April 3, 2006

I enjoyed your piece very much. I have a very nice Chickering console piano I'd be happy to donate to your church.

Thanks William

Having pastored more than one small church I immediately empathized with you. I understand that God measures our success in terms of faithfulness rather than accomplishments, nonetheless, I cannot escape that feeling that I am, somehow, failing as a pastor when I see the neighboring mega churches thriving and growing weekly. By the way, we recently replaced our church's furnace with a "gently used" one. New is a foreign word for most small churches indeed. Oh well, I guess the only time the word new really matters is when we're talking about New Life in Christ and so we'll keep striving to impact souls for His sake. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts.

Yes, but...

Your sentiments in favor of the mega-church environment all point to why this thing seems like the spiritual "McDonald's" of our age. Isn't it nice that church is so convenient? You don't even have to get up and do anything. We can sit on our lazy overweight american consumer rear ends and have it delivered right too us. That's perfect!

I can't imagine this is the kind of environment where we will hear anything that truly challenges the status quo. It speaks to our COMFORT, and what the heck, it is practically entertainment!

Is this a model to admire?

I've visited two megachurches thus far. While I miss the traditional stain glass windows and the cozy, wooden ceilings of my old churches, I feel more comfortable cupped in the auditorium-style seating than on wooden pews. I don't have to worry about getting up and walking "in front of the congregation" at communion - in a megachurch it comes to you! While casual clothing is becoming more acceptable, even in traditional churches, I can completely relax in my casual clothing in a megachurch! And, most important of all, since I didn't grow up with the Catholic option of attending Saturday evening services, this night owl appreciates the 12:00pm Sunday afternoon service times. I can both sleep in and get to church on time on a Sunday!

In spike of my admiration for such non-essentials, the liturgical faith of my past is calling me. I'm heading back to the "humble" Lutheran church of my youth, and it's there where I'll make my church home and raise my children.