I wonder what would happen if the organized church had this attitude;
I happen to be part of a denomination of which some one said "You can worship Buddha; as long as you say 'Jesus is Lord'!" Well that may be true in some of our churches but I can tell you it is not true in all of them. If you want a good church fight just bring up the idea that a persons baptism is not an issue. To join the church of which I am a member you are to be immersed (I think that the constitution reads that it has to be a baptist baptism but we ignore the baptist part as long as you have been held under the water.) We especially have an issue if you doubt certain teachings of the baptist doctrine!
I do think that the idea of we are all in this together is done well; we are willing to do ministry with the other churches in the community; the building is used for a weekly community dinner.
Now for the last part of this statement "God is here, ready to connect with you in a fresh way." All God's people would say "YES! AMEN!" to the part up to the comma; God is here! "Connect in a FRESH WAY!?!" "Wait a second here buddy!!" Fresh way means we may have to do things we are not comfortable with! I might have to do something that I am not comfortable doing!!
The first one I think most churches (i.e. mainline churches) feel they have this attitude. I am not quite sure that this is true. Yes, we are willing for new people to come and be part of the gathering; we may even be willing for them to join but at some point they need to look like the rest of the ducks! We want the wood ducks to become mallard ducks; those new comers need to assimilate and look like us, talk like us and especially worship just like us!!You’re welcome just as you are.Your thoughts are welcome. Your doubts are welcome.We’re all in this together.
I happen to be part of a denomination of which some one said "You can worship Buddha; as long as you say 'Jesus is Lord'!" Well that may be true in some of our churches but I can tell you it is not true in all of them. If you want a good church fight just bring up the idea that a persons baptism is not an issue. To join the church of which I am a member you are to be immersed (I think that the constitution reads that it has to be a baptist baptism but we ignore the baptist part as long as you have been held under the water.) We especially have an issue if you doubt certain teachings of the baptist doctrine!
I do think that the idea of we are all in this together is done well; we are willing to do ministry with the other churches in the community; the building is used for a weekly community dinner.
Now for the last part of this statement "God is here, ready to connect with you in a fresh way." All God's people would say "YES! AMEN!" to the part up to the comma; God is here! "Connect in a FRESH WAY!?!" "Wait a second here buddy!!" Fresh way means we may have to do things we are not comfortable with! I might have to do something that I am not comfortable doing!!
I do think this is the attitude we need for the mainline churches, our churches, to grow. I think that the body of Christ need to move out of their comfort zone and do ministry in this attitude. The minimum we must do is support ministries within and without the four walls of the church that have this attitude! Here it is in it fullness
You’re welcome just as you are.
Your thoughts are welcome. Your doubts are welcome.
We’re all in this together.
God is here, ready to connect with you in a fresh way.
This is a sign inside Lifetree Cafes or Lifetree's site
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