As you can see by today's title you may not want to read today's and tomorrow's blog if you are easily offended. I am sure when I ask questions like these or blog what even I consider negative stuff, I should probably stop and think for a month or two. However if you know me well enough my attention span is short, and I would forget by the time ....now what was I saying????
Every time I ask a question, I get another question. I have to come to understand I will never get all the answers to my questions here on earth, but I will always come up with more questions.
Today's question....Why is it we have so much Christian literature? Do we really need it all? Are there not enough teachings in the Bible to tell us how to live? Is it not the be all and end all for self help books? Why do we need so much more literature on something the Bible already answers? My guess, is we read these books because we identify more with the author and what they are going through, and we can say yeah, that is what I am going through? Maybe the Bible is old and outdated (note sarcasm) or maybe it is because these books are written now, not 2000 years ago??? hmmm Maybe??? hmmm Maybe these books deal with issues of "The mask".... some do...are they helpful??? I don't know, I don't want to go into some store and look let alone ask for a book that deal with .......(fill in the mask) ;)
We never really get the answers we want, but just knowing that someone else is going through what I am going through is helpful. Why do we not take our "problems" straight to God, rather than someone else? Do we want to wallow in our self pity (sometimes), never getting the answer that probably only God has for us? To conclude briefly here, I do not want to condemn all these books, some of which can be quite useful, (hey if it helps and scripture backs it up, then more power to us), but don't use it as the Gospel to give you the answers to everyday life. To be continued tomorrow because I still have a question that relates to what I said today.
Was I sarcastic today, hmmmm maybe! hmmmmm Maybe not!!! ;)
8 comments:
It is really too bad - people would rather read the books than "The Book". I wonder if it's because if you buy a book you don't have to go searching through "The Book". We don't seem to have a lot of time to read "The Book" so we replace it with a book were everything on the topic we want is right there so we don't have to go searching! Other books can be really good if they point back to "The Book".
On a slightly different topic B and I were pondering this question as we were driving home from Minot: Why do all these newer translations/paraphrases of the Bible have copyrights?
Just a thought?
A2
p.s. the church building being rented out - i agree and disagree! if we are trying to reach others that's great, if we are trying to supplement our income - no way. i strongly believe the church should be supported by it's own. maybe we don't reach a lot - but is it worth it if one person is reached? i tend to think, yes, i think. if you are confused don't worry - i think my brains still in holiday mode.
my understanding is, as little as it is about this kind of thing, it is only what i have been told, is that a church cannot rent it's building out to make money, that is not the business the church is in. so then if a church does rent the building out it has to be for other reasons. but i could be wrong....
Not sure about the copyright thing. I will check it out and get back to you if I find an answer :)
As for renting out to reach others, I am not sure I see the rationale completely because when I see the dance group renting it out, they are using it like any other building. Then again maybe some people are attracted to the church building itself that brings them in, or on a more serious note...maybe one person will read some of the literature lying around, and who knows ???
I know they are not allowed to rent for the purpose of making money, but I think there needs to be a rethinking of facility renting policy. Why do we rent? What is our mission statement...does it relate to that?
Hey Mike,
Just checking up on your blog....
It's cooler in the office and that's where the computer is so I'm glad I took the time. I need to make a couple of comments in relation to the last two or three comments posted here...
Correct -- the church is not supposed to be renting the facility to make money. The church's "business" is people which I'll move on to in my next point. Basically cost recovery only -- which you and I have talked about in our own situation. Obviously there are fine lines to that -- and many times I think we're giving the place away but that's another story.
As far as the statement relating to rationale -- I have sat through various board meetings and heard the rationale and reasoning behind renting the facility out to people outside of the church as well as reaons for not renting it. This is not something that is taken lightly as far as I'm concerned. I would hope that most churches think about the process and have a mission statement and a purpose and a vision -- that's reaching people for Christ and that's bascially what our particular situation does -- the question is asked -- is there a way to connect with them -- what can we do etc. The bottom line is in a lot of cases there are people coming through the doors that have no attachment or connection to any church -- if one person walks through those doors -- like families with the dance group and they see something that interests them and they start coming to church -- is that bad. Before you poo poo it -- yes there have been families that checked us out and one family in fact has continued coming with children in Club DJ and kids choir.... was that bad -- no it served it's purpose -- the family was impacted in some way.
I spent a number of weeks there serving coffee to parents waiting for their children. They knew who I was etc. Will they come back -- who knows -- hopefully -- but hospitality was shown to them -- and for some people who aren't on any sort of journey to Christ that will speak volumes. You might not agree but we're allowed to disagree, right?
And finally, if we do not rent the church to other people -- then we are not allowed to rent to people who support the church financially either. It might suck but that is a rule that we as a registered charity must follow so it's all or nothing..... Yah there are churches out there who don't follow the rules or bend the rules -- I don't agree with that either.... Are there ways for us to protect ourselves? Yah and I've got a couple of lawyers looking at it to make sure we're not putting ourselves into jeopardy.
So there.... I've said my piece in relation to the particular situation you and I are involved in. I'm not sure if you are talking about one or just churches in general but the reference to the groups indicated to me otherwise. Oh one last thing -- someone very wise said to me once when I myself questioned a particular situation of renting the facility -- people coming in from outside have more to fear than we have to fear about those coming in..... Interesting thoughts...
Another time,
SN
Good comments, SN... I appreciate them all.
As I said in earlier comments there may be those people who walk in and look at literature and it may make a difference for them, may not also. The point I was trying to make is that churches spend/waste a lot of money building these massive churches for what? If you build it they will come? Prestige?
Acts 17:24 says "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands."
I think the point that we - the church are missing is - we are looking for new ways to evangelize people and tell them about God, as long as we can stay as comfortable as possible in our faith. Hope that maybe they read a booklet so that I don't have to say anything. Most of us are scared spitless to share our faith, for fear of rejection, fear of losing that friendship that just started, and numerous other reasons (I know I fit right in here). My biggest fear is getting to heaven, well at least to the pearly gates, and looking over and seeing all those people (on the "other" side) whom I had contact with in my "Christian" life and didn't tell them, and knowing they are possibly where they are because I didn't share the faith. And then as I stand there I hope God does not ask why He should let me into heaven. Cause sure as you know what, I will have no answer. Did I make a committment? Yes. Did I do what he commands all of us to do (Mt.28)? Certainly not yet. More questions to ponder. If I can't/don't answer this one or answer the call of Mt. 28...how the hell can I live in heaven after "sending" people to hell by not telling them????????
hi mike,
the thoughts on todays posting and comments i see through a different lens. i will share my perspective with you but you can take it or leave it. it is simply my perspective.
I am currently reading through the classics and I am amazed at the depth and longevity of these ancient writers. I celebrate the creative gift God has given them and am thankful for the insight of these brilliant minds. i don't read them because i think the Bible is not enough. rather i read them to connect with other christ followers and to glean wisdom from their journey. to me, that is the purpose of spiritual literature.
in regards to judging the size of church buildings , i think we have to be guarded against making assumptions. I believe that just as God calls different people to differnt tasks i believe he calls different congregations to a variety of callings. As a member of a 'big' church i embrace the call that God has given us and am totally excited to watch it unfold. big or small? both are okay as long as those in leadership are doing what they are supposed to.
to comment on your comment :) about the church trying to 'evangalize others' while remaining completely comfortable, i think you use a broad generalization. Certainly there is that segment of the christian population but there are definately those who attempt to address the discontinuous change of our culture and that is anything but comfortable. and finally, perhaps i do not fit the norm, but i think that letting people know about Jesus is the most thrilling thing this life offers. it is an amazingly wonderful experience to witness the epiphany of someone realizing for the first time that the creator of heaven and earth loves them outrageously. this kind of thrill does not scare me spitless. just the opposite in fact...so as you can see we do have different perspectives on almost all of todays issues ...and that is okay. that is the beauty of diversity.
deb
Thanks Deb. Food for thought. I appreciate our diversity too. If we were all always thinking the same way, change would never occur, and change can be good.
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