Church - Unvarnished

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Why do people avoid church?

by Donald E. Hester on Tuesday, 05 May 2009 Christianity 0 Comments

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I have had a number of experiences lately on this topic. I figure it is time to start writing down what I am learning about.

The question has come up a number of times and I have heard a number of responses. The question is, why are people avoiding church. (Little 'c' church on Sunday mornings.) In Hebrews we are reminded not to neglect or forget to gather or meet. So why are so many people put off by what we call church today?

My first question is, are these objections to church meetings on Sunday morning, really material to a Christian life? I have an easy answer. No. To be a Christian we don't have to attend meetings every Sunday morning, or ever on Sunday for that matter.

I think for many people they feel that the Christian life is simply going to church on Sunday, listen to a message, sing some songs and put some money in the offering. And if you don't do any major sins the rest of the week, you are set, smooth sailing. I think those people are mistaken.

My next question is whether or not it is a preference. Is it simply the mode of delivery that is the issue? Some people want to have it this way others don't. Could multiple ways of 'church' be correct?

These are some of the question that I start with. I plan to investigate further to see if I can make heads or tails on this issue.

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What's so good about Good Friday?

by Donald E. Hester on Friday, 10 April 2009 Christianity 0 Comments

Cross at St. Joseph's San Pablo, CA For those of you that are not Christian

Hey you get a day off or spring break. Maybe you have to work but little gets done. Plus, tomorrow is Saturday, so Friday is good. Or you may go out for drinks and get sloshed. However, Good Friday represents the sacrifice of love for you by the Creator of the Universe. I don't know if you noticed or have compared Christianity with any other religion. (Not that I would call Christianity a religion.) In no other religion do you have the supreme being sacrifice him or herself for you! All other religions consist of you working toward goodness, heaven, nirvana etc...

In Christianity the God of the Universe paid for everyone's wrong doings, evil deeds etc… I know what some readers are thinking, 'I am not that bad'. I call bull shit! Deep down, in paces we don't like to look, we all know we are at our core that we are sinners. If you don't think so you are deceiving yourself.

For Christians

How have we squandered this day. We have neglected it and focuses more on ourselves that what He did for the whole world. It sickens me to see the cross knowing that I still cling to selfish ways. It reminds me that I am still a man in need of a Savior.

If we remember what He did for use and the forgiveness we received even though we do not deserve it, I think we would not treat others so harshly. For some that call themselves Christians, bash away at people who have had a divorce, who have had an abortion and those who are homosexual. Have we forgotten our own sin? Have we forgotten to Love as commanded? Do we think He died only for us?

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Culturally Agnostic

by Donald E. Hester on Tuesday, 24 February 2009 Christianity 0 Comments

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I am learning new things every day. One truth I am learning is that we can't understand the Bible from a mono-cultural point of view.

I have suspected for some time and now have it confirmed in a class called Perspectives, that Christianity is culturally agnostic. In other words, Christianity is not tied to a specific culture. Christianity was born out of the Judaism and it left behind the culture and blended into new cultures.

I know what some people are thinking. I know that some Christians have tied culture to Christianity, especial here in America. True Christianity is not tied to the American culture, the European culture or the Jewish culture for that matter. Christianity is culturally independent.

As Christians, we can follow a Palestinian Jew without becoming a Jewish Palestinian. We have to set aside our mono-cultural assumptions. If we do not drop our cultural baggage, we are ting the Gospel down.

"Christianity more than any other faith or philosophy has been able to shed the cultural clothing with which it once seemed identified and reclothed itself in a new culture." - D.T. Niles

Christianity when introduced into a culture will adapt into the culture, so that the World may know and God's glory is show. This reminds me of one of the Marine Corps mottos, adapt and over come.

How can the good news be heard in all nations when we have cultural gaps wider than the Grand Canyon?

To be a Christian must you accept the culture of those who brought it?

Paul made a great point to the Christians who were stuck on the Jewish culture. "Let’s not make it difficult for the Ethne that are coming to God" Acts 15:1-19

How did Paul bridge the cultural gap?

"To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some." Holman Christian standard version. (1 Co 9:22)

In Pagan Christianity by Frank Viola (http://frankviola.wordpress.com/) shows how many of the Christian customs of today have been barrowed for pagan religions. I agree, I believe this is what Paul was talking about when he said he was all things to all people. Christianity has adapted itself over the centuries to the culture of the people. As if the Christian message has been translated culturally.

The lyrics from Casting Crowns song 'What the World Needs', seem very apropos:

What this world needs

Is not another one hit wonder with an axe to grind,

Another two bit politician peddlin` lies,

Another three ring circus society.

What this world needs

Is not another sign wavin` super saint that's better than you,

Another ear pleasin` candy man afraid of the truth,

Another prophet in an Armani suit.

What this world needs

Is a Savior who will rescue,

A Spirit who will lead,

A Father who will love them in their time of need.

A Savior who will rescue,

A Spirit who will lead,

A Father who will love,

That's what this world needs.

What this world needs

Is for us to care more about the inside than the outside.

Have we become so blind that we can't see?

God's gotta change her heart before He changes her shirt.

What this world needs

Is for us to stop hiding behind our relevance.

Blendin` in so well that people can't see the difference

And it's the difference that sets the world free.

People aren't confused by the gospel,

They're confused by us.

Jesus is the only way to God,

But we are not the only way to Jesus.

This world doesn't need

My tie, my hoodie,

My denomination, or my translation of the Bible,

They just need Jesus.

We can be passionate about what we believe,

But we can't strap ourselves to the gospels.

Because we're slowing it down

Jesus is going to save the world,

But maybe the best thing we can do

Is just get out of the way.

What this world needs

Is a Savior who will rescue,

A Spirit who will lead,

A Father who will love them in their time of need.

A Savior who will rescue,

A Spirit who will lead,

A Father who will love,

That's what this world needs.

Jesus is our Savior,

That's what this world needs

Father's arms around you,

That's what this world needs

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Does Size Matter?

by Donald E. Hester on Sunday, 22 February 2009 Christianity 0 Comments

Coors Can I will keep this short.

Does the size of the Church matter. I know people who are very much opposed to mega-churches. Check out a recent cartoon on mega-churches.

http://blog.christianitytoday.com/outofur/archives/2009/02/ur_wisdom_megac.html

Is the size of the church the issue? Shouldn't the issue be whether or not the Holy Spirit working there?

If the Holy Spirit is working in a mega-church, who are we to oppose God?

It seems like complaining about the color of the pews. Is that what Christianity is about? Is it about the size of your church? Small, medium, large, would you like to super size it? If God is there, isn't that enough?

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Recommended Reading

Why do people avoid church?

What's so good about Good Friday?

Culturally Agnostic

Does Size Matter?