And that doesn't count all the meetings and the gatherings for the super-spiritual elite (like 4am prayer meetings on Sundays before church).
Right now, I am watching a church like this from the distance. I have close family members that attend. The funny thing is that they love it. And the church is growing like crazy. They are are reaching people left and right. My family members that attend the church have been on campus every night this week and one early morning, and yet, they can't stop talking about how excited they are.
On the one hand, this church has a lot going on for it. The pastor is a pretty good communicator, probably the best in this area. He is a little old school, but this church is located in a rural area so it fits. The ministry (especially the "platform" aspects) is done with excellence. It is not that kind of church that excites me honestly, but they do what they do well and with passion.
The good thing about the busyness is that it seems to give the body a sense of involvement, and even though the church's pastor is pretty heavy handed, everybody has a strong sense of loyalty and connectedness to the church.
On the negative side, I wonder if the people are being taught, directly or indirectly, to love church as a replacement for loving Jesus. The busier you are the more you love Jesus. There is definitely an atmosphere of "If I am not here all the time I am not a good Christian." I also wonder if the church could be more effective if they did less (a la Simple Church). Obviously the preaching and music would be better if they had more time to focus on just one or two events (as opposed to the four-five they have now). And, what about doing ministry outside the walls of the church? Shouldn't that be the focus of the body? It seems like people are so busy doing ministry in the church that they don't have time to do real ministry. All too often it seems like busy churches haven't really thought about they "why" of their different events. They just keep adding one on top of another.
For example: what is the purpose of their Sunday School event? Is it Bible Study? That would make the sixth Bible Study event for the week. Is it fellowship? If so, is a sterile room on a Sunday morning the most conducive environment for fellowship and community? Perhaps are they doing Sunday School purely because they believe it is wrong not to?
It reminds me of watching my wife go through my kids' toys. They have way too many so occasionally we cull out the ones that aren't played with that much. Of course they throw a fit over each toy even if they haven't played with it in months. "I forgot about, but I love it!" Ironic. The truth is they are happier (and have a more efficient "play" life) when they only have a few special toys they can play with. Sometimes less is more. (I shamelessly quote people like Andy Stanley in this blog without any credit!!!)
I just don't think it is effective or smart to simply try to do as much ministry as possible thinking more is better.
On the other hand...
One could argue that more preaching and more praising and more praying is always better! Hallelujah Brother!!!! (Sorry Couldn't resist... I was having a little holy fit for a moment).
And that has too be true right? The Church did devote themselves daily to the Apostles teaching right? Maybe we have too few events in our churches not too many.
How much Bible Study is too much?
Can you please help me think through this?
2 comments:
I've been apart of the "ultra-busy" church scene for most of my life. It seems that the main problem is that many of those churches are busy doing things that arn't very effective. Of course you made that point already. I'm all about being busy, as long as it's doing the right and most effective things. As a pastor myself, I've heard so many horror stories about being so busy that pastors miss out on their families lives. I refuse to let that happen!!!! I would deliver pizza's before missing these awesome years!!
The priority in the "ultra-busy" seems to fill up a calender.
Yeah, that is an aspect that is often not discussed. Why should churches work against the family? If your church is pulling families apart isn't something wrong?
I was also thinking about the success of the NFL as opposed to other sports leagues (it is by far the most profitable sports league) could it be that they pretty much only have one day of presentation (sunday)? I know that there is a little more here and there (like monday), but if you want to wathc your team play you can almost be sure you can go to the TV and watch them on Sunday. Less choices makes for an more friendly user experience.
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