What to do about Church
I am in the process of trying to decide what to do about church. I currently attend what I would describe as a large London Evangelical Anglican church. More and more though, I feel I do not fit in. I am certainly on the periphery in terms of theology but recently I have found myself wanting more than what the current model of church offers. It seems to me that the whole thing is set up as a spectator sport. We sit in rows facing the front whilst a middle aged, middle class, white, male pushes out his theology to the rest of us. Despite protestations to the contrary, this model of church gathering renders 99.9% of the congregation a spectator. I realize that there is more to church than just the Sunday service - and that is why I have not yet moved from where I am - but nevertheless, the Sunday gathering is a focal point for this tradional mode of church and as such, for most of the congregation to be excluded from taking part, seems to me unacceptable.
In this connection I really like this article entitled “The People formally known as the Congregation” by a guy called Bill Kinnon. It reads a little bitter and, I think, reflects more of the US experience of church but nevertheless, I found I resonated with aspects of its polemic. For a more sober commentary, take a look at this follow up article by a lady who calls herself Grace - “The Underlying Issues”. You can find a link for both of these guys’ blogs in my Blogroll.
6 Responses to “What to do about Church”
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isc
Said this on May 3rd, 2007 at 10:10pm:It’s a hang-over within evangelicalism from either (i) the Catholic conception of the worship service (ooh - lovely American chari/evo phrase - my apologies!) as the local gathering of the people of God assembling before God, represented by being assembled before the altar at the front of the building and represented to God by (/with God being represented to the people by) the priest and then (ii) the Reformed conception of the Sunday service as being about “going to the sermon” to get taught by the intelligent pastor-teacher who would inculcate you with “sound doctrine”.
One is an assembly before the Holy; the other is a lecture theatre. If we want to have a democratic, community-based small meeting, then what’s stopping us? Personally, I like the “gathering before the Holy” kind of a way of coming together. But hey - it’s a free country…
AJ
Said this on May 6th, 2007 at 3:23pm:Hey ISC, I nearly missed this comment of yours - I will have to pay more attention.
Anyway, I most certainly agree, it is a free country, and I would be the last to push my conception of God or church onto another; if for no other reason that I am convinced I am wrong - let’s face it, there is more chance of me (us) being wrong than right when it comes to matters divine, so it is best to veer on the side of caution!
Still that said, whilst I do understand something of your love for “gathering before the Holy”, and there may be a place for it, I think I am still after something more community / context centered. As for your challenge, as to what is stopping us, I will respond in another blog.
rj
Said this on June 29th, 2007 at 6:03pm:Having only just got on to the blog excuse me for commenting on the past!
Is it also a reflection of consumerism?
Church is somewhere I purchase an experience from… I’m not responsible for it, if it isn’t what I want then I complain or go to another show down the road! If I don’t get my fix then it isn’t a good week… too many new songs and not the ones I like… the sermon too long… too short… I like it with a choir… I like it with…..! Umm not very incarnational more in the image of the consumer.
Individualism V Community
Spectators V Participants
I think it is also the problem of having professional christians, we pay these people to do this for us!
So back to the community of worshippers who share the responsiblity together to meet with God and worship him and grow in faith together.
Those who sacrifice their personal preferences for the sake of the other and adapt to include new members… changing to reach out to the wider community.
rj
Said this on June 29th, 2007 at 6:12pm:Have now read the links and think it exciting… people taking responsibility for our own walk with God!
AJ
Said this on July 7th, 2007 at 1:27pm:Hey RJ
You know, I really agree with your thoughts on consumerist church. My problem is though, it kind of suits. I can turn up, get my McHappy sermon, and go. It can be all about me - one of my favourite subjects - my blessing, my sin, my needs. Everything is done for me, prayer, praise, bible teaching; and if I need “hands on” prayer, there is a team for that too. Not only that, if I am feeling tired, I can just go immediately after; no need to really talk to anyone either - brilliant! Church on the go, for the very busy modern life style!
The problem of course is that it is not so brilliant but doing something about it takes effort. At some point, I/we have to decide to do something but that will involve real fellowship and considerable effort on all our parts. We might really begin to fulfil Paul’s vision of a body caring for and looking after all its members and clearly that is not going to suit my individualistic life style. Not only that, but such a community might actually challenge me on certain aspects of my life and clearly that is not going to work either.
I like it all about me! I like being able to manage my relationships such that people come close enough but not too close. I like it that church requires very little from me on a Sunday and certainly does not impact most of the rest of my week.
It all suits my busy, individualistic, modern life – I rant about how dissatisfied I am with church but actually doing something about it is a very different matter!
rj
Said this on July 18th, 2007 at 6:41pm:oh only just found your response today …!
Funny as have been talking to Mike M for most of today about church etc!!!!
Your honesty is fab… at least you know how things are and I recognise me in what you say!
I was at that conference recently and we were singing (no surprise there) and it was the line “for our inheritance give us the lost”. I thought to myself and then out loud with a Bishop … oh no I’m not sure I want them! (the lost that is) You see they have problems, and they don’t understand when I want to be on my own and read a novel, and they need lifts to places and food, and time and energy and thought and basically LOVE!!!!! (I think I still fear exhaustion as although it was over ten years ago that I burnt out I tried this love at the cost of oneself once before and it ended in tears! I think I’ve learnt a lot since then but it still shadows me)
I remebered the lines from another conference that talked of Korean theology centred around being “hostage to your neighbour” and I was like oh please I couldn’t do that!
That evening was when I ended up talking to George L, and when I explained some of this he smiled and said the thing is when I’ve been there in those communities it is so energising…, he was far more eloquent and elaborated but I can’t remember it all now. Yet I hankered after his description!
(I’ve had two other interesting conversations on this topic this week as well as the one today!)They emphasised the need for core people to initiate something! Can’t go alone, well of course not community and alone don’t fit! (Rj states the obvious)
As for me there’s a fear, probably a wise fear and yet a longing for something, authentic community, earthy, real life….and a feeling of excitment and experimentation and just doing something different… changing, trying even if it failed!!!!
Enough I could go rambling on but for the sake of others that may read this I should stop….!