The church is the only organization in the world existing for its non-members
- An Arch Bishop of Canterbury
Plenty Valleys worship meetings have been changing with the influx of new people. Newly converted youth mess around, talk when its not there turn and talk with the person who is preaching. These people are getting saved out of hard places and Jesus is transforming their lives.
The people who are in the corps could have the right to be upset. Their comfortable, predictable church is changing and there are more and more new faces around the place. People even sit in "their" seats!
The church is changing from the mature (hmmm older...) Christians church into the new Christians church. It can be rowdy, unpredictable and sometimes it might feel we are flying by the seat of our pants not really knowing what might happen next.
There is a weird mix here. How do we cater for the people who have been around for ages and cater for the people we are trying to get saved? How much should we bother? As The Salvation Army, a mission for getting people saved, should we only worry about the people we're trying to get saved and the people who are going to get other people saved? (At PV I'm encouraging all the youth to get their friends saved so we believe in the priesthood of all believers) So, the question should be asked, should soul saving be the most important, guiding factor in how The Salvation Army does church? What do you guys reckon?
Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:31-32
Sunday, August 26, 2007
JESUS LOVES SINNERS
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4 comments:
The idea of 'preaching' or the 'message' inevitably finds its root, history and primary purpose in proclaiming the Saving news of Christ. In early Army history the preach was not meant for the believers, but for those whom would hear! I also love the idea of some spontaneity in meetings, perhaps it gives Him more opportunity to do what He wants to do? :)
You're doing great things for God James! What great problems to have! For what it's worth, here are my answers to your questions:
"As The Salvation Army, a mission for getting people saved, should we only worry about the people we're trying to get saved and the people who are going to get other people saved?" ABSOLUTELY!
"So, the question should be asked, should soul saving be the most important, guiding factor in how The Salvation Army does church?"
ASOLUTELY! I think we're not a church. As you said we're a mission for getting people saved. So keep on getting people saved! We should try to respect the existing soldiers & adherents but don't let them distract you from our mission!
Lord, continue to bless the ministry of the Plenty Valley Corps. Amen.
Great work James, and PV. Of course saving souls must be our priority. As new Christians start to mature, they will need help from people who have trodden the same path. Don't neglect the faithful soldiers already established in the Corps. At the same time, new Christians are often exuberant - I can still remember the feeling - and so they may be rowdy. If this upsets the quiet tone of the holiness meeting, gently lead them, but don't discourage or dampen their joy, rather catch it.
Church protocol is scary for newcomers, just love them, and guide them, they will soon learn that at times it may not be appropriate to but in during the sermon. In the meantime be grateful that they are awake and listening!
Julie
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