What do you think of when you think of the American Church? American culture? American values?
This is what I think:
- rich.
- well-fed.
- well stocked.
- well built.
What if we lived not to tuck it away, but to give it away?
I’m just sayin’
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Mandy writes music. Mandy leads worship. Mandy loves Drew.
It’d work. Lots would be helped.
LOTS.
As a whole I think of diversity and potential filtered through a value system driven by pubescent, omniscient invincibility.
A pastor from the States once said we need a vision to live and a vision to give.
@ng: I just woke up, so I have NO idea what you said…. ??? I’ll come back and read it in a few minutes. no, days… NO – hours
Cindy: LOTS. see? i know.
it’s plastic–and while plastic has a couple good characteristics on the outside (e.g. it’s recyclable–the majority of the time–well we just don’t recycle)–in other words…it sounds nice, but like anything else without hands and feet to put the heart in motion, it’s just words on a page to make us feel justified. or thats what i think anyway
you are so right! I just woke up too and Angie went way over my head. I think she was saying something deeper than my mind can go right now.
Tara: Hey girl!!! I don’t wanna miss your point, but I think I might be. What’s plastic? The church? My words? Money? The Bible?
omg… I agree with your description, Mandy! I am there lately! So much convicted about buying into the “American Dream”. Even though, we have not completely, there are still places in our life, where Jon and I have def bought in!!
I love the American church, because Jesus does! Even with it’s flaws, it’s still a part of the Body! We definitely have grown complacent over the last 50 years.
Oh that the church would arise
Oh that we would see with Jesus’ Eyes
We could show the world Heaven
Show what it means to be His
To be formed in His Likeness
Show them they have a purpose
(from Israel Houghton’s “Say So”)
H: I admire the choices you and Jon have made. Did you know that y’all have inspired the Thompsons?? you have….
Russ: Thank you for the reminder that Jesus loves her too. I am so careful to avoid criticizing others/churches/christians/etc on this blog… I came mighty close this time. I know you probably didn’t mean it, but you brought me right back to that conviction. Thank you man. Thank you.
I think of things like While the world burned…
In the year 3035
bloggin’ here with brother Clive
’bout that second Rome today
called themselves the US of A
living like… well like its all about US
with laws and fences protecting their lusts
throwing all that food away
watching Africa decay
Marie would say, “Let them eat cake.”
White man walkin’; Christ forsake.
Nero fiddled in the land of the brave
“Do you suppose,” I blog, “any were saved?”
and I think of “the rich young american”
and I pray for an awakening in our american church.
We must remember that these places are our mission fields. Just like Alece and Kristi in South Africa or @ngie in Bolivia, we Need to keep pushing past the
rich.
well-fed.
well stocked.
well built…… and find the depths of THEIR hearts that might may be depleted or even be lost, and give them compassion, apathy, and even a chance to come out behind their own walls that they built
then……….
TOGETHER… WE Can change the world one neighborhood, city, suburb, or county at a time.
I think it depends on where you live in the US. I think it depends on where you live in your own city. Where I live there are churches that are closing due to financial burden while others are conducting million dollar capital campaigns.
I have seen small churches barely getting by, but reaching out further than other churches that appear to “have it all.” I have seen the flip side as well, where mega churches are reaching out in multiple layers, while small churches feel lost and confused.
What do I see?
HOPE
Excess
LOVE
Money
OPPORTUNITY
Challenges
JESUS
Oh yes. Americans are the wealthiest people on the planet … but they (by and large) know absolutely nothing about money. I’m in that category. But I think I’ve identified it. That’s the first step, right?
I think this is it, exactly!
Francis Chan hits on this point sometimes; not to make us feel bad about having “stuff,” but to give us perspective. One of his statements is that we have so much “stuff” that we don’t feel like we really NEED to rely on God. I mean, do we need to depend on Him for everything?
And in a small group discussion I’ve taken it further, just to push boundaries, and I’ve gotten some negative responses (understandably so). Like health insurance, for one example… If we as the community of believers really had one another’s back, so to speak, would we be scared when insurance didn’t cover everything in a hospital stay? What if the community of believers chipped in to cover expenses the family can’t afford? Would we wind up needing less insurance? Maybe, maybe not, but the concept starts me thinking in some ways that are different from the way I used to think.
I’ve seen this done numerous times at my own church fellowship (and I’ve certainly seen it elsewhere), not so much that it builds dependency, but enough for people to look at it and say, “Wow!” at the love of Christ shown through His followers.
we have sissy hands – no callouses, no dirt…we’re way too well manicured.
“What do you think of when you think of the American Church? American culture? American values?”
Generalizing of course:
1) American Church – It has been over 40 years since I was a member of a church, so the following are only my perceptions.
A focus on family, community and volunteering. The few church services I have attended seem to be more joyful(?), less solemn. More of an attempt to engage the congregation rather than simply lecture to them. Less “fire and brimstone”.
Perhaps the least optimistic segment of the population. A trend towards operating more like a business, aggressive advertising campaigns to sell their church and gain converts. Becoming more active in the political process to try and ensure that laws reflect the values and beliefs of the church.
2) American Culture – Fast paced. If you have it flaunt it. Glitz and glamor. A culture driven by business and technology. Up until the latest economic crisis, I think Americans are/were the most optimistic culture in the world.
3) American values – We will be rewarded if we work hard enough. Believing anything is possible. The belief then American is the greatest country that ever existed and the rest of the world needs to be like us.
amercian church? for the most part…secluded and isolated. there are some making huge waves in the community – but i see so many as clicks and for self. am i being cynical?
American culture? diverse and beautiful.
American values? equally diverse and questionable.
dang. i AM cynical this morning!!!
“What do you think of when you think of the American Church?”
I think it is as diverse as it is lost and divided. I, too, have tried to be very careful of my criticisms of the church in America, though I know I have certainly not always done that. In point of face, I get it wrong more than I get it right. It’s frustrating. Sometimes, I have compassion for the lost sheep I see and other times I want to shake them silly to wake them up.
“American culture?”
Well…I like blues. And soul sweet soul. Dippy eggs, too. Baseball is a must. And chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. And dogs. Love my dogs. And I think the word “poop” is just a funny word…
But I hate that 80% of commercial advertisements on television are for perscription drugs. I can’t imagine what someone from another country would think if he, or she, saw an hour of prime-time television. “Geez! How can you Americans be so rich and so sick all at the same time!” And the answer is, we’re not. Drug companies are just trying to tell us we are.
American values?
When I see this phrase, I think of politics. And when I think of politics, I think of how the church is doing so very many things wrong…
…but that’s a post for another time.
I’ve wondered the same thing…
when i taught school, it was in a very affluent school district. the teachers had it good. the kids had everything they ever wanted – ski trips in january, bahamas for spring break.
but they were missing the kind of “need” that other, normal kids have.
another teacher described them to me as experiencing the POVERTY OF THE WEALTHY. Poverty referring to poverty of the soul, as if the wealth sucked it out of them.
i always think of this term when i see rich kids, or sometimes when i see my own never having to need or really want anything. we are blessed, but perhaps at the expense of our souls.
What do you think of when you think of the American Church?
I think America’s churches have the least idea who God really is, because as a country we have learned to place Him in a box, that HE does not fit in!
American culture?
Overdone, its like a fad that has become tireless in paying attention to, everyone just seems to want to live in their PJs instead of going out and making a difference! No one really knows who they are, and they tend to live through others, instead of facing themselves!
American values?
Crushed, and unrealistic anymore.
I don’t mean to be so negative, but its how I feel.
American values?
Consume, consume, consume…all-consuming materialism.
How can we fill our emptiness? We are greedy and we lack love.
Not to be pessimistic…but that’s what comes to mind.
M- you encouraged me with your reply. Love you!
Gosh, get a sprained neck, out for a day or two and look what you miss! Whew!
Well, based on what I’m reading I will probably get pelted and not be welcome here…but hey I honestly fear to do otherwise.
Please take the following with all the love I write it with…the following is not criticism, I just feel the need to share some light.
Your assessments for most churches unfortunately may be dead on. But I would be remiss if I didn’t shine a light into this dark abyss you all may believe is the future of the American church.
The Church – an Acts 1:8 Church – is not dead
I am most blessed to be a part of a Mega Church…yeah I said mega Church, that is ‘do’ing the most upside down outta the box kind of things you might imagine.
We have a Pastor who leads by example, having given away almost all that he earned in salary last year. He never asks more of us than he and his family are willing to do. I love that!
His theme song “Give it Away” and do we ever!
This October we, our church will spend 3 days ‘do’ing everything from replacing collapsed floors, giving free dental and medical care, repairing and refinishing cars, we’ve adopted various mobile home parks, retirement communities, all the schools within the county, hair cuts, taking care of children while providing elegant dinner out for the impoverished…and actual list is way too long for this, but you can view SOME of the projectshere.
Above and beyond this, our church body has been spending the last few weeks in class to be certified as Foster parents, as there are some 325 children in our county with only 70 homes to take them in, our body is working to create new homes as well as support for the existing parents. In depth details of what we are ‘do’ing can be found here.
In addition…yes there’s more. We have what extensive ministries the likes of which I have never seen in another fellowship for fallen humanity in and out of the church. There is
Hope Questan incredible residential recovery program for all manner of brokenness, there is City of Refuge for those ministers, missionaries and their families, check it out for specifics.
Like anything, it’s so much easier to see what is wrong than standing up and tryin to ‘do’ the good thing, the right thing…the thing Jesus would have done.
Everyone in our congregation is relentlessly challenged to be more, ‘do’ more, get out there and live what we believe. Our mission fields include the world at large as well as each of our neighborhoods. Even in the economy, we continue to break records with our giving.
Lastly, our Pastor was just voted President of our denomination. He had passed on this position for several years as he did not sense God leading him there and felt he should continue work with his home church.
The idea of him leading our large denomination in the ways and with the love of heart he has lead us is exciting, we can only pray the old guard does not resist the kind of changes we anticipate.
Does this mean that everyone is our gigantic congregation is ‘do’ing something…of course not…no perfection here, but walk into that building – and God – He is everywhere!
You see Mandy; this is big part of my utter delight in finding you and yours out here and so up to your eyeballs ‘do’ in the same.
Our God is Awesome and using all kinds to ‘do’ amazing things!
i can’t focus on anything right now except the fact that i have NO idea what @ngie’s comment means.
I know I am about 14 or 15 days late coming to this party, but Mandy I thought I would say something here.
Your DOing posts and project have inspired and empowered, put a human face on a faceless faith, and it pressed us to be more than conformed, but be transformed.
The church – Mandy, in my mind is not the buildings, the broad lush lawns they boast, the window dressings that adorn their walls and the host of activities, words and titles that we have given them. The church is the people.
I am blessed to be a part of a large urban church – a Mega Church preparing to grow bigger – not because numbers are important, but because the numbers are happening whether we seek them out or not.
I serve in a church where the Senior Pastor desires to see every member 1. Saved, 2. Discipled, 3. Delivered, 4. Healed, 5. Equipped and THEN released for service. They seriously will not place you in a position or area of ministry in the church that they do not think you are called to – yet, they will work very hard to find a place of ministry that lines up with the calling God has given you. I was paired with a ministry coach who prayed with me, reviewed my gifts and talents, the visions that God has given me and the ministry I have participated in prior to coming to their church — And, she made intercession for me both with God and the church and we moved forward.
Two years ago I was at a small rural church who invited you to join in ministry by volunteering to fill a need. They did not ask if you were called to that ministry – they said, “If you are willing… we’ll use you.” I did so. I went forward – I was a youth worker, a women’s minsitry leader, the cheif floral designer and often event planner for much of the coordinated multi-ministry efforts… I cooked, I cleaned, I showed up at every event and prayed at every occasion – often several days a week in the prayer room at church. I worked and worked and worked… never certain that God called me to any of it. By the time we left, I had not observed a Sabbath rest in five years, I was feeling defeated and overwhelmed and not sure I wanted to volunteer to serve in anything in our new assignment. I felt used, abused and under-appreciated. I also felt deceived to a great extent. Hearing them sing my praises as being in the “center of God’s will” and leading the best women’s ministry the church had ever seen only to be ushered out the door quietly on the last day and never contacted again. Not that I needed their attention or appreciation – my motives were not to gain the favor of men but to point others to Christ. Yet, we are human. It wounded me that I would leave without their blessing when I came to them and dealt honorably with them and asked them to do the same with me.
God has dealt with my wounds, my misgivings and shown me that His plans were to grow me and challenge me there so I would move beyond myself in a new assignment and all of those things happened. I said not more than three years ago that I felt that I would be denying my calling if I did not seek opportunities to write and teach my own curriculum. In our new church home – I have been empowered, discipled, trained and released to do just that.
It is much to absord and process, but much more to be a part of a functioning body that is seeing lives changed in the name of Christ and seeing missionaries sent and nations healed through the offerings of the body of Christ. Working with other churches, reaching across denominational lines and empowering others to do the same. In one word, we are a body seeking God with everything we have and serving God out of that relationship. Worth the journey to be sure. Worth the journey to be sure.
The church is not the building, the financial prospectus and the community it serves all these things are necessary for an church to be effective in ministry, but… It is about the PEOPLE who embody it. The church was never called to be a building or a place – it was called be unified in Christ through its members – the People who meet the needs of others in the name of Jesus Christ. To serve Him by serving others. We get our eyes fixed on doctrines, denominations and building codes and miss the truth behind the paperwork. GOD. He is the center of the church. When God, His Vision and His people come together something powerful happens. We must live that way – surrendered to Him that way and seeking Him that way. I love the church – the Bride of Christ because she is the PEOPLE. We have to stop drawing lines and marking out territory – and carefully weigh the truth behind the messages we preach with our lives.
I pray that the church awakens to this truth in America as so many are on our knees. It is a crisis right here within our borders that is destroying the ministry of the faithful because we only see missions as something we do far away and fail to do it right here in our own backyard. Blessings…. and keep getting the word out. There is hope for the church and it is all in Him, all in Christ who is our all. Let’s live like that.