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doyle

Hmm: Three songs and long sermon but place was PACKED OUT twice Sunday.

Acts-celerate Owner Posts: 6957 **7/16/19 10:44 am**

Just thinking out loud: Linda and I went to church Sunday with some of our family we were visiting. We arrived a few minutes early just as those from the first service were exiting the sanctuary. Just estimating, but it seemed there were about 300 in each of the two services.

The second service consisted of a couple of songs, an offering and two announcements. The Pastor, probably in his mid-forties, dressed in Levis and a sports jacket, preached for about 45 minutes. There was a final song, an "updated" version of "I Have Decided To Follow Jesus."

The service format could not have been more simple. Most of those attending the first service were older; estimated at about 60 years old average. The second service had far more youth and young couples.

As the Pastor preached, most of the congregation either had their Bibles open or were reading along on their phones. It was an excellent sermon on Matthew Chapter 18 "Seventy Times Seventy" in forgiveness.

It was a "No Frills" service, AND YET, the place was packed for two services. People were friendly, hung around in the hallways after service talking with each other. I was just a visitor, but it seemed that for the regular attenders, a simple worship time and the Word was enough.

HERE IS THE REASON FOR THE "HMM:"

Are we reaching a time when Worship and the Word are enough? Are we reaching a point that those who only come if there is a lot of religious entertainment, have moved on? Nothing here against entertainment, but are we beginning to see that the human capacity for entertainment is unending, but our ability to provide it is limited?

We certainly do want people to enjoy church, but are we finding that we can never entertain people enough to keep them coming? One Pastor wrote, "I finally came to myself. I had become like an Entertainment Director on a cruise ship."

WHACHATHINK?

Doyle
_________________
The largest room in the world is the room for improvement.

Dave Dorsey

Re: Hmm: Three songs and long sermon but place was PACKED OUT twice Sunday.

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 13654 **7/16/19 10:55 am**

Cojak

Re: Hmm: Three songs and long sermon but place was PACKED OUT twice Sunday.

01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011 Posts: 24285 **7/16/19 11:23 am**

Aaron Scott

Yes and No....

Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology Posts: 6042 **7/16/19 12:04 pm**

I cannot help but think that if someone is going to church just for some "cotton candy" sort of treat, they will find themselves hungrier for more. Then the may repeat the same process that brought them to that church: Namely, they grew hungry for something more, so moved on.

At the same time, it is my belief that the KEY element in having a vibrant and lasting church is...relationships/connections. People come AND STAY at a church NOT because of great preaching (although that might be an initial attraction) or great music (ditto), but because they feel connected. This might be due to having friends or family there.

I learned this years ago when I felt that our church offered better preaching, singing, etc. that plenty of other churches, but to my everlasting surprise, those folks keep right on staying at their church!!! UNBELIEVABLE! (SMILE)

Cojak

Re: Yes and No....

01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011 Posts: 24285 **7/16/19 12:48 pm**