Introduction

A few decades ago C. S. Lewis wrote a pretty radical book called, “Mere Christianity.” In it, he makes a very good point. That it’s not about Christianity and vegetarianism or Christianity and submersion baptism, etc. it’s just about Christ.

The Apostle Paul, who is perhaps our major source for explaining what is and is not Christian, made an ironically similar comment. In Corinthians 2:2 he wrote, “I came unto you determined to know nothing, but Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.” The purpose of this site is to strip away the walls of denominationalism, or culture and let people of radically differing ideas rest a bit. I’m going to invite a few friends to post here with the intention opening it up as a moderated forum in a few weeks. Our goal is to inspire each other and the occasional visitor with pure, simple intimacy with God.

These are my belief statements, there is only 2 in keeping with the theme of this site.

My belief statements:

  1. That everyone sins and falls short of what God intended for them.
  2. That Jesus Christ is the son of God, born human, and though he lived without sin he died to pay the price for our sin.

Thursday, November 8, 2007

I hate preaching

Preaching. I don't think anyone really wants to be preached at. Most of the people sitting in pews every week don't want to be preached at. I don't know what makes us think someone wants me to ring there doorbell and preach at them. I can't stand preaching most of the time. Where did it come from, anyway?

I'll tell you where it came from. The Greeks. Those Greeks loved their orators. They were celebrities in their own time. In fact the best orators could convince you of something you didn't believe, and they didn't believe themselves. Greeks would have loved used car salesmen. Remember they invented democracy, I don't know if they were trying to be more fair or if they just loved all the filibustering.

The question is, does the Greek tradition of speaking homilies belong in Church any more than say showing a film? Is it biblical? I can't find any references to preaching in the bible that isn't also tied to teaching. Think of it. Sitting on a hard bench, eyes forward, listening to a lecture. It's more like school than anything else. So why do we think of it as part of "worship?"

My answer is to be creative. If you think you already know the information being preached walk out. Hang out in the lobby and talk to other people who are bored. That way you get in some fellowship. You can't have fellowship when only one person is speaking. The word paster means sheppard. Bringing someone to Christ isn't accomplished by dragging them to church where one guy is authorized to speak for God. That actually takes you out of the equation when you are the one that attracts them to Christ.

Now that I think of it people don't grow through the modern system either. Sure their is a lecture, but compare that to how much you'd grow if you had to lead someone to Christ and mentor them from born again till ashes to ashes. Relationships mature people. They get messy, and uncomfortable but you grow up. A really good paster is probably counter productive to spiritual growth. People come once a week to get fed and they think they are doing their part. What if they had to go looking for what God wanted to give them next?

Just some food for thought.
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