Worship and kids are currently a major issue in my thought life, and chats with God. Sorry if you are reading this in duplicate, but I did the blond thing and posted the response to the unity in worship on David's blog and then found the real link.
To me this issue is where our values (or lack thereof) kick into action. Too often we talk about "unity" and "respect for diversity" or wanting "youth" in our churches. But then complain about "the noisy kids in meetings", not liking the "style"... making all our politically correct utterances nothing more by empty cymbals / symbols as it was so nicely put.
Being a dad with two young ones I have firsthand experience of irate church goers, so on a slight tangent to the topic, it reminds me of Jesus and the young children where Jesus tells us to not prevent them from coming and what we do to the least of these we do to Him. I guess if we take the statement serious and yet bemoan the young ones presence and the inconvenience they cause - basically saying they are not really welcome- are we in effect saying Jesus is not welcome!
Maybe it’s time we look past our comfort zones to our own characters. After all, and here I agree $with Brian a good friend of mine, God is more interested in our character than our comfort. Actually it’s the times of "discomfort" that can have the seeds of greatest growth for us; if we are willing to embrace it earnestly, humbly, without expectation and in submission to God's will and God's kingdom.
It's a tall order, but one that can be achieved, not where we all conform, but one where diversity itself becomes a means to a broader worship and service to God, our community and our call as Christians. As James Ryle puts it "Putting forward a compelling case for people to come to faith in Christ" (from a great 5 sermon series called “living a legacy” http://www.truthworks.org/downloads/)
Probably too many thoughts in one go, but God bless and I hope that made sense!
3 comments:
Worship and kids are currently a major issue in my thought life, and chats with God. Sorry if you are reading this in duplicate, but I did the blond thing and posted the response to the unity in worship on David's blog and then found the real link.
To me this issue is where our values (or lack thereof) kick into action. Too often we talk about "unity" and "respect for diversity" or wanting "youth" in our churches. But then complain about "the noisy kids in meetings", not liking the "style"... making all our politically correct utterances nothing more by empty cymbals / symbols as it was so nicely put.
Being a dad with two young ones I have firsthand experience of irate church goers, so on a slight tangent to the topic, it reminds me of Jesus and the young children where Jesus tells us to not prevent them from coming and what we do to the least of these we do to Him. I guess if we take the statement serious and yet bemoan the young ones presence and the inconvenience they cause - basically saying they are not really welcome- are we in effect saying Jesus is not welcome!
Maybe it’s time we look past our comfort zones to our own characters. After all, and here I agree $with Brian a good friend of mine, God is more interested in our character than our comfort. Actually it’s the times of "discomfort" that can have the seeds of greatest growth for us; if we are willing to embrace it earnestly, humbly, without expectation and in submission to God's will and God's kingdom.
It's a tall order, but one that can be achieved, not where we all conform, but one where diversity itself becomes a means to a broader worship and service to God, our community and our call as Christians. As James Ryle puts it "Putting forward a compelling case for people to come to faith in Christ" (from a great 5 sermon series called “living a legacy” http://www.truthworks.org/downloads/)
Probably too many thoughts in one go, but God bless and I hope that made sense!
Thanks Charles,
I like the character and comfort quote.
David
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