Thursday, March 26, 2020
A Chance to Do Radical Church in a Different Way
I want to say that I appreciate all the effort so many preachers and full-time staff are putting into doing online church. But it really is awkward. And the smaller the church and resource pool, the more difficult it is. And I know many tune in to larger churches on-line services.
And I love the whole "church not the building, we are the church" idea. though I suspect your preacher expects you all back at the building when this is over.
But here is a chance to do church in different way. A more radical way. Skip the on-line church and do family church. I don't care if it is just 2 of you. Better if you have kids. Great if they are teens.
Pick the songs and sing them yourselves. You don't even have to do parts. Or play an instrument. Pick songs and give it a shot.
Detail your prayer time. Everyone can talk about who and what they want to pray about. And why.
Communion. Everyone can talk about what Jesus means to them. Why he is important. You can even take it as part of your family meal.
Bible. If no one wants to give an exhortation, just read. Philippians 4. Or Sermon on the Mount. Get in the text.
Dads especially, this is a great time to lead your family.
Everyone can participate. Our family church has everyone d either a song, prayer, Scripture, or thought. Best church service I ever go to.
Talk about how to live your faith the next week. Marsha and I call old/needy/lonely/compromised people every Sunday. Pray, ask what they need, tell them they are loved, let them know when we will deliver their requests. So far the most popular items are toilet paper, paper towels, Rxs, and dog food.
Write cards to people you love. Facetime. Marco Polo. My grands are teaching me that last one.
Church will be more real, more authentic, and result in more real connection.
Active church. Not just watch church. And you may realize you have been watching church for a long time.
Or do on-line church. Some of those are pretty good too.
But maybe try something different. It may be the wave of the future.
Family church. House church. Neighborhood church.
Maybe church really will leave the building.
And I love the whole "church not the building, we are the church" idea. though I suspect your preacher expects you all back at the building when this is over.
But here is a chance to do church in different way. A more radical way. Skip the on-line church and do family church. I don't care if it is just 2 of you. Better if you have kids. Great if they are teens.
Pick the songs and sing them yourselves. You don't even have to do parts. Or play an instrument. Pick songs and give it a shot.
Detail your prayer time. Everyone can talk about who and what they want to pray about. And why.
Communion. Everyone can talk about what Jesus means to them. Why he is important. You can even take it as part of your family meal.
Bible. If no one wants to give an exhortation, just read. Philippians 4. Or Sermon on the Mount. Get in the text.
Dads especially, this is a great time to lead your family.
Everyone can participate. Our family church has everyone d either a song, prayer, Scripture, or thought. Best church service I ever go to.
Talk about how to live your faith the next week. Marsha and I call old/needy/lonely/compromised people every Sunday. Pray, ask what they need, tell them they are loved, let them know when we will deliver their requests. So far the most popular items are toilet paper, paper towels, Rxs, and dog food.
Write cards to people you love. Facetime. Marco Polo. My grands are teaching me that last one.
Church will be more real, more authentic, and result in more real connection.
Active church. Not just watch church. And you may realize you have been watching church for a long time.
Or do on-line church. Some of those are pretty good too.
But maybe try something different. It may be the wave of the future.
Family church. House church. Neighborhood church.
Maybe church really will leave the building.
