Thursday, August 30, 2012
Maybe the Mormons Are On To Something
MMI:
Pastors, I think, have the same problem. They don't want the congregation to get too mature or else they won't get to be so much "in charge" anymore.
I have said many time that one of the problems in traditional evangelical churches is that it looks like you reach a point in you Christian walk where your only option is to "go pro." That means, in part, we need to help people understand that serving sandwiches at Subway matters. But more, we need to learn to honor them in the church.
The Mormon, whatever problems they may have - have got this one right. No professional clergy. That, I believe, is one of the reasons their people are so committed to the church. Maturity in that faith is recognized and rewarded.
It is amazing what people can do when they work together. Despite not having a pastor for three years, the congregation of First Baptist Church in Spearfish Pass in South Dakota has managed to grow and they are now getting ready to celebrate the Church’s 60th anniversary.One of the many reasons there are so many twentysomethings still in the nest is because parents forget that their job is to make adults - not "parent kids."
When the last pastor left there were only four members in the congregation. In the last three years it has grown to 40 parishioners. One member has described the Church as being “blessed.”
Pastors, I think, have the same problem. They don't want the congregation to get too mature or else they won't get to be so much "in charge" anymore.
I have said many time that one of the problems in traditional evangelical churches is that it looks like you reach a point in you Christian walk where your only option is to "go pro." That means, in part, we need to help people understand that serving sandwiches at Subway matters. But more, we need to learn to honor them in the church.
The Mormon, whatever problems they may have - have got this one right. No professional clergy. That, I believe, is one of the reasons their people are so committed to the church. Maturity in that faith is recognized and rewarded.
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