodern thought...I believe the term emerging churches is so 2006.
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