February 15, 2008
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This is long overdue but I’ve been both busy and lazy and so…
Saturday Night (2:42) Coffee House is still holding its own. The Admin people decided late last year that they were indeed going to eliminate the Associate Pastor position (as they also attempted to do a year ago) so, after June, we will be without our favorite guy in charge of Saturday night service. At this point we are not sure if the service will survive or not and I have mixed emotions at to whether I want to be a part of it. The Senior Pastor will take the service over but doesn’t feel comfortable with the “discussion” format so we would be subjected to hearing his regular Sunday sermon. He also would not be interested in any of the set-up/preparation work and would want someone else to do it all. I think our coffee house idea is an idea that has yet to reach its full potential as far as gathering people who do not want to attend a regular, traditional type, service but we have more or less stopped advertising it lest we disappoint people when the “big” change occurs.
So….as I said I have mixed emotions. There are always the arrogant Christians who right away espouse the position that people shouldn’t attend a church because of the Pastor but because of God, but when certain individuals, especially newer Christians, are being nurtured by certain Pastors there is always the danger they are going to be cast adrift because of their feelings of loss of the relationship they have established with the Pastor who is leaving. These things never seem to be taken into consideration by those who run the “business” of church. But back to my mixed emotions, I like the kind of informal service we have and don’t think I can go back to a regular Sunday service where we all sit back and wait to be entertained by the people putting on the show. I want to see as many people as possible involved in what is going on. The Bible tells us we should all have something to share when we come to the service.
Above and beyond my preferences I am concerned with those who have been attending the coffee house. We are going to try and find out their feelings as to whether they want to continue on Saturdays while not being able to have the discussion type service we are used to. If there are those who want it to continue then I have to seriously consider staying for their benefit as there is no one else to lead “worship” for that service. If there is no interest then I will most likely be out the door. I have joked to several people both in that service and people I know outside that church about starting to meet at my house and had to stop joking about it because of the interest it was generating. It is a shame that churches are trying so hard to increase their attendance figures while at the same time they are making decisions that are driving people away from the organized church. I, as I hinted above, am afraid that decisions are being made as business decisions around a boardroom table rather than spiritual decisions made at the altar on one’s knees.
The good news is that there is a Methodist congregation somewhere in Western PA that is about to be blessed with an enthusiastic and quickly maturing Pastor who has a real heart to change people’s lives.
Work has been going pretty well. As I said last time, I have plenty to keep me busy and with the great work crews we have, we have been doing some great work getting our projects ready and completed in a timely manner and within our budget.
We finished remodeling our powder room before Christmas and are trying to get some other work done around the house. We are still putting together a teaching on prayer and worship for a prayer seminar the church will be giving in March. We are also gathering some ideas for the Saturday Night Easter Eve service. Both of these things are approaching rapidly and need to be completed soon!
Again, a quick thanks to those of you who still stop by and especially those who respond with a comment, they mean a lot to me. I know I rarely get around anymore so I can understand when others don’t stop here.
Be Blessed!
God IS Good!
Go Ahead: Say It! Believe It! Confess It!
You're Invited!!
Comments (5)
The early church did meet in people's houses. Small is good... Being a larger church has the benefit of more funds-- greater works/charity/projects are possible...
I disagree about not going to a church because of the pastor. If the word wasn't being preached and I didn't like the way our pastor walked the walk, I'd be finding a church where I felt comfortable. On the other hand: "If there are those who want it to continue then I have to seriously consider staying for their benefit as there is no one else to lead “worship” for that service." That may be exactly what God is calling you to do.
You have put so much into your coffee shop and Saturday night services, that this is very difficult. I would not presume to advise, only God can give you the right direction. What comes to my mind is that just as God allowed wicked kings on the throne in Israel to draw His people back to him, He will allow churches to go in the wrong direction when they do not seek His face diligently before making any decisions. There is a business side to a church in the sense that expenses must be met and tithes and offerings put to the best use for the furtherence of His kingdom, but a church is NOT a business. The business of a church is bringing the word of God to people that they may know Him. I am confident that as you seek His will in this situation, you will find the direction you need. I do see you and your pastor at cross purposes, so I cannot see how you can be yoked together on Saturday nights.
In His Service, Carol
Our pastor here in Dubai told us that based on statistics, USA is the fourth unevangelized country in the world. There are Filipino missionaries who are now starting to build churches in your country to reach the youth there.
I hope the differences among you would be settled for the expansion of God's kingdom.
God bless.
Hi Bro. Dale,
Well I left Del Rio tx behind and my sweet friend Allison Kohn is still there.
I am near houston on the Gulf Coast, my Hubby is also an Electrical Engineer and he got a good job up here in a Chemical Plant.
We have a ministry that we began in Del Rio, It's called Living Water. We minister to several couples we started frinedships then we began inviting them over for fellowship. Then it became bible studies, prayer meetings in our homes. Small groups are a powerful way to minister one on one. We have been serving the Lord for 20 yrs and He uses us everyday. Our marriage became stronger when we started having bible studies Mu Hubby and I every morning together even 1 chapter a day but together reading the Word together has transformed our marriage, our relationship, our lives.
God always has a way.
Hugs, Brother.
~Aida, Psalmist 103
God bless you Dale...
take care!
Your sis in crist,
Hui Si
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