Let me attempt to flesh this out some for discussion. I've always seen, much more lately, a difference in the mindset between Christians who trace their spiritual pilgrimage back to a para-church or a similar group dynamic than those who trace their roots back to having always been in the church. It is much easier to get the former group involved in doing ministry such as small group studies or activities than the latter. Although the latter have the same beliefs, they are more reluctant to become more personal involved in the ministry of others. They are faithful in the church & SS attendance, but they just do not see the need for additional ministries especially such as small group studies.
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 Perisseuo
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Christians and Christians |
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Posts: 249 05/16/08 10:49:58 |
John Chaney
"having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith . . ." (Colossians 2:7 NASB) |
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rodkirby |
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Posts: 479 05/16/08 13:09:41 |
There are two ways to look at this. First, those growing up in the church ("insiders") may be complacent. "I was born a Christian, I've
always been a Christian, I'll always be a Christian. I'm just fine the way I am." Those coming from outside ("outsiders") know from
where they have come, and have a deeper felt need for more intense small group studies and other similar activities.
Second, the "insiders" might be satisfied with church and SS attendance because their soul is truly refreshed and nourished by corporate worship and church ministries. They have learned the value of the ministry of the organized church, and see no need for other things. "Outsiders," on the other hand, haven't learned or experienced the sanctifying power of the corporate ministry of the church, and so gravitate toward para-church ministries. I personally lean toward the second group, even though I was converted through a para-church ministry. Consider Psalm 63. Verse 1 says, "O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water." The "outsider" will have that feeling and say, "Therefore I need to do more small group study and individual quiet time, to satisfy my hunger and thirst for God." But look at wht David says in verse 2: "So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory." When David had a deep hunger and thirst for God, he turned to established, organized worship to meet that need. I believe Christians in our day need to develop that same attitude as well. When you are running spiritually dry, your gas tank is on empty, the remedy is to attend more carefully and faithfully to corporate Lord's Day worship, where Christ has promised to meet with us in a special way (Matt. 18:20, which is in the context of a formal, organized church discussion). NOTE WELL: I'm not saying small group studies are not good, or that people should not be involved in para-church ministries. I am saying that we need to re-emphasize the vast personal spiritual benefits to be found in corporate worship and the ministries of the church.
Rod Kirby, Ph.D.
Dominion Christian High School Marietta, GA dominionchristian.org |
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Ole Pap |
Christians and Christians | #2 | ||
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Posts: 26 05/17/08 21:44:58 Novice |
I agree with Rod. There is a danger in assuming that you are and always have been a Christian. One might say I was born in a Christian family and so I'm a
Christian too. I think there are some who grow up in the church, follow in the footsteps of their parents, but never really have a conversion experience.
They become what I would call a passive Christian and maybe not even a true believer. In contrast to this the para-church ministry may be more action
oriented and one who participates in this kind of group sees faith being practiced and interplay that may be missing in their local church. It could be
providing motivation for them and by this they may have been challenged to practice what they believe. Either way they should remember that there is only one
Church and the para-church ministry is simply a group that comes along side of the church for a particular ministry which serves the church. It's not an
alternative to the church but rather a part of the church which focuses on a particular ministry.
Another thought is that something may be lacking in the worship services in their church that should be identified and dealth with. It's troubling today that so many churches try to appeal to the culture rather than changing it. This is reflected in the worship wars in our day that hardly resemble what God-centered worship should be. There will always be Christians and Christians at various degrees of development who are a work in process. If we are true believers (young or old) and our worship services are truly centered on God we will find corporate worship the best way to grow in God's grace. There needs to be a sense awe in our worship services as we enter the presence of God and having our character changed according to His Word. Finally worship is active not passive. We need to see ourselves as participants in worship and not an audience that just watches and critiques the minister. |
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Quick Reply
Replies
| Christians and Christians | 05/16/08 10:49:58 | Perisseuo |
| Re: Christians and Christians | 05/16/08 13:09:41 | rodkirby |
| Christians and Christians | 05/17/08 21:44:58 | Ole Pap |
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