Some Things to Chew On

So, a few pretty cool things happened this past Friday. First of said “cool things” to happen was that I became ordained by the Florida Church of God Ministries. Yeah, actually that was pretty neat. So what exactly does that mean though? Actually, it really means very little. I am still doing the job that I have been doing for the past year, however it was really cool to have the confirmation of my calling to ministry.

Well, anyways, this is actually not what I’m actually writing about. While at the conference on Friday, I was introduced to a guy named Bill that has forced me to ask myself quite a few questions that I am still chewing on quite a bit. And of course, I would like to post them here:

• Is it accurate to say that the majority of parishioners in the average American congregation are merely “observers” or even “consumers”?
• Is it possible to truly engage believers and bring them to a point where all are actively offering true worship in a group of 1000 people? 500? 300? 200? 100?
• When did church become something that only happens for about an hour and half only once or maybe twice a week?
• Have we over professionalized church to the point that if church is not led by “professionals” (i.e. musicians, lighting, sound, eloquent preaching) it is unacceptable?
• By building a building to “attract” people to Christ, are we not removing them from their circles of influence where they could do the most benefit to the Kingdom?

Ok, ok, so I know that’s a lot, and to be honest, it’s not all. Many of these questions and their answers are helping Rachel and I to begin to see more clearly what God may be calling us to in the future.

It is exciting, though sometimes frightening, to attempt to look past today to see where God is beginning to move to create His desired future. I guess our hope is that as that future gets closer, we will be willing and prepared for our place in it.