Whats next, drive through baptisms?

[puros_bran]

I'm heading through Waco Tx just enjoying the scenery when a banner catches my eye. I do a double take because I know it has to be wrong... Nope, here's all the banner said.

www.30minuteworship.com/

So naturally I pull it up on the ole Blackberry expecting a clever gimmick or gag... Nope, it is exactly what it says it is. A 'church' with 30 minute 'worship' services. I wonder if you get your offering back if they go over?

 

[Joshua Rhodes]

I'm in Waco at Hillcrest hospital with my son... and I saw the same thing one exit up. Thought it might be something reaching out to those who have to work on Sundays? Church then scoot to work?

 

[puros_bran]

Maybe, I'm a bit skeptical though. Then again the Lord works in mysterious ways so who knows, maybe it'll work.

I hadn't been in Texas in a year or so, I forgot how hot it is. Can't wait to be back in Kentucky for my high 60's low 70's tommorow.

Hope all goes well with your son.

 

[Jedi Knight]

I'm in Waco at Hillcrest hospital with my son... and I saw the same thing one exit up. Thought it might be something reaching out to those who have to work on Sundays? Church then scoot to work?

Sure hope that's all it is..my wife works Sundays and I try to have some devotional before. But if this is like a quick fix substitute for the normal worship...then its sad indeed.

 

[corndogggy]

But if this is like a quick fix substitute for the normal worship...then its sad indeed.

If you think about it, if you take away the fluff, there's not that much difference. Most churches are right at one hour. Half of that is shaking hands and spreading germs, announcements that don't pertain to most people, taking up the offering in an inefficient way, dead space in between switching activities, etc. I bet you could do things more efficiently plus have the preacher get to the point more and not just try to fill up a certain amount of time and still have a great service with a great message.

 

[just-want-peace]

If you think about it, if you take away the fluff, there's not that much difference. Most churches are right at one hour. Half of that is shaking hands and spreading germs, announcements that don't pertain to most people, taking up the offering in an inefficient way, dead space in between switching activities, etc. I bet you could do things more efficiently plus have the preacher get to the point more and not just try to fill up a certain amount of time and still have a great service with a great message.

Now I've got to agree with CD on this one!

My church has a frustrated "Richard Burton" that does the announcements, and he tries to make a dramatic event out of everything he does.

I figure that NO announcements should be made from the pulpit EXCEPT some late-breaking event that is crucial to let folks know about, "RIGHT NOW"; everything else should be in the weekly newsletter for their reading pleasure.

Unfortunately, some folk just love to hear the sound of their own voice and will take any opportunity to grace the rest of us with their delight; and, incidentally, have a hard time finding a stopping point!!!

 

[Jedi Knight]

Well what I mean is NOT bulletin reading,but real bible study! To me the OLD HYMNS are just that OLD,so I could pass on the music if need be. But I love the word being taught and or listening for Gods confirmation. Give me an hour of that any day of the week!:smilewinkgrin: They can trim the rest!

 

[preachinjesus]

Ironically for the vast majority of "Christians" in our world there is really no reason that this couldn't be a meaningful time.

They don't worship during the week so 30 minutes or 60 minutes or 90 minutes isn't a big difference.
They've never encountered a meaningful movement of the Holy Spirit in their lives (outside of their justification.)
The only Bible they get during the week is on Sunday.
Their lives are so packed with other stuff that they are distracted for half of the normal worship service.

Now I'm not saying I support this. I am saying, I don't care about this. Maybe this works for some people. It doesn't work for me and my family. Yet when we break down our regular Sunday services in many churches, maybe all our people are getting is 30 minutes of focus.

I've read about some Catholic Churches doing drive through communion. Maybe this kind of a service is more about people sitting on the fringes than people involved in the game.

Just a thought.

 

[annsni]

At our church, worship is a good 20 minutes and the message is about 40 minutes. That's quite a bit over the 30 minutes.

I'd go to a church that maybe just had 15 minute worship then 30 minutes of GOOD SOLID preaching. That would be awesome.

 

[StefanM]

At our church, worship is a good 20 minutes and the message is about 40 minutes. That's quite a bit over the 30 minutes.

I'd go to a church that maybe just had 15 minute worship then 30 minutes of GOOD SOLID preaching. That would be awesome.

The perfect church for me would have around 20 mins of music, 20 mins of preaching, with offering and communion following.

 

[Jedi Knight]

"They've never encountered a meaningful movement of the Holy Spirit in their lives (outside of their justification.)" That's a POWER POINT in 3 seconds!:smilewinkgrin:

 

[Tom Butler]

Wonder what happens if the Holy Spirit is moving during the response, and the service is about to run over? Is there a warning bell?

Sorry, that's probably unfair. I'm an old geezer and seeker-sensitive churches make be a bit uneasy.

 

[Jedi Knight]

Wonder what happens if the Holy Spirit is moving during the response, and the service is about to run over? Is there a warning bell?

Sorry, that's probably unfair. I'm an old geezer and seeker-sensitive churches make be a bit uneasy.

Agree!
Funny that they call it seeker sensitive when scripture says no one seeks after God on there own.

 

[StefanM]

Agree!
Funny that they call it seeker sensitive when scripture says no one seeks after God on there own.

People DO seek when God is working on their hearts.

 

[gb93433]

If anyone has ever preached a 12-15 minute sermon he knows it requires a lot of work to do a great job. It is much more difficult than a 30 minute sermon.

 

[Jedi Knight]

People DO seek when God is working on their hearts.

Agree..thus I said on THEIR OWN they don't.:smilewinkgrin:

 

[StefanM]

Agree..thus I said on THEIR OWN they don't.:smilewinkgrin:

Then what is wrong with a seeker-sensitive service? It can be used to reach those whom God is "working on."

 

[Jedi Knight]

Then what is wrong with a seeker-sensitive service? It can be used to reach those whom God is "working on."

Would you define or describe a seeker sensitive service.

 

[Tom Butler]

Would you define or describe a seeker sensitive service.

While we're waiting for StefanM's answer, let me take a stab at it.

Seeker-sensitive churches are generally those who seek to meet the "felt needs of those in attendance. That is, to gear their services to those needs.

In this instance, the idea is, "you don't like long services? Fine, we'll have one for you that's a half-hour long."

Another: You need a more exciting physical relationship with your spouse? Great, we'll have a six-part sermon series on how to have great sex."

You need to have Sunday off because you work hard all week? No problem, we'll do a Saturday night service just for you.

You get the idea. Unfortunately, too many of those kinds of churches do not appear to respond well to people's need for a Savior. They're too busy helping you have your best life now.

 

[Jedi Knight]

While we're waiting for StefanM's answer, let me take a stab at it.

Seeker-sensitive churches are generally those who seek to meet the "felt needs of those in attendance. That is, to gear their services to those needs.

In this instance, the idea is, "you don't like long services? Fine, we'll have one for you that's a half-hour long."

Another: You need a more exciting physical relationship with your spouse? Great, we'll have a six-part sermon series on how to have great sex."

You need to have Sunday off because you work hard all week? No problem, we'll do a Saturday night service just for you.

You get the idea. Unfortunately, too many of those kinds of churches do not appear to respond well to people's need for a Savior. They're too busy helping you have your best life now.

Agree...I don't think they present the Gospel well enough for the non elect to reject it.:type: