Posted on 12/06/2005 11:07:40 AM PST by Between the Lines
I think what makes this different is that the mega-churches are not set up for handling difficult children, or I guess, a lot of really difficult problems. My guess, and it is a guess, is that mega-churches tend to be lite Christianity for people who are pretty well off, spiritually and financially and just want a weekly feel-good session and no church responsibilities beyond the collection plate. I don't think the mega-churches felt their congregants would show up on Christmas Day because that would be heavy Christianity, not lite Christianity.
It's the traditional congregations that take people in whatever walk they come and try to help them. We deal with all sorts of problems, the strong helping the weak when they can, the weak helping others as best they can. For us, Christmas Day Sunday is like any other and this is the first time our congregation has abbreviated its meetings.
Today I spent some time with a widow of our congregation, helping her select a grocery order for me to get for her. Tomorrow I am meeting with three families who need help for Christmas. Later this week I will visit other families and assess their needs at this season. Last week I took several outfits to a woman who wanted to attend church but felt she had nothing appropriate to wear. Then I picked her up Sunday morning and took her to church. That same week I sat in the hospital several nights with a woman in my church. We are preparing to decorate the house of a family devastated by the father's debilitating disease. A friend of mine will take a fellow congregant to the doctor on Friday. Others will do Sub for Santa activities. Everywhere in traditional congregations there are people who practice Christianity every day of the week by sharing the burdens of fellow congregants and Sunday is no different.
I don't know much about the mega-churches but I suspect the membership is not quite as diverse as ours. I think they are probably more like social clubs where people come to hear the "good news" but seldom get to know their fellow congregants, let alone get involved in their personal trials. Because of that, I think if church gets onerous, the mega-churches will lose members and so the churches will not try to make Christmas Day "onerous" by expecting people to attend.
So what makes this year different is that churches are becoming less and less willing to demand the kind of sacrifices that build faith. And members are less and less willing to make those sacrifices.
And your analysis says something about the faith commitment of these churches.
Not something worth dying for if you can't even manage your children on a holiday.
My church will be open. I'd be deeply disappointed if they decided to close.
True. I can't argue with you on that. When church has to be easy for people to come, it becomes easy for people to leave. All I know is the more I have to sacrifice for my faith, the stronger it becomes. The only comfort I want is that coming from The Comforter.
Merry Christmas!
Exactly! It's not something to live for, if it's not worth dying for! And it's certainly not worth dying for if its functioning as a feel good club with little committment.
My church, which runs about 7-8 thousand each Sunday will have services as usual. Sin is preached every time there is a sermon.
Amen!
My church, which runs about 7-8 thousand each Sunday will have services as usual. Sin is preached every time there is a sermon.
We have 7 or 8 at our church too.
I heard this on FoxNews Channel yesterday and was absolutely flabberghasted. What are they thinking?
Oh, yeah, bottom line ________________
All these people are welcome to stop in at the Midnight Mass at their closest Catholic Church. Consider this an open invitation to any of the Masses on Christmas Day too!
It's time to come home!
Mary, the Mother of God, pray for us.
St. Paul the apostle, pray for us.
And that is how it ought to be.
I think it's special to have Christmas on Sunday.
I think it's special to have Christmas on Sunday.
I agree. But was out voted.
You usually go to someone's
house on their birthday for a party.
If not at least invite Him to your house.
(BTW I didn't mean 7 or 8 thousand
at our church.):>)
We typically have approximately 7-8 thousand or more each Sunday as well.
We're having services Christmas Eve this year. I can't say that I like that decision; however, I am sure that Saturdays services will be packed. Whenever it takes place, I am looking forward to a beautiful time of worship with my church family.
Yep.
God doesn't need us at church. It's the other way around. It is there that we come together as the Body of Christ, and meet with God.
That's why He set it up that way.
You do not present a very positive Christian witness.
You need to repent and seek the face of G-d.
Y'shua requires us to love even our enemies.
Y'shua also requires us to preach His Name.
b'shem Y'shua
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