Once again, Al Mohler hits on a very important issue in contemporary church life. You can read his post here.
Basically, it points to the problems we have in the apparent "competition" between Church Time & Family Time and the increasing choice of families to drop church out of the schedule of activities.
Is this a decision your family is making? What is your thought process?
Also, how is the church contributing to making this decision easier or more difficult?
What is your greater priority?
One of the interesting points is that the way the church splits up the family upon arrival is hurting rather than helping their cohesion as a family unit.
What do you think about this?
Pursuing Answers to Questions of Faith & Life,
Kelly
7 comments:
Interesting post. As a pastor, I see everything that was mentioned in Mohler's article. The challenge facing the church is how do you make disciples when you are only given one (at most two) hours on Sunday morning. Jesus said that being a disciple would cost everything. That doesn't mean that every hour should be spent in church, but it does mean that he is to be followed every hour. I sympathize with all I see parents going through and I understand why many will not come on a Sunday evening. However, I do wonder if what we are seeing is just a symptom of a bigger problem. There were seeds that produced no fruit because of the deceitfullness of wealth, the worries of life and the desire for other things (Mark 4:19). I hope my family can walk a simpler life as our child gets older: Christ at the center regardless of the activity. For that to happen, I will need the church, and the encouragement of fellow believers.
Since coming here, I have met a number of young people who have told me they feel called to ministry. Without exception, they chose work over the fellowship of believers. Some I see once every three months. I worry that some like Demas love the present world (2 Timothy 4:10). 1 John 2:15 says that those who love the world do not have the love of the Father in them. I think what I see is a symptom of a bigger problem. What do you think?
In theory it sounds right. But most parents I see want a place they can learn about God and how to grow in their faith. They need an hour of "adult" time. That is my experience.
Actually Kevin, the greater point was that many are now opting out of church altogether to do other things and other demands.
Adult time is good, so long as we also have time when the parents model true worship to their kids. Having everyone together regularly lets kids see their parents worshiping and taking their relationship with God seriously.
Kelly
I agree with you Kelly. I'm just saying that I think we need both.
True!!!
Heath,
It is symptomatic of larger troubles. For many, church is being scheduled out. For others, scheduled in.
What I find sad is that for many people and families, they have a greater sense of connection around a team than they do the Body of Christ. Some are able to connect more with fellow team parents than their church family. What are we as the church doing wrong? What are we not providing?
I don't believe this better identification with those "outside" would be occurring if there was true persecution going on in America. If you are singled out because of your commitment to Christ and considered "untouchable" to some degree, you will more and more identify yourself with Christ and His Bride first and foremost because they are the ones who best identify with you. You see that in other countries, like China, where believers find support and encouragement from their brothers and sisters in Christ first.
Not that I want persecution, but it does tend prioritize things.
Now my bigger question is, why am I hearing about this "child" that is getting older on my blog? Details man, details!!! Name, B-Day, rank, and Identification Number, Specialized Training. Let's hear it!
Kelly
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