Thursday, August 30, 2012
More things that distinguish congregations...
Last time I talked about distinguishing marks of a congregation that seem to be intentional. But there are other things that distinguish congregations that just seem to have happened over time. They become part of the congregational fabric. It is important to recognize these because, whether intentional or not, when these marks get changed, or when they are not seen as healthy, people get upset.
These may be things like fellowship meals, or small groups. After last post, several people at Southern Hills mentioned what some of ours are.
Here are two that have been consistent for the last fifty years: active youth programs and great congregational singing. Do you have to have an active youth program to be a strong church? Probably not. Don't see much mention of it in the New Testament. And some churches are examining the whole concept. But nothing gets people as riled up at SH as perceived problems in that program. I even know some of the reasons, not the least of which is that Robert Oglesby has been here for 30 years. We have ex-youth ministers in the eldership and on staff. And our youth ministry has historically been evangelistic so it fits well in our DNA.
And we have always been a singing congregation. Worship ministers all over the church of Christ got their start at Southern Hills. I don't think our singing is a result of any grand plan or any great theological insight. We have just always loved to sing and have been really good at it. It has become part of us.
So if you want to mess with youth ministry or singing at Southern Hills, you better be prepared to weather the storm. And if things don't go well in these areas, people are going to be upset. It's just who we are.
I think about these things because churches, including us, are always wondering and thinking about what our identity should be. What programs are effective? What needs to change? And for of the things I have talked about, it is not a matter of theology. That is, must we? It is a matter of what gets emphasized -- missions and evangelism in our case -- or what becomes part of your identity -- youth ministry and singing.
So for me, the take-away is to be sensitive to what matters to a congregation. So if you are looking for a church home, and you see no purpose whatsoever to a youth ministry program, you will be a little out of step at Southern Hills. Not right or wrong, just different.
In future posts, I will share some other observations some of you shared with me.
These may be things like fellowship meals, or small groups. After last post, several people at Southern Hills mentioned what some of ours are.
Here are two that have been consistent for the last fifty years: active youth programs and great congregational singing. Do you have to have an active youth program to be a strong church? Probably not. Don't see much mention of it in the New Testament. And some churches are examining the whole concept. But nothing gets people as riled up at SH as perceived problems in that program. I even know some of the reasons, not the least of which is that Robert Oglesby has been here for 30 years. We have ex-youth ministers in the eldership and on staff. And our youth ministry has historically been evangelistic so it fits well in our DNA.
And we have always been a singing congregation. Worship ministers all over the church of Christ got their start at Southern Hills. I don't think our singing is a result of any grand plan or any great theological insight. We have just always loved to sing and have been really good at it. It has become part of us.
So if you want to mess with youth ministry or singing at Southern Hills, you better be prepared to weather the storm. And if things don't go well in these areas, people are going to be upset. It's just who we are.
I think about these things because churches, including us, are always wondering and thinking about what our identity should be. What programs are effective? What needs to change? And for of the things I have talked about, it is not a matter of theology. That is, must we? It is a matter of what gets emphasized -- missions and evangelism in our case -- or what becomes part of your identity -- youth ministry and singing.
So for me, the take-away is to be sensitive to what matters to a congregation. So if you are looking for a church home, and you see no purpose whatsoever to a youth ministry program, you will be a little out of step at Southern Hills. Not right or wrong, just different.
In future posts, I will share some other observations some of you shared with me.
