Why We Need Church
Posted on June 13th, 2006 by catalyst into the Uncategorized categoryI received the following email last night from my 21 year old brother Joel, entitled Why We Need Church. I'm not exactly sure what he's trying to say, other than perhaps that church can serve a useful purpose. I don't really know. Anyway, I'm pretty sure he'd been drinking when he sent the email.
I'm not posting it because he says anything particularly interesting or relevant, but because if I don't post it, he'll complain that JP and I think we're better than everyone else. So here it is:
Yes it seems that church is irrelavant at times, so why do we need church? I'll tell you why. We as people are lazy and if we didnt have a place to meet, greet, and repeat, eventually Christianty and God would be forgotten.
Of course, if a church set up a time to provide food to the homeless you might go, but that's only if the Real World is a rerun. However, imagine having to open up your own soup kitchen and keep it running. You would also have to get on the phone and arrange for a couple hundred people to show up to a soup kitchen or anywhere. Its just not going to happen.
The point is people need leadership and organization and thats what the church provides. I mean we get it our whole lives from our parents, teachers, bosses. (JP gets it from his wife).
Granted church gets redundant or boring at times. I myself can't do anything for more than five minutes without taking a break. Hell, I've taken two beer breaks and a Cheeto time-out just to write this crap.
Also dont tell me church is too self-absorbed. Most people are into themselves. Thats all church wants is to be apprciated for giving lazy assholes like ourselves a place to go, so we dont have to setup something up ourselves.
So thanks church. Thanks for being there. That way when I get drunk Saturday night I can make myself feel better Sunday morning and I dont have to do a damn thing.
Just so you know, Joel is another product of home-schooling and Temple Christian High School. Well done, people, well done. You are known by your fruit.
RSS feed for posts
June 13th, 2006 at 6:04 am
Joel should lay off the Cheetos.
What if our culture did the same for marriage relationships that it has for relationship with the Father? Specifically, if we built a building across town, appointed an overseer, created a set of beliefs (rules) for membership, and then told all the wives that they can ONLY relate to their husband in the confines of that building and under the leadership of the overseer of wives and the organization of marital services? Oh, and we charged the wife a 10% cover charge for admission to the building?
NOTE: That would have been a good deal where my 1st wife is concerned
And Joel - Cheetos are great - I just hate that yellow fuzz on my fingers after eating ‘em.
June 13th, 2006 at 9:21 am
Maybe more men would go to church if they served Cheetos and beer.
June 13th, 2006 at 12:55 pm
I don’t know about everyone else, but after reading that I’m pretty sure you guys are at least better than Joel.
June 13th, 2006 at 1:41 pm
fruit?
FRUITS!
And do all the sibling names start with a “J”?
June 13th, 2006 at 1:47 pm
Joel does bring up a couple interesting points concerning leadership and coordination of resources. (Cheetos and beer withstanding)
If not the church, then who?
Just asking…
June 13th, 2006 at 2:41 pm
J, J, J, J, A, J, R
5 of 7
June 13th, 2006 at 4:12 pm
Maybe not fruits, but definitely fruitful!!
June 15th, 2006 at 7:09 pm
“Church” is all about community and mission under the lordship of Christ. It doesn’t matter what you call it - in fact, maybe we shouldn’t call it church. The Quakers may be on to something - they simply call themselves “Friends.”
One of my favorite authors is Brian McLaren. I found a recent essay helpful - if you’re interested. You can find it at: http://www.brianmclaren.net/archives/2006/06/emergent_reactions_spring_2006_374.html
June 15th, 2006 at 7:24 pm
From Larry’s friend’s article:
June 15th, 2006 at 7:52 pm
If we were able to talk to our parents/guardians/mentors/teachers on a realistic/open-minded format we wouldn’t need church.
Taboos create church. tattoos (that evil son of yours, margie)
Secrecy creates church. work (i lied about my companies taxes but i cant get caught and I don’t want the guilt)
Communion creates church. friends (i just want to feel like I belong to something)
just off the cuff but it’s my take fellas/feelers
June 16th, 2006 at 2:41 am
I am not there for an ordinate/subordinate relationship. I am there for the purpose of bringing my hands to the work and to love the people who are there. I really don’t go any more to get. Although ask my wife and she will tell you I rant like a maniac afterward if I don’t. so, I guess I really do.
Church, to a large extent, is about expectations. If you come expecting to get, most times you will be disappointed. If you come to give, and you are not able, you will be disappointed. But, when both of those kick in, the experience can allow you to touch the heart of God.
June 16th, 2006 at 10:11 am
heart of god huh…
you doin’ heroin Arcane Warrior?
June 16th, 2006 at 12:47 pm
I do my best every day not to.
June 16th, 2006 at 4:36 pm
Joel stick to funny.
June 19th, 2006 at 12:50 pm
try this tune with your next fix ya all.
this is my church
http://www.911truthla.org/audio/binladen_djgreenlantern.mp3
June 19th, 2006 at 12:59 pm
Pretty foul, but love the back beat, “Bush knocked down the towers.” People really believe this?
Sorry to steal your joy pdxrn.
I’ll try to contain myself.