So I've been going to First Baptist Church in Doylestown. I must say, there seem to be some great folks there and there is growth to be found there. I must, however, rant about Christmas Eve. It was more of an hour and a half Christmas talent show with the obligatory 30 second opening prayer and closing benediction; somewhere in the middle there was about 90 seconds of Scripture and then a 4 minute "sermon".
Nothing like 90 minutes of Christmas eve service without Christ.
Don't get me wrong. The soloists and choirists (my own word) and bell choirists are talented and as long as they were doing it to the glory of God and not themselves I don't think there's anything overtly wrong with that sort of thing but at the same time it doesn't include the congregation in the least little way.
I must admit that I haven't been going to service there on Sunday only the Sunday school classes which have been awesome. Unfortunately I work on Saturday nights and don't get to sleep until 3:00 or 3:30 AM so 9:00 AM service is pretty much out and then Sunday school is at 10:30, during second service.
I pray that regular services aren't as completely Christless. I'm hoping to have a job with regular people hours soon and that would be a complete let down to start going to service only to find it limp and lifeless.
Posted by slaw at December 29, 2003 02:45 PM | TrackBackI felt the same way. I only go because it makes my mother happy and she gets to introduce me to all her friends, but I can't say my first choice for Christmas Eve is to go to a church talent show.
Posted by: Lara at February 27, 2004 01:50 AMFor years, loneliness was my companion because I couldn't be charitable about things, said and done by others, which weren't in accordance with my personal opinion of how things should be. It was only when I accepted my beautiful Father in heaven that I realized that there is enough for me to worry about and work at improving within myself. If something was wrong with the way things were being done, particularly at church, my responsibility was to talk to Him about it, to offer to support Him, and to do anything He needed me to do to bring about positive change in His house. If you are disappointed because your pastor seems to have left the Christ out of Christianity, then it's very likely true that others feel the same way. It's wonderful that you get so much benefit from Sunday School. Is there an appropriate committee at the church that you could join -- or at least speak to -- to voice your concern in a straightforward Christian manner? You realize you are just as much a member of that church as anyone else, don't you? We are all God's children, and I've never heard anything about Him having seniority lists. I'm not criticizing you in any way, but urging you to "take it to God in prayer" and take steps to encourage the pastor to place more emphasis on recognizing Christ in His own house.
I grinned when I read about your use of choirist. As a former organist and choirmaster, I'm curious to know what made you feel that the existing term was inadequate.
Finally, I am so pleased to read an article from someone who cares so much about faith and about loyalty and gratitude to God. People like you can make a real difference in a church over time, but only if they keep the King of Kings first and foremost in all their thoughts. Accept your ability to bring about change and do it. God bless you, and I wish you a safe, blessed and joyful Christmas season.
Posted by: Michael at November 23, 2004 07:21 PM