Comments on: ★ Are You Plugged-In?

By: Josh

Josh — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 22:29:38 +0000

The problem is that in most congregations you attend in America…the most social person can put forth much effort for nothing. Most churches are cliquish and have no desire to welcome others. They want to act as a country club where the same old people can come and socialize while some guy gets up and talks for an hour and another guy gets up and sings irrelevant songs. That is a problem. And if churches are to truly be the “community” they want to be then they should put forth at least 99% of the effort of bringing people into that community.

By: Todd

Todd — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 16:52:54 +0000

josh, i think what he is doing here is trying to say it goes both ways and, more importantly, set proper expectations. the fact is, a community (church or not) needs to work very, very hard to extend a welcome hand to new people in the community. there is no question there. also it would be hard to argue that we have this all figured out. I don’t think i have ever met a congregation that does this well even 50% of the time (especailly with people who don’t fit in the majority profile of the group).

but, the point i think that is very worthwhile is this one “the basic underlying assumption we try to animate at Jacob’s Well is that real relationships and connection take time and significant investment.”

yes, people need to be welcomed quickly and openly and lovingly with little strings attached. but, this doesn’t just happen. it takes time and effort both ways. as a new person to a community (even if its a group of guys playing pick-up-basketball) I need to put some effort forth and realize that relationships will deepen with time.

By: Josh

Josh — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 09:03:53 +0000

Dude…this author is representative of the problem with the American church. “We shouldn’t have to go to people. They should have to come to us.” Americans are becoming more and more turned off to church and why is that? Because they have to jump through all of the hoops to be part of the community. What if the church jumped through hoops to include and integrate others into the community?

By: Justin

Justin — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:19:50 +0000

Todd,
Thanks so much for these thoughts, and for pointing us to Keel’s book. At our church we are trying to redesign what formal membership looks like, and this was helpful along those lines. I just forwarded your post to my co-pastors.
Oh, and Mel says hi!

By: Tom

Tom — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 16:30:14 +0000

Todd, it could be a language thing too. Maybe we need to abandon the word “programs” and replace it with the word “structures.” When we use the word programs, especially in an ecclesiastical setting, it almost always implies longevity. Rare is the church who subscribes to the notion that when the horse is dead it’s time to dismount. On the other hand, structures, at least in my opinion, imply support, something created in service to something greater: namely, mission or, better yet, people.

By: Todd

Todd — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:28:09 +0000

‘mas, yeah i think expectations is a big thing for those who were part of this small group. if they expect to fit right back in easily, they will be gravely disappointed. if they understand that what they had doesn’t happen overnight, they will probably be more inclined to stick it out and do the hard work of community.

By: 'Mas

'Mas — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:03:14 +0000

Makes sense to me. At our previous church, I led a home Bible study group that took about 2 years to gel and then lasted for several before life changes disintegrated it. The members are looking to re-connect after a year because it left a major hole. This is not something can be done quick.

As far as programs are concerned, I think the terminology is part of the problem. I didn’t “plug-in” to a church until I got involved with one or more ministries. Being in service side by side with other believers goes a lot farther to forging solid connections than several programs can – and definitely more than just attending on Sunday can.

That’s my 2 cents :^{>