Should Church Be Fun?

A little over a week ago I asked, "Is church fun or boring?"  I was hoping for a few more responses, but I am encouraged that the two people who commented said that church was fun for them.  I am thankful to be a part of their church and their lives!

However, I'm still having some trouble saying church should be fun.  I think it partly depends on your definition of fun.  Dictionaries define fun as enjoyment, amusement, pleasure.  I enjoy kidding around with people, even from the pulpit on occasion.  I enjoy humorous illustrations in sermons.  I take pleasure in people serving well through music, reading Scripture, etc.  I'm in favour of fun in church in those terms.

I guess what is really bothering me about this is that I don't believe that going to church should be primarily about us.  While there are several legitimate purposes for "Sunday morning church," I believe that worshipping God should be Number One.  If anyone has fun at church it should be God!  He should be finding pleasure and enjoyment in our praise to Him.  It seems to me that many people have missed this.  We go to church to be entertained.  We get something out of worship only when it fits our preferred styles.  We see ourselves as the audience who should be having the fun.  We forget that God is the audience that we are to please.

Church should not be boring.  It will not be boring if we focus on God.  Rather than going to church looking for fun, I see fun(enjoyment, pleasure) as a by-product of spending time with God in worship.

Dave 

Your Dad or Your Dog?

With Father's Day on the horizon I found a study comparing dogs and dads more than a little disconcerting.  A group of college students was asked how strongly they agreed with the following statements about their dogs and members of their family.  

- I can count on my dog being there for me.
- I miss my dog when I am away from him or her.
- When I am feeling bad and need a boost, I turn to my dog to help me feel better.
- I can depend on my dog to care about me no matter what.
- I can count on my dog for comfort.
- I have an emotional tie to my dog.
- I would be upset if I had to be away from my dog for a long while.
- My dog holds a special place in my heart.

Apparently Dads scored lower in a number of cases than pet dogs!  (you can see the article here) I have had dogs and enjoy dogs, but I cannot fathom this.  Who's to blame?  I don't doubt that Dads have some work to do in letting their kids know they are loved and cared for.  But I also wonder about the students surveyed.  I have never felt more affection for my dog than my Dad or any other member of my family.  Is it simply easier to relate to a pet than working at a relationship with parents?

If you dare, take the test,(I wonder how I'll rate with my kids!) then get off the computer and strengthen those family ties!  

To my Dad: Thanks for being there for me my whole life.  You're far better than any dog any day!  I love you.

Dave

                                        

Is Going to Church Fun or a Duty?

Our church leadership board is going through a book by Abe Funk called, Hope for the Small Church.  In Lesson 3, Abe summarizes eight characteristics of a healthy church, taken from Christian Schwarz's Natural Church Development.  One of the eight characteristics of a healthy church is said to be Inspiring Worship Services.  The summary reads, "Is going to church fun, or a duty?"  

Schwarz wrote a little more about this.  He says, 

Whenever the Holy Spirit is truly at work(and His presence is not merely presumed), He will have a concrete effect upon the way a worship service is conducted including the entire atmosphere of a gathering.  People attending truly "inspired" services typically indicate that "going to church is fun."

Here are some questions I'd love to get some responses to:

1.  Why do you go or not go to church?

2.  Is church fun for you?  Why or why not?

3.  Should church be "fun"?  Is that the right word or do we mean something else?

I'll answer those questions for myself in a later post.  For now, it's your turn!

Dave

Help for Myanmar/Gospel For Asia

I am having trouble understanding  the government of Myanmar's refusal of aid for the disaster that has crippled their country.  While they continue to stall the offered help, relief experts predict that up to two million more people could die of starvation and disease.  The best explanation I can find is that their pride and power-hungry attitude is more important than their citizens.  They continue to insist that they can handle the situation and don't need help.  While their stubborn stance may be softening, will it be in time?

The good news is that they have allowed some Christian groups to be actively involved.  The World Vision website says, "World Vision is on the ground in Myanmar, working with the national government, to distribute clothing, blankets, food and emergency shelter material to those in the hardest hit areas."  

Another group with deep roots in Myanmar is Gospel for Asia(link).  This is a mission we have supported for a few years now.  Their philosophy of ministry is to train native missionaries who already know the language and culture and are willing to live at the level of the people they serve.  This is far more cost-effective than sending missionaries from the West and removes many social barriers.  Gospel for Asia has 400 churches and 250 mission stations in Myanmar.  They have a Bible school in Yangoon, the country's largest city.  As a result, Gospel for Asia is well-established and known in the country.  While outsiders are having trouble getting in, Gospel for Asia is already there.  Their website reports:

"Because of our previous service to the nation in times of such need, our national leader has a good reputation among government leaders, and the local churches are held in high regard," explained GFA President and Founder K.P. Yohannan. "As a result, the government has agreed to allow GFA/Believers Church to not only bring in supplies, but also to make sure they reach the people who are in such desperate need."

We need to pray for the survivors.  We need to pray that the government will allow foreign aid to come in.  I  also encourage you to give to the relief effort in Myanmar and it makes sense to me to give through Gospel for Asia.  You can do so right from their website.  While you're at it, check out the opportunity to sponsor a native missionary with GFA.

It is more blessed to give than to receive!

Dave

Precious in the Sight of the Lord

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Psalm 116:15

My wife's mother went to be with the Lord last Tuesday morning.  We received a call at 3:30 a.m. to say she didn't have much time left.  Most of the family was at her side by 3:45 a.m.  Mom was not responsive.  Her eyes were shut.  We said our goodbyes and stood there waiting.  It seemed so awkward.  No one knew what more to do or say.  I finally asked for a Bible and read Psalm 23 and then 2Corinthians 5:1-9.  Shortly after that, just three or four minutes before her last breath,  Mom jerked her head up a little and opened her eyes.  She wasn't seeing any of us.  I can't help but wonder if she was seeing her Saviour and her new home.  From that point her breathing slowed and she went peacefully into eternity.

This was my first time to be present when someone died.  There is probably no "normal" in these situations, but I thought it might be helpful to share some observations and thoughts.  It was very hard.  It was awkward, uncomfortable and sad.  I was reminded that death is still our enemy, as Paul says in 1Corinthians 15.  We do not readily accept it, nor should we.  It is the result of sin coming into the world and it hurts!

And yet it is an enemy that will one day be abolished.  Jesus has already won the victory.  It is just a matter of time before we experience that victory for ourselves.  That is why the psalmist can say that a saint's death is precious to the Lord.  Seen from God's perspective death is not the end, but the beginning of forever with Him for those who put their faith in Christ.  We would not wish Mom back from there!  This is the ultimate in God's power overcoming our weakness!  So we live with the sadness and the void, but also look ahead by faith to going through that same door to that same victory. 

Dave    

Back Soon

Just a short note from Marquette, Michigan.  We are just finishing an unexpected week away.  My wife's Mom died this week so we were in North Bay, Ontario.  I hope to post again in the next couple days.  

Dave