It struck me this morning, about doctrine...or tradition...
Is the current order to our institutional services a matter of traditions of men, or is it based upon some doctrine I can't find anywhere in scripture? I suspect the former, given how Protestantism remains mostly unaware as to just how Roman catholic it really is in form and practice.
What I'm getting at is the order of events. Most have the following main items in the order stated, with all others of no real consequence to this discussion:
I've wondered about that ever since back when I was in the pulpit, be it ever so short-lived...until they found another to hire in permanently. I can't say how many times I've asked others in our church a couple days later what the preaching was about, and the usual response being them looking down at the floor, shuffling their feet some, and finally saying, "I don't remember." That appears to be more common than what most folks are willing to admit.
Is it because of the fear that, given that fewer people are willing to get up early enough on Sunday mornings to attend Sunday school, that the "less important" feature therefore remains in that time slot to ensure more people are present for the lime light performances and the passing of the offering plates? Is the oratory, collection for membership dues, the rock band or choir performance, et al, that much more important than the need for getting people in smaller, collective groups into the word of God for study and watered down discipleship, which commands better attention than sermons interspersed with snoring?
What about the "praise and worship" feature, with so many thinking that they can turn on, like a light switch, a worship scenario in their personal, inner lives, that is acceptable before the Father?
I'm intentionally spicing this up with wording and phraseology intended to illicit some deeper thought from more than just your intellect, but also your emotions, because we're all affected by our emotions...sometimes to a greater degree than we realize or are willing to admit.
What are your thoughts? I realize that many, if not most, think the "main service" is the one feature that should be in the latter time slot because of its perceived importance, but why is that?
Is there fear that attendance would remain lower because of the earlier time slot? Has it ever been tried before to your knowledge? Is not the collective study of God's word as important as the "main service?" Is one any more important than the other? Is discipleship more or less important? Is there a difference in importance? If not, then why are the features never flipped around from one organization to the other? There has to be something to it, or is it strictly just the religion of tradition?
Lots of questions, I know, but food for thought, nonetheless.
MM
Is the current order to our institutional services a matter of traditions of men, or is it based upon some doctrine I can't find anywhere in scripture? I suspect the former, given how Protestantism remains mostly unaware as to just how Roman catholic it really is in form and practice.
What I'm getting at is the order of events. Most have the following main items in the order stated, with all others of no real consequence to this discussion:
- Sunday school classes for study of doctrinal teaching and a watered down form of discipleship.
- Sermons as the key feature for the gathering
I've wondered about that ever since back when I was in the pulpit, be it ever so short-lived...until they found another to hire in permanently. I can't say how many times I've asked others in our church a couple days later what the preaching was about, and the usual response being them looking down at the floor, shuffling their feet some, and finally saying, "I don't remember." That appears to be more common than what most folks are willing to admit.
Is it because of the fear that, given that fewer people are willing to get up early enough on Sunday mornings to attend Sunday school, that the "less important" feature therefore remains in that time slot to ensure more people are present for the lime light performances and the passing of the offering plates? Is the oratory, collection for membership dues, the rock band or choir performance, et al, that much more important than the need for getting people in smaller, collective groups into the word of God for study and watered down discipleship, which commands better attention than sermons interspersed with snoring?
What about the "praise and worship" feature, with so many thinking that they can turn on, like a light switch, a worship scenario in their personal, inner lives, that is acceptable before the Father?
I'm intentionally spicing this up with wording and phraseology intended to illicit some deeper thought from more than just your intellect, but also your emotions, because we're all affected by our emotions...sometimes to a greater degree than we realize or are willing to admit.
What are your thoughts? I realize that many, if not most, think the "main service" is the one feature that should be in the latter time slot because of its perceived importance, but why is that?
Is there fear that attendance would remain lower because of the earlier time slot? Has it ever been tried before to your knowledge? Is not the collective study of God's word as important as the "main service?" Is one any more important than the other? Is discipleship more or less important? Is there a difference in importance? If not, then why are the features never flipped around from one organization to the other? There has to be something to it, or is it strictly just the religion of tradition?
Lots of questions, I know, but food for thought, nonetheless.
MM