"I want a church where I don't have to do anything."

:laugh:I would say that I am the type that loves to just show up and not be involved, but I really ain't all that hot about showing up!:laugh:

 

I have seen this also. It can lead to a sense of distrust of newcomers who join the church and want to help. It can also lead to laziness on the part of some members, who will automatically assume that "so-and-so" will take care of it.

 

There was a time, about 25 years ago, when I was preaching, going to seminary, teaching SS and training union, working with the youth the sound, ect. And I loved it.

The truth is that it helped me more than it did the church. As long as I had church matters to focus on I wasnt straying off into the world.

I still feel the call to preach, but not as a pastor, more of a teacher based on my life's experiences. I went from the pulpit to jail, and now am working my way back again. But where do I start? I cant just pick up where I left off.

Its funny that you guys started this thread because it is exactly what my wife and I have been discussing for a couple of weeks. There are two things that we feel we can do to start. One is, we need a vehicle, and we are hoping and praying for a van. The reason is this, there are maybe 8 or 9 unchurched kids in our building alone, and we would like to be able to invite them to church and to get them there.

Secondly, we have quite a few older widows in our church that have to pay someone for normal upkeep and repair of their homes and cars. I would like to make it known that I am available to make those repairs and upgrades for them at no charge. And again, a van is needed to haul tools and materials.

This isnt much, but we feel it is important to participate and contribute what we can for own benefit, to help keep us in fellowship with God.

AJ

 

Remember Mary and Martha? Mary had chosen the better thing. Churches are too busy focusing on menial tasks. They think discipleship is about being busy, that bearing fruit is something they have to work at.

Tell me, what does a tree or stalk of grass do to bear fruit?

Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me. For I am meek and lowly, and ye shall find rest for your souls.

 

Want to know the seats in church are called Pews?

People sit there...

They soak up the sermons and services...

And like a sponge that becomes saturated, unless they release the water...

They start to sour....

Thus they start to stink...

PEEE EW!!!

James 1:22-25
(22) But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
(23) For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
(24) For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
(25) But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

 

What does a tree growing have to do with what God calls us to do after salvation? As Paul says several times, the church is made up of many parts, each having their function, to act as one for the glory of the Lord.

What you call "menial tasks" are essential to the function of the local church, and someone has to do them, whether it is preaching, teaching, serving, exhorting, being an usher, driving the bus, visitation, or whatever you are called to do. That is in addition to discipleship. If one considers that work, then maybe they should not be doing it. It should be an honor to serve the Lord. It is not busy work and toil as you say.

Everyone should share the load. The vast majority do nothing. They complain about not being visited in the hospital a certain number of times, yet they never visited. They complain about the bus being late, but never drove one. They complain about the church membership going down, but they never visit. They show up for church dinners but never help cook or clean up. On and on it goes.

So tell me, how does bearing fruit relate to doing nothing for the church? If I recall, James said faith without action is dead. If everyone carried their fair share of load, the rest would not feel overwhelmed.

 

I like that!

I plan to give this illustration to my pastor, for I think he will, too.

Ed

 

So when Jesus commanded us to go unto all the world and preach the gospel what He really meant was to do nothing? I'm sorry, but I believe that this perspective which equates discipleship with works-based salvation is one of the big reasons for the decline of the church in our time.

 

Who said do nothing? The commandment to all who labor is to "learn of Christ." Too many "ministries" simply see their members as resources instead of sheep needing a shepherd.

 

Scarlet,

I try to stess to our members to do what God calls you to do and no more. To be honest if you don't feel a leading to do the library and children's chooir, you shouldn't be doing it. There may be someone who is thinking, "I'd like to do that but Scarlet is already there."

 

The commandment is to make disciples.

 

And that is done through learning of Christ and loving our neighbor as ourselves. Not by being busy in this and that program, or on this and that committee.

 

If somebody said that to us, then we would say, "Well, we certainly hope you find one".

We have a rather comprehensive membership process and we make it very clear that church is not a spectator sport, and that you're going to be expected to participate in the life and ministry of the church.

That weeds out a lot of the pew warmers.

 

If you get burnt out think of all that you'll miss. IOW's let someone else do something.
MB

 

Scarlett...

Serving in church is a priviledge, not an obligation.

What I mean is....remember Mary and Martha? One was "busy busy busy busy busy". The other just sat at Christs feet.

Remember how Jesus responded?

There is a time and place for everything. If I were you I would think about resigning from some, if not all, of your responsibilities for a while.

For a season, just come to church and just *RECIEVE* for a while! Worship Christ, just "take Him in" and be refreshed.

God bless you.


:godisgood:

 

It absolutely is. A gift of God is not to be neglected. If everyone in the church used their gifts, then the few who have expressed feeling overwhelmed in some posts would never feel the whole weight of the church was on their shoulders. We are all here to carry out the ministry God has lead us to do, to make the local church work, and make each others tasks lighter. That is usually not the case though. It is a priviledge, honor, and deeply satisfying to be in the place that God has put you to serve Him.