7 November, 2003 7:41 PM
Andrew and Jason have been talking about Partying and Church. Andrew writes:
It might be better to have a party that is redemptive than having a boring service that has moments of drama/fun.
I agree - its something that I've been thinking about a lot lately. I commented on Jasons blog:
We've had a couple of LivingRoom parties lately and they have been excellent. The girls in our group had a Breast Health Party (I wasn't invited) - and we also had a party to raise money and awareness of refugee issues. Both were very small but went well. And heaps of fun too.
We're also planning a Christmas one for the end of the year....
The thing I love about the party is that it is usually an inclusive gathering where people let their worlds collide. Friends of friends meet and become friends. We've been talking about the idea of the community as the evangelist rather than the individual and parties lend themselves to this idea.
Parties are also a celebration of life. They are a part of the natural rhythm of life and a 'normal' place for people to go, be themselves and interact.
What do you think?
Update: Michael is also talking about the same thing.
Update - we had our Christmas Redemptive party
Comments
Page:
Makes a lot more sense than doing outreach via the church gathering or service or whatever you happen to call it. I wonder if it boils down to people not wanting to spend their time that way so they feel motivated to kill two birds with one stone. "Hey, what do you know, I can do outreach AND worship in only 1.5 hours each week."
bill » 8 November, 2003 4:44 AM
As an outreach, parties are great. We use them quite regularly in our mission work, both for adults and with our Student Fellowship.
As a substitute for an actual worship service, I think it's one of the more frankly stupid ideas I've heard. It presupposes two things that I think are about 50 kilometers from Biblical truth -- 1. That the worship service is primarily centered around evangelizing unbelievers rather than the worship of a Holy God by His people; and 2. That "fun" is somehow the goal of the endeavor.
Both of these presupps put man firmly in the center of the servcie, rather than God. Unless we're using a highly unconventional definition of "party", then the free mingling and chatting of a party in no way resembles "worship." It certainly isn't "in order", as Paul prescribes.
We /should/ be sensitive to the time period in which we live -- in this case, one of short attention spans and a high need for distraction from anything serious or meaningful. A time when thoughtful or complex = boring. But I don't think that means we need to become completely bubbleheaded.
So I guess it depends on what you mean by party, and what you mean by worship.
Discoshaman » 8 November, 2003 5:21 AM
"We've been talking about the idea of the community as the evangelist rather than the individual and parties lend themselves to this idea."
I think this aspect is GREAT. I wish I had been in on some of the earlier discussions on this point. Evangelicalism really has moved into such an individualistic model for evangelism (as with so many other things.) We sometimes forget that God hasn't just saved us from something -- Hell; but into something -- his covenant people, the Church.
One goal have for our church plant (and the denomination it's a part of here) is that it will be a community of faith, a place where Christians find belonging, equipping and support. And that it will, as a body, love people into the Kingdom. :-)
Discoshaman » 8 November, 2003 6:01 AM
Good stuff, parties are like pubs in the sense that Dave Crampton writes about @ Next Wave
http://www.the-next-wave.org/stories/storyReader$126
"...The community of drinkers is based on who you are, whereas the community within church revolves around what you believe. As a result I feel more able to invite my friends to the pub than to church as, at the pub, everybody feels accepted, no matter what type of drink is in the glass. Yet if you do not share the beliefs of the members of the church, you are not seen as an integral part of that community."
I think it's like that too at parties......church should be more about parties...less superficial "churchanese"
Paul » 8 November, 2003 7:23 AM
Stay tuned for my New Years Day BBQ! It's gonna be a 'worlds collide' event where you bring all your friends from work, family, church, neighbours etc. If you're in Melbourne - keep it free.
LUke » 9 November, 2003 8:23 PM
I don't think you can go wrong with good fellowship!
Beth Sargent » 8 November, 2003 2:05 AM