If you had the opportunity to visit another church on Sunday, where would you go? I live in Dallas and we have as many (or more) church options than most. I have had the opportunity to visit a variety of Baptist churches and pretty much find them all the same. This is especially true among the large and mega-large variety. Yes, the music and style is definitely different, but beyond that they all remind me of a large lecture hall where the "expert" is up front telling us "poor dummies" how we are living inadequate lives and by following the 3 or 4 steps in their sermon we can be as successful=faithful=spiritual as they are.
I had been growing uneasy with the traditional process of doing church (meaning Sunday morning worship) and all of the hierarchal/authoritarian processes we use. It is amazing how similar most church services are to a university lecture hall save the band=orchestra=choir=vocalists and perfunctory announcements and obligatory greeting by "welcoming those seating around you". The other obstacle is the offering. What do you do with the offering? Traditionally, after the last hymn/chorus and before the special music. In contemporary fashion it is taken after the sermon, especially in churches which do not issue an altar call.
My really concern is with the sermon itself. I agree with Dallas Willard that it seems more like a psycho-social commentary on life and living. Not much different than Oprah and Dr. Phil except with an overtly Christian or Biblical emphasis.
It's hard to find a church that deals with spiritual realities and the issues of justice and mercy. This dance of faith called church seems too much like an old fashioned square dance where the caller and fiddler keep the adrenaline flowing, the heart palpitating and the mind completely disengaged!
I think I miss the slow dance of old where it was more about intimacy and hearing the soft voice of the one who loved you and whom you loved in return.
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