There is an intersection not far from our home. Within a one mile radius of this particular intersection, there are 4 church buidlings (2 conservative denominational outposts, 2 conservative non-demons). From what I can tell, these churches seem to mirror one another fairly closely when it comes to doctrinal belief and practice - and probably aren't too terribly distant from one another in their worship styles and preferences.Why are there four congregations? Should there be? And what would life be like for the average member, for the ministries of the various congregational leaders, and for the reputation of Christ in the community if some of them were to merge? The answers aren't as simple as it would seem. Any thoughts, O readers?
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For some weird reason, I have written a lot about paper products this week. I can't quite figure out why. Besides my previous post, I also sent an e-newsletter out this week that discussed paper towels and offered book give-away using the paper towel theme.I can't explain this odd turn of events. The only paper product that is noticably absent from this week's posts is toilet paper.
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Some of us Van Loons have been handed microphones in order to tell people stuff. The jury is still out on whether this has been a good idea. I used to do announcements at our church in WI. Though many people remember the one that featured me hauling a couple of huge, bloody raw steaks out of a cooler to illustrate what people might consider bringing to the picnic, I like to think that my announcement-giving career had a lot of other highlights. And I have some warm (?) memories of watching our son Ben doing punk-style announcements when he was in the Master's Commission program at Souled Out Ministries. He had a mohawk, and his odd sense of humor and aggressive rebel yell of "next slide!" in order to cue the powerpoint people made for a memorable delivery. People may not have remembered what he said, but they sure remembered that he'd said it.
Check out this blog to see the logical conclusion of a career in announcement giving. Brilliant!
3 comments:
Michelle,
I just found your blog after you left a comment on mine. Very interesting.
Your two books on the side-bar look very interesting as well. I will be back.
First of all, Jim - you should read her books. They're great! I know, I've read them!
Second, about your blog.
I don't know how I feel about large churches. I went to Harvest several times and I just wonder how a pastor can shephard a flock that large. I guess there are people on staff that help with that. But then how is there enough for people to get involved? There's always enough things for people to get involved with, but people have certain gifts and are good in certain areas. And what about youth group? (you know this is my biggy) How do you (not you you)develop personal relationships with every student in super large youth groups? And there are leaders within the youth group who could help with that, but is it very effective if all leaders or the pastor don't know every student?
I guess I am just skeptical of large churches. I'm used to the smaller churches where the pastor knows your name and the youth pastor and leaders know all the kids ...
But I guess in some sense, a small church that is familiar and comfortable could be bad too ...
Oh, and I forgot to mention this - I can picture Ben yelling "next slide!" with a mohawk and it cracks me up! Between my coughing, I am laughing really hard! Or maybe it's, between my laughing, I'm coughing really hard ... either one ... ! I love your family!
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