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Friday, August 7, 2009
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There's more to church than the building Clergy View By PASTOR DOUG ENNIS The Church on the Wise Road, Brainerd It is a proven truth not all change is positive. To hang on to an old idea that works is often a good thing. Our elders taught us, "If it isn't broken, don't fix it." That old adage still holds up under extreme scrutiny and intensive use.
Many of today's churches have changed the presentation of their curbside appeal and built a big, fancy, impressive, enticing building to attract new folks. All too often the focus becomes the building, as the church, not the people.
In some instances, older people are discounted, and often preached to as though they have one foot on a banana peel and are soon to leave this earth. Therefore others are just biding their time until they can change the music, change the format of the service, and change to a "fresh approach to Christianity!" It is heralded under the name of progress (There's that scary word again!). Those who dare to differ are branded as "a stick in the mud" or something worse.
The truth is Christian churches have had their share of problems in the past. We have been labeled as bigoted, phony, pious, self-righteous "one day a week Christians," often with justification. Some see Christians as "over the edge, nut cases" and justified in that analogy also. Some folks have been disappointed and hurt by Christians and want nothing to do with them.
Another important adage reminds us "just because one dog bites, doesn't mean all dogs are vicious." There are churches dedicated to bringing the message to all peoples of all ages by blending the old with the new. In other words, the hymns cherished by your families of origin can still be sung and shared with our young people as a part of their heritage.
Older folks find it more difficult to move beyond their comfort zones and learn new music of the younger generations. However, most remain willing to do so when a few of their familiar hymns are still included and their opinions are respected.
"Easy does it" is another one. Let changes take time. Move slowly. Avoid drastic measures. Think things through into the future. Soon most of the tried and true "Sunday Go To Meeting" Christians will stay at home because too much feels alien to them. The old ways get lost in the transition and may have a far greater effect on this country (and the world!) than anyone has calculated. Are we all willing to risk these losses? We seem so into the "I" (feeling) toward God that we forget it is still all about "Him," which means worship and obedience to His Will! He is God!
So I challenge you to think! Is the problem really the building and/or the music presented or is it the individual Christian that needs to change how they relate (have a relationship) with their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? If we change how we live our life, according to the Will of God - one Christian at a time - won't the whole issue of stability and growth resolve itself?
Won't we be out there growing our churches by actually living a Christian life, helping our neighbors who live next door to us, by reaching our families in Christian love? Before you say "no," isn't it worth trying? We all seem willing to "throw the baby out with the bathwater" before the far-reaching effects of all this change has been evaluated.
If you've been having these same concerns, gather with us this Sunday at The Church on the Wise Road. Come help us build our congregation to be a strong church in the message of salvation, straight from the Bible, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All ages are welcome and we invite you to return again and again.
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