I have been struggling a lot lately with my role at my current church and with the question of whether I want to look for a different church.
In an effort to get your feedback on my struggle and to hopefully prove to myself that I’m not just being selfish and petty, I plan to write a series of posts addressing some of the things that are bugging me.
Round Hole
If you read my previous entry, you’re aware of my attempt at not becoming any rounder than I already am.
Square Peg
In many regards, I think my church is pretty square. As in, “Gee, Wally, if we don’t learn to use email and the internet, people will think we’re square!”
This leads me to gripe #1
These days, how can a place, run mostly by volunteer labor, expect to get a very wide variety of things done if they don’t embrace the technology that is available to them?
My church recently brought online a fancy new website, but it seems that everyone but a select few are afraid to use it! And email is often treated like some new-fangled technology that can’t be trusted.
Believe me, I understand the hazards of email communication. The possibility of miscommunication, etc. But when our Session goes on a prayer retreat and then doesn’t see each other again for 2 months, it seems all the things that were brought to light are completely forgotten!
Some conversations need to keep going. Need to be kept warm so they can brew and percolate. And when we all have day jobs and families and friends and hobbies and life outside of the church building, face-to-face by itself does not cut it.
Now part of this may be largely due to the age of our church members. Something I will bring up in one of my next posts. Many people haven’t grown up with email and the internet. I get it. But some bandwagons are worth jumping on.
Are you a “churchgoer”? What has been your experience with web and email communication within the church? What has worked for you? What hasn’t? Do my concerns seem legitimate?
Please weigh in via the comments…
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4 comments on "Round Man, Square Church - Part 1"
1
I feel this might be an over-reaction to an issue that in the eternal perspective is not that huge of an issue.
However, in keeping with you question, maybe you should look for a younger church where everyone is embracing technology instead of fearing it. If that is something important to you.
Lastly, ask yourself next Sunday while sitting in church, “what is the church?” and see what The Lord reveals to you. Maybe it’s more than emails and websites.
God is Love
2
Thanks Kyle, I certainly can’t disagree. And it certainly wouldn’t be the first time I’ve overreacted.
I think there is some serious tension between “what is the church” universally and “what is the church” specifically within my congregation and church building.
As an elder in my church, I’m responsible for helping to make practical decisions with spiritual discernment… where to spend money, where not to. What to allow, what not to allow. Who to appoint and call to ministry leadership, what ministry activities to focus our specific resources on.
Decisions that are clouded and made more difficult by poor communication options and other things I hope to bring up in my next few posts.
I agree 100% with you. But do feel that communication is a key component of love. And in a contemporary Pacific Northwest church, email and internet are key components of communication.
3
“But do feel that communication is a key component of love.”
Couldn’t agree more. And I’m not saying that things such as twitter or emails or blogs don’t have their place in church. By all means I think they are there to only help us.
I think our interests are the same, to see a more unified Body of Christ. And whatever tools are available to help make that happen are great, but ultimately it is Christ who will unify us in love.
4
Nice posts there – thank’s for the interesting information.