Sundays are a big deal for Christians. This is no secret. But two imminent threats exist against the church gathered. I've watched these two threats show up unannounced and discretely, and every Christian and local church is vulnerable. Both threats are designed to dislodge one of the best rhythms God has given us, his kids. I'd be willing to bet that if you're reading this, and willing to be honest, one (or both) would be true for you.
The greatest threats to Sundays are overvaluing or undervaluing the weekly gathering.
Here in part one of this three part series we'll look at why these threats should matter to all of us.
WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?
If you’re a Christian than you probably figured out that you’re signed up for a lifetime of Sundays. Sunday is normal and important, sure. And yet making too much or too little of them is highly dangerous to the Christian life. And no one is immune. This issue matters because it attacks an essential rhythm for all believers.
It's a necessary message because we as believers can "fall off the horse" on both sides. incidentally if you’re not a Christian and you’re here asking questions about faith and church and Jesus, then this discussion will hopefully give you an idea of what this part of Christianity is all about.
Some of us connect with God primarily through our head-space or intellect, while others from the heart and emotion, while others through activity and the action of our hands. This issue matters because these threats detrimentally affects all types; those that learn and grow primarily through their head, heart, or hands. God wants us to understand, be desirous of, and participate in Sundays and we all can stray from fully engaging and receiving from the Sunday gathering.
Lastly, this issue matters because it affects the very way we do church, and the way we reach the world. A monstrous proportion of church impotency, leader frustration, and cultural irrelevance is tied to the over-estimation or neglect of our Sundays together.
"Why would that person think it's ok to sleep around, don't they remember that one time I talked about God's design for sex two years ago!?!"
"How is it possible that only half the church knew about the fundraiser...we've announced it every Sunday for two months!"
"Why do people come 20 minutes late to the worship service every week with a coffee in hand?"
TWO PEDALS
Unsurprisingly, spiritual health is like our physical health…if we neglect, minimize, or discount the most important things to our health then our health will suffer. This is at the root of why most churches either focus on Sunday experiences or everyday discipleship. It's not easy to do both, and most churches that claim to nail both, though well intentioned, are often unaware of how most people experience that community.
The elders and staff at Doxa have doubled down as it relates to doing SUNDAYS and life together, and doing them both well. It's hard. Really hard. Saying yes to one thing is always a no to something else. Every dollar spent on making Sundays better can be movement away from resourcing everyday discipleship. We talk about the tension around our office in a way that I think it’s helpful. Picture Sundays as one of the pedals on this bike below:
I want you to see the opposite pedal as whatever your church does to facilitate bible study, prayer, mission, and life together (for us it's missional communities). It seems basic, but its important to point out that no one is going to get very far very fast if they only use one pedal. And from what we can see in scripture and in church history, disciples are made and the kingdom of God goes out in powerful and transformative ways when God’s people do both. What I’m saying is, we need both pedals. Keep those pedals in mind as we look at our first threat.
Part two is found here.
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Published by: Donald in Devotions, Resources for Worship Leaders