handy
Member
Way back in the 'olden' days, late 70's and early 80's, I used to go to "church". Back then, young'uns, folks dressed up for church. There were actually clothes that were known as one's Sunday Best because one wore them to church on Sunday. Sunday was a day that was truly different from any other day of the week. We got up, dressed in our Sunday best, and went to church. It was actually called 'church'. Now, don't get all confused and think that we thought the Bible taught that a church was a building that was only open on Sunday morning, evening and Wednesday evening. We all knew that the church is the body of Christ. But, we went to 'church' on Sunday morning, evening and Wednesday evening. Wednesday evening was usually not called 'church'. It was called 'prayer meeting'.
Church was not a 'celebration' or a 'gathering' or a 'fellowship'. It was a time for the congregational worship service before the Lord. We sang hymns that had some fairly deep theological teachings in them. We passed the plate to collect 'God's tithes and your offerings'. We stood in together in prayer. The pastor preached from the Word of God. We had communion and every now and then there was a baptism service. Church was a quiet, almost solemn, but yet still joyful experience. No one chatted during the services, but folks gathered before to talk, and lingered long after the benediction to visit. That is unless everyone piled into the car and went over to someone's house where a roast or a chicken was already in the oven. Or there was a potluck. Then the visiting would continue on usually until it was time to go back to church.
Church was predictable. I could still tell you the order of worship we followed. Sunday School was at 9:45 and Church began at 11:00. Things wound up pretty much by 12:00 give or take a few minutes, mainly so that all those roasts and chickens wouldn't be overdone. But, even though we stuck to a schedule, the Holy Spirit still managed to touch lives and change hearts. Some of the stongest prayer warriors and most knowledgable saints that I've known in my life were raised up in that church.
Church was very much a place for believers. Oh, we evangelized. Everyone was encouraged to share the gospel with friends and neighbors and co-workers and invite them to church. There were groups that met on Tuesday evenings every Spring and Summer to knock on doors and share the gospel. But, the church service wasn't meant for non-believers. The church service, the worship service, was very much an intimate time shared with fellow Christians coming before the Throne.
As a congregation, we didn't grow fast. We didn't increase in our numbers by a lot, but that doesn't mean that growth didn't happen. In the years that I went there, new faces came. Others left, but mainly because they moved. All in all though, the membership grew. A few left because of problems. I wound up being one who left because of a couple of problems. But, I left on good terms, and still think of those good, kind, loving folks who were my first true spiritual leaders and companions in my walk with the Lord. And, the new church I went to was pretty much the same as the old one, except for doctrinal differences. But, most importantly, the new church also had prayer warriors and knowledgable saints who helped give me an even firmer walk with God. So, maybe the numerical growth was a little slow, but the spiritual growth was firm and lasting.
I don't really go to 'church' anymore. It is officially called a Fellowship. We meet Sunday evenings; it's far more convenient. The pastor wears Hawaiian shirts and Bermuda shorts. The girls (and some women) wear belly revealing tank tops with spaghetti straps. There is punch and cookies and everyone can stop by and get the snacks and munch while 'celebrating'. We sing spiritual songs, and I've added to the list of songs that play in my heart and mind. "Worship" is now synonymous with rock music. "Praise" is also another term for music, only music that is slower and a little more emotional. (Or is it the other way around?) Sometimes I really miss the old hymns, but they are never, ever sung, except for a jazzed up version of Amazing Grace. The atmosphere is very casual, and if someone needs to speak with someone else, they can get right up and walk over to where the person is sitting and talk with them about it. No problem. The best I can compare it to is being at a party where there is plenty of good food and good music and one person who dominates the conversation, but others can and do break off into their own separate conversations as well.
I know that somehow, somewhere it has been officially determined that the 'fellowship' that I now attend is 'Spirit-led and vibrant'. Apparently as opposed to dowdy old 'church' which must have been man-led and boring. It has been said over and over that these new 'fellowships' are more dynamic and the church HAS to be like this or new people just simply will not come. "Fellowships" are out-reach driven, as opposed to 'church' which was family time. And, since 'fellowships' are out-reach driven, they must be hip, young, and happening. If one wishes for a little more ceremony, a little more decorum, a little more acting like one is coming before the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords, well too bad. One is then just caught up in tired old traditions. If the old fogeys can't get with the program, then they have to be left behind. I guess during the 90's, the Holy Spirit must have taken some marketing classes, figured out how He had got it wrong with that tired old 'church' stuff, but now He's in the know and on the go!
(Sigh) I really miss church. I really do.
Church was not a 'celebration' or a 'gathering' or a 'fellowship'. It was a time for the congregational worship service before the Lord. We sang hymns that had some fairly deep theological teachings in them. We passed the plate to collect 'God's tithes and your offerings'. We stood in together in prayer. The pastor preached from the Word of God. We had communion and every now and then there was a baptism service. Church was a quiet, almost solemn, but yet still joyful experience. No one chatted during the services, but folks gathered before to talk, and lingered long after the benediction to visit. That is unless everyone piled into the car and went over to someone's house where a roast or a chicken was already in the oven. Or there was a potluck. Then the visiting would continue on usually until it was time to go back to church.
Church was predictable. I could still tell you the order of worship we followed. Sunday School was at 9:45 and Church began at 11:00. Things wound up pretty much by 12:00 give or take a few minutes, mainly so that all those roasts and chickens wouldn't be overdone. But, even though we stuck to a schedule, the Holy Spirit still managed to touch lives and change hearts. Some of the stongest prayer warriors and most knowledgable saints that I've known in my life were raised up in that church.
Church was very much a place for believers. Oh, we evangelized. Everyone was encouraged to share the gospel with friends and neighbors and co-workers and invite them to church. There were groups that met on Tuesday evenings every Spring and Summer to knock on doors and share the gospel. But, the church service wasn't meant for non-believers. The church service, the worship service, was very much an intimate time shared with fellow Christians coming before the Throne.
As a congregation, we didn't grow fast. We didn't increase in our numbers by a lot, but that doesn't mean that growth didn't happen. In the years that I went there, new faces came. Others left, but mainly because they moved. All in all though, the membership grew. A few left because of problems. I wound up being one who left because of a couple of problems. But, I left on good terms, and still think of those good, kind, loving folks who were my first true spiritual leaders and companions in my walk with the Lord. And, the new church I went to was pretty much the same as the old one, except for doctrinal differences. But, most importantly, the new church also had prayer warriors and knowledgable saints who helped give me an even firmer walk with God. So, maybe the numerical growth was a little slow, but the spiritual growth was firm and lasting.
I don't really go to 'church' anymore. It is officially called a Fellowship. We meet Sunday evenings; it's far more convenient. The pastor wears Hawaiian shirts and Bermuda shorts. The girls (and some women) wear belly revealing tank tops with spaghetti straps. There is punch and cookies and everyone can stop by and get the snacks and munch while 'celebrating'. We sing spiritual songs, and I've added to the list of songs that play in my heart and mind. "Worship" is now synonymous with rock music. "Praise" is also another term for music, only music that is slower and a little more emotional. (Or is it the other way around?) Sometimes I really miss the old hymns, but they are never, ever sung, except for a jazzed up version of Amazing Grace. The atmosphere is very casual, and if someone needs to speak with someone else, they can get right up and walk over to where the person is sitting and talk with them about it. No problem. The best I can compare it to is being at a party where there is plenty of good food and good music and one person who dominates the conversation, but others can and do break off into their own separate conversations as well.
I know that somehow, somewhere it has been officially determined that the 'fellowship' that I now attend is 'Spirit-led and vibrant'. Apparently as opposed to dowdy old 'church' which must have been man-led and boring. It has been said over and over that these new 'fellowships' are more dynamic and the church HAS to be like this or new people just simply will not come. "Fellowships" are out-reach driven, as opposed to 'church' which was family time. And, since 'fellowships' are out-reach driven, they must be hip, young, and happening. If one wishes for a little more ceremony, a little more decorum, a little more acting like one is coming before the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords, well too bad. One is then just caught up in tired old traditions. If the old fogeys can't get with the program, then they have to be left behind. I guess during the 90's, the Holy Spirit must have taken some marketing classes, figured out how He had got it wrong with that tired old 'church' stuff, but now He's in the know and on the go!
(Sigh) I really miss church. I really do.
: Now all I wear is a pair of pants and a shirt ... and almost flip flops
: 
We need to be extra special careful to keep our church inline... the world can sneak up on y'all. That would be... all y'all. 
You're posting now just to get a reaction. That's a violation of the ToS. We can be just as humorous as the next person, but we choose to honor the Word when it says to not be conformed to the world. Maybe if the RCC would read the Bible some more, they'd realize that too.