I used to work with this highly irritating Baptist pastor (I know, imagine that). He was notorious for coming to staff meeting unprepared, and in general, he usually had no ideas of his own for the ministry of the church. He simply floated along, hoping no one would notice that he worked about 6 hours a week and spent half of that time in the line at the local Chinese buffet. Well, I have gotten side-tracked. Back to my point.
When we came together at Such And Such Baptist Church with Pastor Whats-his-head, we would all try to come to the table with some fresh ideas for the ministry. Again, Pastor Whats-his-head never having any of his own ideas (as apparently spending time on the gun range and at the local buffet did not produce creativity), would latch on to the ideas of the other staff members and then claim them as his own. Anytime, after the sharing of an idea by a church staff member, Pastor Whats-his-head would begin a sentence with, "I've been thinking..." we knew our idea had been stolen and claimed. It simply was the way he rolled.
Well, I, too have been thinking. I realize there is nothing new under the sun. I am well aware that there are others out there who are much better and deeper thinkers than I, especially regarding the things about which I have been thinking. BUT, I will share the subjects of my ponderings here anyway.
I've been thinkin'...
...that contemporary western church is not like Jesus meant it to be in Scripture.
...about the idea of house churches and their ability to be used to better create community and help God's people be better stewards of the resources He has given.
...about church programming and the busyness of life. Do we really need another event to attend?
The list could go on and on. I intend on fleshing out these thoughts in future blogs. BUT, in the meantime, have you been thinkin'? What are your thoughts on the current state of the church? On house churches as valid expressions of the Christian community? On church resources and church programming?
