Tag: church

Why is Community Important at Church?

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date August 26, 2012

For the past 19 weeks, my bride and I have been visiting different churches to expand our understanding of how others worship and understand God.

We call this initiative “52 Churches” and I blog about the experience each Monday morning.

52 Churches: A Yearlong Journey Encountering God, His Church, and Our Common Faith

However, friends frequently ask for more: “What are you learning,” “Is your journey changing,” or “Have you found any churches you want to revisit?” The short answers are

We’re learning a great deal,
the vision for our sojourn is unchanged, and
there are several churches we’d like to revisit.

A key realization at this point is that it’s not about the teaching or the music; it’s about the community.

We’ve heard messages from gifted speakers and not so gifted. We’ve been taught by the formally trained and the self-trained. We’ve been presented with deep thoughts and entertaining anecdotes.

In all cases, we’ve received a worthwhile word from God. I suspect as long as we’re open to hear and expectantly pray for that to happen, it will.

Similarly, we’ve sung traditional hymns, contemporary songs, and modern praise choruses. We’ve been led by accomplished vocalists and struggling crooners.

There have been worship bands, pipe organs, and pianos, accompaniment tracks, and even a capella.

In all cases, as long as we’re willing to focus on the words, God is there.

Message and music, I’m sad to report, are not important.

The big variable is the community. Community is that time of interaction with others (aside from that awkward official greeting time). This is when connections are made and God is shared.

God seems more present in these informal interactions before and after the service than in the planned and carefully prepped moments during the service.

In a few churches, there is no community. People come, people sit, and people leave, with nary a word exchanged.

Fortunately, most churches have community and some excel at it. These are the churches I want to return to; these are the experiences that excite me; these are the moments when God is most powerfully present.

Community is church at its best.

My wife and I visited a different Christian Church every Sunday for a year. This is our story. Get your copy of 52 Churches today, available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Tags 52 Churches, church, community, good music, good sermon

Reviews of Books & Movies

Book Review: The Hip-Hop Church

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date July 27, 2012

The Hip-Hop Church: Connecting with the Movement Shaping Our Culture

By Efrem Smith and Phil Jackson (reviewed by Peter DeHaan)

In The Hip-Hop Church, authors Efrem Smith and Phil Jackson assert that hip-hop transcends the music on which it is based, forming its own culture that has been largely missed or dismissed by the church.

They note that even youth who don’t listen to hip-hop music are heavily influenced by the culture it has spawned. This is the hip-hop generation, which the authors present as an overlooked mission field.

Divided into three parts, along with two forwards and an introduction, The Hip-Hop Church provides much to consider and contemplate about all that is hip-hop.

In the introduction, the authors share their connection with hip-hop and their passion for it.

Part one, “Why Should the Church Care about Hip-Hop,” consists of a solitary chapter that addresses the connections between hip-hop and the African American church.

The authors astutely note that “the church cannot avoid the culture of the unchurched postmodern community,” (p 42).

Part two, “Understanding the Hip-Hop Culture,” addresses hip-hop as both postmodern and an influencer of culture.

Laying the foundation for discussion, Efrem states that “Hip-hop is about dance, art, expression, pain, love, racism, sexism, broken families, hard times, the search for God and overcoming,” (p 81).

“Bringing Hip-Hop into Your Church” is the title of part three, introducing the concept of “holy hip-hop.”

Comprising nearly half the book, this section is both a primer and a practical guide for those desiring to integrate hip-hop into their church services or to produce special hip-hop outreach events.

After discussing the components that comprise a holy hip hop service, the schedule, or “flow,” of one is presented.

Phil concludes The Hip-Hop Church with the reminder that “culture and religion cannot be separated,” (p 217).

For his part, Efrem reminds readers that “the church embracing and engaging hip-hop culture in the end is really not about music but about a generation of young people,” (p 220).

Throughout the book there are repeated allusions that though hip-hop is primarily an urban, minority phenomenon, its influences pervade all of culture and therefore all churches must consider reaching out to the hip-hop generation.

Nevertheless, the examples and efforts shared center on the urban, African American church, leaving more questions than answers for those who are non-urban and non-African American.

Even so, The Hip-Hop Church provides much to consider and contemplate.

[The Hip-Hop Church: Connecting with the Movement Shaping Our Culture, by Efrem Smith and Phil Jackson. Published by InterVarsity Press, 2005, ISBN: 978-0-8308-3329-0, 227 pages.]

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

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Tags author, church, postmodern, youth

Bible Insights

Ungodly Men in the Church

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date May 10, 2012

The book of Jude—which I’ve blogged about quite a bit—addresses ungodly men in the church, not those outside the church.

Jude’s key passage is verse 11, where he compares ungodly men in the church to Cain, Balaam, and Korah.

It’s noteworthy that each of these men has an overlooked connection with God, as do ungodly men in the church. Despite this, it’s their failings for which they are noted. But even in these, we may be looking at things too simplistically. Upon deeper consideration:

The way of Cain is not controlling sin.
The error of Balaam is syncretism, that is, mixing religions.
The rebellion of Korah is not a problem with his theology, but in opposing God’s appointed leaders.

These examples give us pause. The ungodly in the church: do not control sin, mix different religious ideas, and oppose God’s leaders.

Given this, we have much to guard against, less we become the very people in the church that Jude warns us against.

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Tags Balaam, Cain, church, Jude, Korah

Visiting Churches

52 Churches: The Journey Begins

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date April 9, 2012

For an Entire Year, We Visited a Different Christian Church Every Sunday

Next week, I will begin reposting a thread called “52 Churches.” It reflects on my church experience when my wife and I took a year to visit a different Christian church each week. The journey begins—again.

Each week it will be of a different church within the family of Christian creeds—and the project is planned to last for one year, hence the title, “52 Churches.”

My bride will be my willing partner in this experience. And, no, we are not church shopping, looking for that perfect community to join.

Instead, we are looking to broaden our understanding of ways to experience God through a vast array of different faith communities.

While on our tour, I anticipate that we will make new acquaintances and reconnect with old ones. I expect that we will be stretched and occasionally feel uncomfortable.

I suspect that we will squirm at times and applaud at others (be it literally or figuratively), that we will alternately be excited and bored, encouraged and discouraged, inspired and disheartened.

But through it all, I am confident that our comprehension and appreciation for God will grow, as it will for the diverse group of people we will meet along the way.

This promises to be great adventure and I hope that you will follow along with us. The journey begins.

[Read the next post about 52 Churches.]

My wife and I visited a different Christian Church every Sunday for a year. This is our story. Get your copy of 52 Churches today, available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Tags 52 Churches, church

Christian Living

Not Going to Church

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 5, 2012

I think it was Reggie McNeal who first said, “People…are not leaving the church because they have lost their faith. They are leaving to preserve their faith.”

That statement may be shocking—even heretical—to some, but I suspect that for many it is enlightening, effectively explaining declining church attendance, albeit in a disconcerting and confronting manner.

For a growing number of folks, this quip either gives voice to the ache in their hearts or offers credence to their faith journey.

When I first heard this statement, it immediately resonated with me, explaining spiritual angst that I saw around me. Today, however, my comprehension of this idea has grown to underscore my own spiritual angst.

Though I still attend an institutional church, I suspect that I no longer belong there.

An amazing friend is seeing this played out. Increasingly she is meeting those who love Jesus, but no longer “go to church.”

Although they long for meaningful community and connection with other like-minded believers, they do not find it in the typical Sunday morning church service—so they give up.

How sad.

However, there are a growing number of viable alternatives. For my friend, it is a house church.

For others it may be a “small group,” a parachurch organization, or simply an intentional meeting with others who share their faith journey or faith questions.

To the disenfranchised, I encourage you not to give up. Keep seeking until you find the spiritual community that your heart longs for. It is out there.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Tags church, church attendance, house church, small group

Christian Living

Where is Church?

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 8, 2012

Where is Church?

Over the holidays I reconnected with a valued friend. Although our paths had diverged for a couple of years, we easily picked up where we left off. We talked about writing and family and faith—and eventually, church.

He had taken a time-out from attending, only recently returning for the sake of his kids. After bouncing around a bit, he eventually “settled” on one.

He says it’s okay. He likes the pastor and the people are nice, but he longs for more than “surface” relationships.

Given my own questions about church (see Church Attendance and Spiritual but not Religious), I had mostly kept silent, but when he mentioned a longing for deep connection, I simply said, “Like this.”

We agreed that our Tuesday morning restaurant meal had more spiritual significance than what we normally experience on Sunday mornings.

This is church, I thought—except that the words also tumbled out of my mouth. He nodded, though I know not if out of politeness or agreement.

While I appreciate that many bristle at the suggestion that church could happen during the week, in a restaurant, without a pastor, and sans music or sermon—I do know the God was there with us.

Another of my “church” experiences is my twice-monthly volunteering at the local food pantry. There I worship God through my acts of service to those who Jesus said we are to help. There I fellowship with others as we work together.

Though we come from different churches—and no churches—we are there forming relationships, helping others, and being united as one “church”—just like Jesus prayed (John 17:23).

So I went to church last Tuesday and then on Saturday. I will go again this Sunday. But I’m sure my Sunday experience won’t match what I relished on Tuesday and Saturday.

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Tags church, poor, worship

Christian Living

Do You Struggle With Church Attendance?

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date October 23, 2011

Much of my life I have struggled with going to church. It’s not that I’ve been in a crisis of faith, but more a crisis of religion—or, as some would call it, religiosity.

Church attendance has not been faith confirming for me as much as faith confounding.

My spiritual journey and growth happen largely in the 167 hours each week that I am not attending church, while the one hour that I am there is more of an anomaly to pursuing a holistic life with God at the center.

If I approach church attendance as a consumer—which is what largely happens in the United States today—I would look for the one with the best music and messages.

However, given that even better music and messages can be found online and consumed at any time, there is little reason to hop in my car in search of them on Sunday morning.

Next, there is the idea of community. The Bible tells us to meet together. I have met many people at church and have numerous acquaintances who I enjoy seeing each week.

But for the vast majority of them, our relationship is limited to one hour on Sunday, so my friendships there are mostly shallow.

As I have shared my consternation with a few trusted friends, they have offered some ideas of why I should attend church each week.

Their sage suggestions boil down to focusing on others: to help, encourage, serve, and be an example. I am happy to do so—which is why I continue to attend.

I am pleased to give to others, but I am also aware that I, too, need encouragement and support—it’s just that I will need to find it somewhere other than at a Sunday church service.

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Tags church, religious

Bible Insights

A Different Perspective on the Bible

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date September 8, 2011

In one of the blogs I read, someone posted a comment. The message only somewhat tied in with the topic and the backlink was to an unrelated website.

I dislike the idea of giving the author’s rant any more exposure by repeating it, but once I set aside the invective nature of the post, I saw both truth and insight within. Here is the comment:

“The bible is a poorly edited anthology of 3rd Century literature. Calling it ‘God’s Word’ perpetuates the church’s fraud.”

Let’s break it down:

Poorly Edited

Yes, the Bible is poorly edited. In fact, aside from what is necessary in the process of translation, the intent is that it is not edited at all. This is a good thing.

Anthology

An anthology is a collection of literary works. With the Bible’s creation spanning a couple of millennia and written by about forty authors, it is definitely an anthology.

Third Century

This is only somewhat correct and a great oversimplification. The components of the New Testament were being compiled in its present assemblage in the third century, even though that effort started a couple of centuries prior.

The contents of the Old Testament were assembled much earlier. The actual writing of the various sections, called books, of the Bible, however, certainly predates the third century.

Literature

The Bible is literature—great literature, in my opinion. Based on worldwide sales, it is the most popular literary work ever.

God’s Word

Yes, this is what many people call it. I do too!

Perpetuates the Church…

The Bible is a resource that propels the church forward, though I believe that could happen even without the Bible.

Fraud

The Bible acknowledges that its message will seem as foolishness and be offensive to those who’ understand it (1 Corinthians 1:18-25), so the writer’s conclusion is consistent with what the Bible says.

My only hope is that the author who penned this comment will one day see fit to change the final word from “fraud” to “faith.”

[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is 1 Corinthians 1-4, and today’s post is on 1 Corinthians 1:18-25.]

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Tags Bible, church

Christian Living

A Failure to Understand the Book of Jude?

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date August 7, 2011

I’m doing a series of posts about the short and often overlooked book of Jude. Jude’s letter is a warning, almost a rant, about ungodly people who are in the church.

Among their sordid characteristics, Jude says that they “speak abusively against whatever they do not understand.”

That seems to be an accurate description of what I often hear when people talk about others who hold differing spiritual perspectives.

This is perhaps most pronounced within Protestantism, with its three major divisions and 42,000 disparate denominations. (See my posts about unity for more info.)

This idea of speaking against what is not understood not only occurs from within the major religions, but also between them.

It seems that many Christians fear Muslims, but I understand that many Muslims also fear Christians.

While there are historical reasons behind this (consider the crusades, for instance), the main cause today is a lack of understanding about the beliefs and practices of others (setting aside the radical fringe that is found in every group).

As an alternative to speaking against what is not understood, is Paul’s encouragement to “speak the truth in love.” That beats hateful rhetoric every day.

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Tags church, Jude, love, unity

Christian Living

Let’s Get Together: Celebrating Community

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date May 1, 2011

Spend Intentional Time with Other Faith Seekers and Fellow Spiritual Pilgrims

Instead of celebrating community, in the individualistic society in which we live, most who pursue spiritual things do so in an individualistic manner—by themselves.

This is not good, and it is not wise.

Living the spiritual life is best accomplished in conjunction with others. The benefit of a collective perspective helps to protect us from making errors in judgment and reaching unwise conclusions.

Although a group consensus is not a guarantee of a sound comprehension of God, its combined input is a tremendous tool in discovering truth.

As you set to convene a cadre of spiritual seekers, avoid a leader-centric group, and instead seek an egalitarian gathering.

Unfortunately, we seldom accomplish this in a traditional church setting, which is one reason why some have given up on that practice.

Your spiritual gathering doesn’t need to meet in a church building or assemble on a Sunday morning. It can happen any day or time and can occur at someone’s home, at a coffee shop, or even a bar.

The pursuit of a spiritual life is a journey, one that is best suited and more fully enjoyed in the company of others. Attempting to travel this road on your own can result in getting lost or heading in the wrong direction.

Instead, the solution is community. Jesus lived in community. The Holy Trinity lives in community. God wants to be in community with us, and he created us to desire community with each other.

That’s why it’s important to never stop celebrating community.

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Tags biblical Christianity, church, community