Daylight arrives late in Sweden this time of year. Having started work in the dark last Thursday it felt good to see the sun glinting through the clouds a little later in the morning and highlighting a nearby church. The man I was working with proudly told me that the church was the tallest building in Jönköping. Sadly, that is all that the church has become for him, as it has for many other Swedes, most of whom have no concept of what the church should be or could be. Put simply, the church has no relevance to them or any place in their lives. But it looks good from the outside, and it is the tallest building in town.
The church I attend in Hereford is not the tallest building in town. There are other churches that are taller. Even Hereford Cathedral is not as tall as some of the other churches. But what relevance does my church, Hereford Cathedral, or any of the other churches in the city have to the daily lives of the citizens of the city? Several churches do stuff, run programmes, even have events in the middle of High Town. We do our best to connect with the community around us, but in all of our doing has any degree of relevance been achieved?
If the church has become nothing more than the tallest building in town, or that place where the homeless gather outside, or the joint where the music is louder than a nightclub, or whatever other description a church might acquire, then the message is that we are getting something badly wrong. The way I understand it, the church was never intended to be bricks and mortar. So why is the church taking shelter in buildings? Then there is the question of church growth. If the church was growing then wouldn’t the building be too small? If the building is too big then the church has a problem. Could the problem be that the church, i.e. the one made of people, is not growing because the people do not recognise the need for individual spiritual growth to continue ad infinitum? And if the people are not growing, then how is the church supposed to grow? Through programmes?
Julie (aka Cookie) said:
a most astute observation David—and one that confronts as well as confounds us and begs for our prayerful attention!!!
David said:
I was really challenged by the fact that the church was nothing more than the tallest building in town to this man Julie. I am still pondering!
Julie (aka Cookie) said:
I know I don’t need to tell you of all people, our resident gypsy, that the secularization of Europe is so deep and far reaching–particularly in the Scandinavian countries—that “the church” is seen as something archaic and historic, relegated to “grandmothers”—relevant, not so much. It makes me so terribly sad—
I know when I travel, I always visit a church, not so much a service but simply to sit, pray and rest in God’s grace, and I often, albeit sadly, marvel at the beauty found particularly in the ancient church(s) which are now merely there as examples of once fine craftsmanship and historical relevance, or as the tallest building in town—Europe needs a spiritual reawakening!!!!
David said:
Back in the 70s I wandered into Turku Cathedral in Finland. I picked up a leaflet (I will see if I can find it and scan it and email it to you) which made showed that the lights haven’t yet gone out in that part of the world, but you are right Julie – Europe desperately needs a spiritual awakening.
Julie (aka Cookie) said:
and I should have added so does the United States!!!!!!
nataliescarberry said:
Ya know, we changed churches in the last year and the one we attend now garners new members faster than any other church I’ve ever attended. And I often wonder what the reason for that is. If I ever figure it out I’ll let you know. Hugs, N ❤
David said:
What drew you there Natalie?
nataliescarberry said:
After my reply last night, I started thinking about what it was that attracted us to this particular church. And it really is very obvious. First Baptist Church Dallas is a very large church in the downtown area of Dallas which is a 50 minute drive from our house. But the dynamic pastor sticks to the truths in the Bible, the music both in the traditional and contempary services is exceptional and engaging, and there are welcoming, helpful people positioned all around the very large campus. 🙂
PS. How does everybody get it to snow on their blog?
David said:
The snow arrives every 1 December Natalie. I don’t think it can be turned off. It must be something to do with the theme.
Fifty minutes is quite a drive. Our journey is 20-25 minutes depending on time of day and traffic. We are without a senior pastor at the moment, which does seem to affect attendance. Having said that, I think that having a variety of speakers over the last few months has worked well.
The welcome is so important. Our welcome team do an excellent job, but our church is not so big – it can seat about 350 people, so the team are stationed in the front lobby. We try to remind everyone that they should consider themselves part of the welcome team in terms of getting alongside other people, especially new people and visitors.
nataliescarberry said:
Well darn, I guess it won’t snow on mine then. The welcome is very important as well as the smiles and warmth you feel from all the people you encounter. It is too a long drive, but when you find a church that is this extraordinary it makes it worth the time it takes to get there. And trust me, I have tried many a church in my time and it was a church half a century ago that drove me completely away from the church and my faith journey for a long time. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ and it behooves everyone who goes to church to behave like we’re all family. I know people who are atheists because of bad experiences with dysfunctional church families and the hypocrisy that sometimes exists within a church’s walls. Christ’s arms are open wide and He welcomes all to His table, and we who follow Him must do the same. Hugs, N ❤