I came across an article recently by Mark Galli in Christianity Today with the above title. Apparently a survey was done in the USA in trying to determine where the churches rank in comparison with other 'around town' avenues. Restaurants, bars and pubs were rated as the best places to meet people beating churches. But not by too much: 18% vs 16%. Why do people go to church? Is it because it is a friendly place or just out of religious obligation?
Think: Why do you go (or not go) to church? If you want a fun and friendly place, would the church be the first place on your mind? People go to bars and pubs for care-free and casual conversations. Should churches (or our church) then be as friendly as a bar? Let me know what you think.
Ps. Ben
I think Church is more like a more religious place, its like a concept being mended to our minds that we are not to be care-free in Church because its sacred..while for restaurants and cafe is like more relaxing in a way so ppl would prefer going there to socialise..
ReplyDeleteI personally think that Church should not just be a place of worship but also fellowship but not as friendly as bar as in we let things go too easy coz we still have to have some respect for the church, but i think Church is a means where we can encourage one another in life..
Church is a place I can truely "socialize" without wearing any mask to cover my inner feeling as we knew each other so closely within bro/sis, especially He is present and sharing with us every moment.
ReplyDeleteWell... church should be a place for people to worship God and fellowship but not to the extended that people might take advantage of.
ReplyDeleteThe statement 'a church as friendly as a bar' is definitely out of my dictionary.
When we come to church we want more than friendly service! We do not want people putting on a mask with a smile. What is even more important is that we want to be taken seriously. Is that how you want to be treated? Let me know some of your expectations!
ReplyDeleteBesides worship God, i personally expecting other things in the church, eg. serving,sharing, caring,learning ...& etc but sometimes I feel upset b'cos my expectation is not met....?!
ReplyDeleteNTL,lets put God as priority and things will be fine.