The issue behind the issue which is behind the issue of possibly leaving one’s church (see my prior post for a good reason to leave) is this: What is the church? In other words, if I leave my church, what am I really leaving? 1. A functional view: I’m leaving the place where I serve and am served. Where I …
To Stay at your Church or Leave . . . part 3
Contemplating a move to a different church? Generally, I discourage moving (see my prior post). After all, a local body of believers represents a spiritual family for Christians. The phrase used in Ephesians is “members of God’s household,” then, “built together to become a dwelling in which God lives” (2:19,22). Heavy stuff. Ergo: Don’t leave lightly. Still, there might be special …
To Stay at your Church or Leave, Part 2
In my last post I offered a word of caution to those contemplating a permanent exit from their church. I hope you’ll look over that post before reading this one. A few years ago a married couple left our church for another, and I was impressed with their process (though I hated to see them go). First, they thought and …
To Stay at your Church . . . Or Leave? Part 1 of 4
Perhaps you’ve thought of leaving your church for another, but you’re not sure. It can be an agonizing decision. I’ve done it twice in my adult life — voluntarily left a church for another. Sharon and I have been at Grace Church Roseville now since 1997 and have no plans for another switch. I’d like to offer a word of …
Motive for Ministry in the Church
In my last post I mentioned my difficult decision at Grace Church Roseville to leave the music ministry in order to serve in adult education (our curriculum is called “Catalysts”). The main reason (of several) for making the move is gifting. Teaching is my sweet spot. Think of your church for a moment. Do you see people serving in places …
Generational Differences 8: One Last Word
If you’ve been following my Generational Differences blog, you’ll notice that I believe the differences between old and young in the church are significant and important. But not insurmountable. College students givin’ it up to Jesus at a recent conf. My advice to young people is to be yourselves but remain humble — or you will be humbled by the …
Generational Differences 7: Talking Across the Divide
Why is the following diagram so important? (You may not have time or inclination or keen enough eye-sight to pick through it. So I summarize it below.) It’s called the Entry Posture Diagram,* and it’s used in cross-cultural missions training. To my thinking it nails the issues of how the generations can and should talk with each other. Essentially, it …
Generational Differences 6: Advice to the Young Generation
Here is my hope and prayer for the 35-and-under crowd as they face generational differences with their elders (see my prior five posts): 1. Stay strong, be yourself. You really are different than your elders in many ways, and different is OK (usually). A few of the cool college students I work with 2. Be humble now or be humbled …
Generational Differences 5: Worship
First hour at a church I visited this morning, we sang contemporary praise songs. Second hour I led a few hymns for an older adult Sunday School. It was a study in contrasts . . . as reflected in the following chart: Worship music can be a sensitive subject for the oldsters. Many feel disenfranchised by the turn away from …
Generational Differences 4
What are the implications for young people in the inter-generational church? I promised to respond to this question but I need to put it off for a week or two. Instead, here are a few more generational differences. Category is evangelism: It seems to me that white evangelical leaders have spent the past 50 years reacting to the *social gospel. …