Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone in Churches who thinks that condemning outsiders instead had the desire to do what was right? Wouldn’t it be great if actionless, faithless opposition and condemnation could be transformed into an action verb which required Church members to reach out to those whom they so condemned?
What a remarkable change that could take place if people didn’t merely pay lip service to God, while sprawling out on their backs, expecting to be ‘Churched’ like little babies in need of milk.
Real action is required to go downtown and spend time feeding the homeless, or seeking out those in jail who really need help, etc.. It takes no real effort to judge and condemn instead. It takes no real commitment to hate–you can do that without leaving the comfort of your favorite easy chair. Church should be a verb.
I thought the “Church as Verb” sermon was excellent. I especially liked the part about rethinking how to invite others to community and agree w/ AH that the best invite – especially but not exclusive to young adults – is service. To me, it can be study as well, point being that invite to worship service is not necessarily the best entry point for pre- and nominal Christians. I also am excited about the approach the UMC is taking w/ the “Join the Journey” campaign.
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2 Comment(s)
Fred | Oct 24, 2009 | Reply
Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone in Churches who thinks that condemning outsiders instead had the desire to do what was right? Wouldn’t it be great if actionless, faithless opposition and condemnation could be transformed into an action verb which required Church members to reach out to those whom they so condemned?
What a remarkable change that could take place if people didn’t merely pay lip service to God, while sprawling out on their backs, expecting to be ‘Churched’ like little babies in need of milk.
Real action is required to go downtown and spend time feeding the homeless, or seeking out those in jail who really need help, etc.. It takes no real effort to judge and condemn instead. It takes no real commitment to hate–you can do that without leaving the comfort of your favorite easy chair. Church should be a verb.
Jim C | Oct 29, 2009 | Reply
I thought the “Church as Verb” sermon was excellent. I especially liked the part about rethinking how to invite others to community and agree w/ AH that the best invite – especially but not exclusive to young adults – is service. To me, it can be study as well, point being that invite to worship service is not necessarily the best entry point for pre- and nominal Christians. I also am excited about the approach the UMC is taking w/ the “Join the Journey” campaign.