Which churches are growing?

[Deadworm]

As most of you know, I'm a Methodist who has great respect for Roman Catholic spirituality and scholarship. That said, I can't fully understand why they are growing, especially the RC church in my home town. Catholics tell me they are attracted by the unchanging mass. That's very nice, but as a pastor, I always felt pressure to provide enough variety and innovation to keep worship interesting and I can't grasp the Catholic disdain for variety in worship.

This thread will soon be closed; so I will close with this claim: no denomination is worse than Roman Catholicism at its worst (e. g. child sex scandals and the Spanish Inquisition), but no denomination is better than Roman Catholicism at its best (e. g. their spiritual direction program, spiritual retreats, and rich tradition of centuries of neglected spiritual insights). My challenge is to keep my focus on the positives.

 

[Walter]

I’d add, out of touch with the community.

I would be interested in you reviving a thread that you started a few years back that explored this. Many churches are stuck doing the same things they have always done because at one time the things they are doing was effective as a way to communicate the gospel. I will see if I can find that thread. One of your suggestions was to meet in a pub. Flinging open the church doors on Sunday morning, evening and Weds evenings just isn't working anymore.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I would be interested in you reviving a thread that you started a few years back that explored this. Many churches are stuck doing the same things they have always done because at one time the things they are doing was effective as a way to communicate the gospel. I will see if I can find that thread. One of your suggestions was to meet in a pub. Flinging open the church doors on Sunday morning, evening and Weds evenings just isn't working anymore.

I totally am ok with having meetings in pubs and bars... are you saying you have a problem with it. I also believe AA meetings are a good meeting place, also fire houses, libraries, schools, court houses and community centers.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

As most of you know, I'm a Methodist who has great respect for Roman Catholic spirituality and scholarship. That said, I can't fully understand why they are growing, especially the RC church in my home town. Catholics tell me they are attracted by the unchanging mass. That's very nice, but as a pastor, I always felt pressure to provide enough variety and innovation to keep worship interesting and I can't grasp the Catholic disdain for variety in worship.

This thread will soon be closed; so I will close with this claim: no denomination is worse than Roman Catholicism at its worst (e. g. child sex scandals and the Spanish Inquisition), but no denomination is better than Roman Catholicism at its best (e. g. their spiritual direction program, spiritual retreats, and rich tradition of centuries of neglected spiritual insights). My challenge is to keep my focus on the positives.

Absolutely and because they are Trinitarian, I for one consider them Christian and don’t look down my nose at them.

 

[Walter]

Well, if you are spreading the Gospel and disciplining the converts, how can your church not grow. I think many here are looking for excuses for having a non growing church. A church that is not growing is not fulfilling the Great Commission.
The exception to that might be isolated geographic area. For the most part, if thousands live within a few miles of your church and its not busting at the seams, the reason is your church is lazy.

I totally am ok with having meetings in pubs and bars... are you saying you have a problem with it. I also believe AA meetings are a good meeting place, also fire houses, libraries, schools, court houses and community centers.

No problem whatsoever. I just used it as an example because your suggestion was met with a bit of resistance and I was hoping you might remember the actual heading for the thread. Your suggestions were some I have rarely heard among those concerned about the church 'being out of touch with the community'.

 

[Deadworm]

I would be interested in you reviving a thread that you started a few years back that explored this. Many churches are stuck doing the same things they have always done because at one time the things they are doing was effective as a way to communicate the gospel. I will see if I can find that thread. One of your suggestions was to meet in a pub. Flinging open the church doors on Sunday morning, evening and Weds evenings just isn't working anymore.

I have a book about a church that rents a Strip Joint and packs them in. It strikes me that churches that rent very secular places like schools often grow much more than churches with stereotypical church architecture (steeples, vaulted ceilings, stain glass windows, etc.). On a different note, I don't really understand the modern disdain for a church organ. I love a good praise band (guitars, drums, etc.), but I like variety and the majesty of a competent organist helps me experience awe and reverence during worship. Yet an acquaintance once overheard a visiting teen complaining to his friend: "Can you believe it? They still sing hymns and use the organ. Yuck!" I guess the younger generation no longer appreciates Bach's organ compositions. Sigh!

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

No problem whatsoever. I just used it as an example because your suggestion was met with a bit of resistance and I was hoping you might remember the actual heading for the thread. Your suggestions were some I have rarely heard among those concerned about the church 'being out of touch with the community'.

Frankly people are tired of lazy church services. Tired of listening to stuff that has nothing to do with peoples day to day struggles...tired of our ideas and theologies. What they will listen to is love. They will believe in life given and received.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I have a book about a church that rents a Strip Joint and packs them in. It strikes me that churches that rent very secular places like schools often grow much more than churches with stereotypical church architecture (steeples, vaulted ceilings, stain glass windows, etc.). On a different note, I don't really understand the modern disdain for a church organ. I love a good praise band (guitars, drums, etc.), but I like variety and the majesty of a competent organist helps me experience awe and reverence during worship. Yet an acquaintance once overheard a visiting teen complaining to his friend: "Can you believe it? They still sing hymns and use the organ. Yuck!" I guess the younger generation no longer appreciates Bach's organ compositions. Sigh!

Ha ha ha, that was our families breakfast conversation today... I love Bach and the organ music, especially Air. This is strings but I likes it.

 

[Squire Robertsson]

This thread is closed.

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