- Announcements in the middle of the worship service. There is nothing more annoying than to be worshipping God in song one second and then hearing about the all-chuch potluck dinner the next. Either put all of the announcements in the church bulletin or don't announce them until the service is over. I can't imagine Jesus stopping in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount to mention the fish fry to be happening later in the evening at Peter's place.
- Flags. I'm not talking about American or Canadian or Mexican or Russian or any other sort of national flag. I don't have a problem with those. I'm talking about the giant purple, pink, and yellow "Hosanna" flags that either hang on the wall or get paraded around during the singing time. The church can praise God herself; we don't need any loud colored flags to do that for us.
- "Visitor" time. Attention church: the last thing a first time visitor wants to do is to raise their hand and have every other person in the room stare at them because they are a "newbie." And don't do nametags either, this isn't a 12-step program.
- Praise and worship guitar solos. Now this cuts close to home, because I love me a mean guitar solo, but there comes a point when you have to ask yourself, "Does Lord I Lift Your Name on High really need another guitar solo?" And I believe if you have to ask yourself that question, you may have more serious questions to consider.
- Interpretive dancing. I know David got indignant before the Lord and got down with his bad self. And I'm sure he was great. But it is always awkward when the lady holding the microphone starts gyrating on stage to songs like I Can Only Imagine or anything by Casting Crowns.
All kidding aside, I love the Church. I love the body of Christ. I love Sojourn.
I'm not speaking of a specific place or structure or gathering. I'm talking about the Church--those for whom Christ died. Not brick and mortar. Real people. The communion of the saints.
The Church isn't perfect, but Jesus promised to grow his Church; therefore, I'm totally committed to it (Mt. 16.18; Acts 2.39-47).
The Church is precious. Christ purchased the Church with his own precious blood; therefore, I am going to love those for whom he died as best as I know how (1 Pet. 1.19; 1 Jn. 3.14-16).
The Church is called to lift up the truth and hold it high; therefore, it is the community with whom I will labor (Eph. 1.9-10; Col. 1.28-29; 1 Tim. 3.15).
The Church is the body of Christ; therefore, I must daily grow together in conformity to the fullness of Christ (2 Pet. 3.10-14; Rev. 4.4-11; Eph. 4.12-13).
The Church will prevail over the gates of Hell; therefore, in light of that triumph, I am assured that my worship and toil is not in vain (Mt. 16.18; 1 Cor. 15.54-58).
As long as the Lord gives me breath, I hope to invest my life and energies in the ministry and advancement of the Church’s mission. Even with all the announcements and flags and strange interpretive dancing, the Church is the closest we can get to heaven on earth.
And that's why I love the church.
i hate the american flags in church, especially right by the communion table, and I've seen them draped in front of the cross before on a video of some church in texas.. I dont mind the hope, scriptural banner type things so much..
ReplyDeleteI don't mind the national flags because God cares about the nations, and we should too. When he saves someone, he saves them from their sin (which would definitely include uber-nationalism that doesn't recognize Christ). But he saves them in the place where they are. Recognizing the American flag, or Mexican, or Russian, or whatever flag doesn't bother me, because caring about your country, the place God has given you, is a wholesome desire. Now, draping flags over the cross can carry some definite symbolism that would be hard to justify...I'll just label that as a bad idea all around.
ReplyDeletewhat about putting an american flag higher on the pole than the christian one? many are offended by the idea of having the american flag below the christian flag.
ReplyDeleteAt first glance, I'm not so much a fan of the Christian flag. I think the cross is an adequate symbol of the Christian faith for churches today.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, if you must have "the Christian flag," I wouldn't get dogmatic over flag placement in a sanctuary. If you put it above or below the American flag, your congregation should understand why. Putting it above could symbolize the Lordship of Christ over all nations. Putting it below could symbolize that the hope of all nations is built on the foundation of Jesus blood and righteousness.