Hello. I really don't know where my ideas/questions would fit on here, so i'll start in and
if i'm in the wrong place, i'm sure someone will let me know
(sorry I had to laugh with I saw with little fellow in the smiley face section).
I am somewhat "new" to the church scene. I never attended, and here about a year ago
I started going. I believed, but one thing or the other, I never got around to go. One morning
I woke up and decided I was going to.
so, to make up for "lost time", I attend two church's, one service right after another on sunday mornings. The first is a Christian church, non-denom. I like it that the pastor has time to
give a long story/sermon, which I enjoy, you can relate things that way. They also like to
sing..I have problems with my back, and don't like to stand for long peroids, but they go
on and on for 15 minutes !! They are also "modern", but I have to say, I enjoy it more when
the drums are not played.
The second is a Methodist Church. Large building, moderate congregation. This bunch
also loves to sign, play bells, etc...etc........the pastor only has 15 minutes to preach.
But, they are more community minded....they have coffee once or twice a week, they
have a knitting circle, and the big deal is a weekly community meal.
I wish we had a hybrid of the two !!!
Myself not being a "cradle Christian", have a unique view of things...all the churchs are
wanting to get more people in.....like me.......but they don't seem to want to listen to
"us", rather transform "us" into "them".
We must somehow get the people in......just like in retail....the hardest job is getting
them thru the door. Have these "public" things rather than "church" things allows those
who are "unchurched", "stick their toe in the water". It's kind of like getting an animal to
eat....they are not going to run right up to the hay bale and start it.....they will start in
slowly, first smelling around it, then stand there, looking things over, seeing if it's safe,
then slowly come forward, then stop, then walk back and look at the situation....they at
some point in time, come forward and take a small bite, then pull back again, to measure
if they feel safe or "comfortable".
But many times, once someone has the nerve to walk in and just want to see what's
going on, they are mulled buy a bunch of people wanting to talk, find out your whole
life story, and you need to come to this bible study, and this and that..
I'd like to see the non-demon church become more community active....I think with their
service style, they could be successful. Some only are concerned about kids, but the
truth of the matter, there are a lot of middle aged, and elderly, that would benefit and
my not have a church home.
The Methodist maybe should stop singing, and having someone reading, and let the
pastor develop a message, rather than a 15 minute little talk.
But here is my problem, i'm a "newcomer"......I want to do all these things to upset
the apple cart and bring in all these new people...from more community meals, to
having a bingo night, pitch or card game night, and things like that.....something that
doesn't cost a lot but brings people in to "have something to do"......
How do I approach those who have been there for years, and it's "their" church ?
Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings.
(I like this little guy too)
if i'm in the wrong place, i'm sure someone will let me know
(sorry I had to laugh with I saw with little fellow in the smiley face section).I am somewhat "new" to the church scene. I never attended, and here about a year ago
I started going. I believed, but one thing or the other, I never got around to go. One morning
I woke up and decided I was going to.
so, to make up for "lost time", I attend two church's, one service right after another on sunday mornings. The first is a Christian church, non-denom. I like it that the pastor has time to
give a long story/sermon, which I enjoy, you can relate things that way. They also like to
sing..I have problems with my back, and don't like to stand for long peroids, but they go
on and on for 15 minutes !! They are also "modern", but I have to say, I enjoy it more when
the drums are not played.
The second is a Methodist Church. Large building, moderate congregation. This bunch
also loves to sign, play bells, etc...etc........the pastor only has 15 minutes to preach.
But, they are more community minded....they have coffee once or twice a week, they
have a knitting circle, and the big deal is a weekly community meal.
I wish we had a hybrid of the two !!!
Myself not being a "cradle Christian", have a unique view of things...all the churchs are
wanting to get more people in.....like me.......but they don't seem to want to listen to
"us", rather transform "us" into "them".
We must somehow get the people in......just like in retail....the hardest job is getting
them thru the door. Have these "public" things rather than "church" things allows those
who are "unchurched", "stick their toe in the water". It's kind of like getting an animal to
eat....they are not going to run right up to the hay bale and start it.....they will start in
slowly, first smelling around it, then stand there, looking things over, seeing if it's safe,
then slowly come forward, then stop, then walk back and look at the situation....they at
some point in time, come forward and take a small bite, then pull back again, to measure
if they feel safe or "comfortable".
But many times, once someone has the nerve to walk in and just want to see what's
going on, they are mulled buy a bunch of people wanting to talk, find out your whole
life story, and you need to come to this bible study, and this and that..
I'd like to see the non-demon church become more community active....I think with their
service style, they could be successful. Some only are concerned about kids, but the
truth of the matter, there are a lot of middle aged, and elderly, that would benefit and
my not have a church home.
The Methodist maybe should stop singing, and having someone reading, and let the
pastor develop a message, rather than a 15 minute little talk.
But here is my problem, i'm a "newcomer"......I want to do all these things to upset
the apple cart and bring in all these new people...from more community meals, to
having a bingo night, pitch or card game night, and things like that.....something that
doesn't cost a lot but brings people in to "have something to do"......
How do I approach those who have been there for years, and it's "their" church ?
Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings.
(I like this little guy too)
