I read the following story describing an event in what is currently the largest Evangelical Free Church. My first reaction was "Wow, that is great! I'm sure the community will see the church in a new light." But my second reaction was "Why does it have to be either/or? Why do they have to cancel worship in order to serve their neighbors?"
The seats at North Coast Church in Vista will be empty the weekend of April 29, but members won't exactly have the day off. The church, which attracts about 6,500 people on weekends, is planning the largest community-service event in its history, with participants painting, landscaping, washing and rolling up their sleeves for various jobs at 54 sites throughout North County on April 28 and 29...
In all, congregants will tackle 92 major projects, including painting and landscaping Washington Middle School in Vista and Claire Burgener Academy in Oceanside, with up to 200 people working at each site
What do you think? Is this a good idea because people need the example and motivation of one big event or is it detracting from teaching and worship (I know service can be a form of worship) that normally occurs during this time block.
What about a small group or S.S. class? would this be a good use of class time or should the class look to study AND serve together?
My opinion: Yes, great idea. When else would it be possible to mobilize an entire congregation in this way? Wednesday night? Saturday? A big event that sends a message about our walks and how we live our lives: Is church synonymous with congregating? Is singing synonymous with worship? Is serving worship? A great experience on many levels I think. An opportunity to touch the people that may not darken the door of our church building. Big gain, with little to lose. Ultimately, will the believers survive if they congregate 1 less time in a year for the sake of being the Church to the un-churched on 1 Sunday?
ReplyDeleteI feel this is a good idea. With three E-Free churches very close together, why not make one large effort. Not to be like the Pharisee's, what would be the greatest community outreach? Hospital, nursing homes, assisted living homes, beautiful parks. Every person can give a Tract to each person we come in contact with. How about a free car wash Sunday, a men's golf outing for the express purpose of introducing Christ to all the golf unchurched? These are a few of my ideas. We could even carry "Colored Bead" walking sticks (or Golf Clubs)!~ BR
ReplyDeleteYes, this is a great idea. Sadly though, with the pace we live our lives, we would get our biggest turnout on a Sunday by replacing a worship service with a service service! People already have Sunday morning worship scheduled....trying to do it on another day wouldn't yield as big a number (but with our congregation, we may come close!)
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