We had a good chat on Sunday morning during the Orleans service. It's obviously summer, folks are travelling and away, and it seems kind of silly to have our typical church setup, so next week, we are going to try something different... a semi-circle.
Here's the deal, I don't believe in church services nearly as much as church meetings. I'll explain.
I think when the church (assembly) got together, they would talk with each other, catch up on what the Lord was doing in their families and lives, and in that, they were giving glory to God, encouraging and sharing with one another.
We know that they sang songs of praise, songs of worship and songs of doctrine (teaching). Singing is something that believers have done and will continue to do in heaven.
We also know that they would listen to teaching, someone would be reading and explaining from the Scriptures. They would have a time of learning.
We also know that they would pray, individually, for each other and as a group.
That's a meeting of the church. It's when Christians, believers in Jesus get together. I'm not sure when it became a service, and when it became a show, or experience or consumerist. We are Christians, and we grow when we are engaged in worship, study and fellowship.
So, on Sundays in Orleans, we are going to change the format of our meeting to allow for it to become more 'conference' rather than 'service'. We won't change Saturday's meeting, the group is too large to try to attempt this.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Oh, yes, please pray for us...
Sounds cool Andy!
Posted by: Jon Juane | July 19, 2011 at 12:43 PM
Sounds like a great idea. So blessed that you consistently heed the Lord's gentle voice..honours & glorifies Him, blesses others!
Posted by: Linda Owen | July 19, 2011 at 12:49 PM
Thanks Linda!
Posted by: Andy Falleur | July 19, 2011 at 04:41 PM
Jon, that is totally your style of church! I think you would eat it up!
Posted by: Andy Falleur | July 19, 2011 at 04:41 PM