I had not thought of Pentacost and the Tower of Babel together like that before. I have noticed other connections and will be on the lookout for them now! I found this piece very thoughtful and it resonates with thoughts I have been having. I have been increasingly frustrated by the focus on Sunday church, often (but not always, there are exciting things happening in other ways) elevated above any other ministries. I felt like the return to 'proper church' after Covid was a retreat. During the lock down I found that sense of community as people connected as much as they could. My small house group felt like a lifeline as we prayed and messaged when we couldn't meet in person. I had more time for my family, colleagues and to support in my community as much as I could during that time. Recently I read about a church that my father was vicar of during the 70s. It has been closed for health and safety reasons and the church are using Community spaces like the local library for midweek communion services, food bank, small groups etc. In one way I understand it is sad the church had to close (although I think there are plans to regenerate the building as a faith and community hub) and I have childhood memories of worshipping there. I was surprised however that mostly what I felt was excitement. I think after reading you article that what I sensed during Covid and now with my old church is the 'scattering' you wrote about that may not be as big, obvious and impressive but makes a real difference to people's everyday lives, especially those who would never step over the threshold of a church.
The one question I come to in reading through your post (which I wholeheartedly agree with) is if one were to leave a church who is bent on making a name for themselves, how does one know where to go and avoid making the same mistake? I agree prayer is the first and foremost step in that process, but I also know (from personal experience), our human tendency is to decide we need to move things along faster than God wants to and then get antsy and jump before we should. Where I live is not replete with "mega churches" as we are a small town, but we have much more than our share of larger, deeply indoctrinated evangelical churches (SBC is the primary flavor) or we have these very small, very rural, unfortunately Biblically illiterate evangelical churches that view salvation as a transactional, "punch your ticket to heaven" kind of event and whose NT seems to end with John 3:17. So the "where to go" becomes........challenging.
Such a good question and one my husband and I have both asked often and without a great answer. We are currently attending a church that feels safe, but they are in the process of putting on a huge addition. And that feels frustratingly familiar. 😬
Yes! Amazing piece. That is, in fact, my major problem right now. There isn't one single church who meets my beliefs and is like... simple. All of them seems to have turned into a club, lights everywhere, people jumping and screaming, loud pop music versions of what it used to be hymns, big screens and stuff. Doesn't make sense. And it's honestly 20% of the real problem. I don't wanna be part of it.
I hear you!! 😭 The young adult group I lead twice I month often feels more like church should. We eat, laugh, and then dig in to conversation and open sharing about a topic or question. It’s so good.
Great word! When I started out in ministry over thirty years ago, the megachurch was an idol of sorts, though I didn't realize it at the time. It felt like what every church should aspire to. I mean, there's a book of the Bible called "Numbers," right? Now, after a Job experience (as in the book of) that led to a hiatus from ministry, God has got that foolishness out of me. I am content to serve at my little church of 180 people or so. The crazy and encouraging thing is most of our growth in the last four years has come from 25-35-year-olds, and they all say the same thing: we visited the megachurch (or the church that wants to be one) and were turned off by the production.
We attend a very small church. Most Sunday’s are less than 40 people. We meet in an old storefront. The “leaders” refer to it as a transition church. There is no focus on growth. They focus on welcome, healing from church hurt, and community. Some people attend for a while then go somewhere else. They come because they’ve left the consumerism of the church. They come because they felt out of place in other churches. Yet, this little church thrives. Whenever there is a need in the community or among the people, it is met. The people give generously. We have been members of mega churches in our past. Since covid I just became disillusioned by what I was hearing and seeing. When we first moved to our new town we visited a mega church. I immediately felt uncomfortable when we walked into the darkened auditorium with the band performing. I felt like I was at a Sunday morning concert. In our early 60s and we are very happy with our small church. We have homeless people, on the margin people and rich people, one bank president, young couples with children, old people, recovering addicts, republicans, democrats. It is truly a mixture and we all respect each other. It is so refreshing to focus on Jesus and not church growth.
I literally love this glimpse into your story. And that your church is growing with young adults seeking authenticity. I think we are going to see more and more of this.
It's in our purpose statement! "We are here to lead people on the journey to authentic faith by loving God, loving our neighbors, sharing Jesus, and growing in grace together."
Jesus Has Left the Building:
https://open.substack.com/pub/bridgetograce/p/jesus-has-left-the-building?r=5h8n5b&utm_medium=ios
This. Is. Beautiful! Thank you for sharing. Wow. 🥲
I had not thought of Pentacost and the Tower of Babel together like that before. I have noticed other connections and will be on the lookout for them now! I found this piece very thoughtful and it resonates with thoughts I have been having. I have been increasingly frustrated by the focus on Sunday church, often (but not always, there are exciting things happening in other ways) elevated above any other ministries. I felt like the return to 'proper church' after Covid was a retreat. During the lock down I found that sense of community as people connected as much as they could. My small house group felt like a lifeline as we prayed and messaged when we couldn't meet in person. I had more time for my family, colleagues and to support in my community as much as I could during that time. Recently I read about a church that my father was vicar of during the 70s. It has been closed for health and safety reasons and the church are using Community spaces like the local library for midweek communion services, food bank, small groups etc. In one way I understand it is sad the church had to close (although I think there are plans to regenerate the building as a faith and community hub) and I have childhood memories of worshipping there. I was surprised however that mostly what I felt was excitement. I think after reading you article that what I sensed during Covid and now with my old church is the 'scattering' you wrote about that may not be as big, obvious and impressive but makes a real difference to people's everyday lives, especially those who would never step over the threshold of a church.
So glad this resonated with you. I also feel that most of actual church happens in small groups.
The one question I come to in reading through your post (which I wholeheartedly agree with) is if one were to leave a church who is bent on making a name for themselves, how does one know where to go and avoid making the same mistake? I agree prayer is the first and foremost step in that process, but I also know (from personal experience), our human tendency is to decide we need to move things along faster than God wants to and then get antsy and jump before we should. Where I live is not replete with "mega churches" as we are a small town, but we have much more than our share of larger, deeply indoctrinated evangelical churches (SBC is the primary flavor) or we have these very small, very rural, unfortunately Biblically illiterate evangelical churches that view salvation as a transactional, "punch your ticket to heaven" kind of event and whose NT seems to end with John 3:17. So the "where to go" becomes........challenging.
Such a good question and one my husband and I have both asked often and without a great answer. We are currently attending a church that feels safe, but they are in the process of putting on a huge addition. And that feels frustratingly familiar. 😬
But what do you do? I don’t know.
Worship unto God must be a daily thing, but worship without carrying out His word is a holdup and not His desire for His people.
Ephesians 2:10 NIV - For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Yes! Amazing piece. That is, in fact, my major problem right now. There isn't one single church who meets my beliefs and is like... simple. All of them seems to have turned into a club, lights everywhere, people jumping and screaming, loud pop music versions of what it used to be hymns, big screens and stuff. Doesn't make sense. And it's honestly 20% of the real problem. I don't wanna be part of it.
I hear you!! 😭 The young adult group I lead twice I month often feels more like church should. We eat, laugh, and then dig in to conversation and open sharing about a topic or question. It’s so good.
Yes.. for me small groups are where 'church' happens.
Great word! When I started out in ministry over thirty years ago, the megachurch was an idol of sorts, though I didn't realize it at the time. It felt like what every church should aspire to. I mean, there's a book of the Bible called "Numbers," right? Now, after a Job experience (as in the book of) that led to a hiatus from ministry, God has got that foolishness out of me. I am content to serve at my little church of 180 people or so. The crazy and encouraging thing is most of our growth in the last four years has come from 25-35-year-olds, and they all say the same thing: we visited the megachurch (or the church that wants to be one) and were turned off by the production.
We attend a very small church. Most Sunday’s are less than 40 people. We meet in an old storefront. The “leaders” refer to it as a transition church. There is no focus on growth. They focus on welcome, healing from church hurt, and community. Some people attend for a while then go somewhere else. They come because they’ve left the consumerism of the church. They come because they felt out of place in other churches. Yet, this little church thrives. Whenever there is a need in the community or among the people, it is met. The people give generously. We have been members of mega churches in our past. Since covid I just became disillusioned by what I was hearing and seeing. When we first moved to our new town we visited a mega church. I immediately felt uncomfortable when we walked into the darkened auditorium with the band performing. I felt like I was at a Sunday morning concert. In our early 60s and we are very happy with our small church. We have homeless people, on the margin people and rich people, one bank president, young couples with children, old people, recovering addicts, republicans, democrats. It is truly a mixture and we all respect each other. It is so refreshing to focus on Jesus and not church growth.
This is amazing!!! I love it!
We were turned off while snowbirding in AZ. The church even had fake smoke. It was always about the band.
At home we are in a small church. Even smaller than yours. But we accomplish a lot. Small Sunday school once a month.
I literally love this glimpse into your story. And that your church is growing with young adults seeking authenticity. I think we are going to see more and more of this.
I loved the word authentic. It’s my word. lol.
It's in our purpose statement! "We are here to lead people on the journey to authentic faith by loving God, loving our neighbors, sharing Jesus, and growing in grace together."
Love it.