Comments on: Christmas Pageant Disaster and Mars Hill Snow Days: Lessons for the Megachurches

By: dumb ox

dumb ox — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 17:15:42 +0000

From this and previous discussions concerning Mars Hill, I get the impression that they are after the high-testosterone, manly crowd; spiritual girly-men not welcome. He talks big and tough. It seems like part of the schtick. And I’m not singling out Mars Hill; it seems like a recent evangelical trend, along with driving motorcycles through church (Fonzie Theology?).

But unfortunately, there are times when talking tough is necessary. Paul didn’t hand-hold the Corinthians. But if you are called to preach that sort of message, be ready with the salve of the gospel to bind the wounds. Show the way to the cross. Have the bread and cup ready. But I think the problem is that the average pastor preaching a big-club sermon is trying to goad his congregation toward a change in behavior, rather than lead them to a Savior who can, not only change them, but forgive them. Especially for small congregations, where the pastor feels like the church’s survival is on the line, I can see how tempting it would be to panic if people are not attending, tithing, serving, or evangelizing enough. But even in those circumstances, the Gospel is the answer, no matter how contrary that may sound.

But if toughness is just part of the showmanship, then its going to be difficult turning it off. When there is constantly a hammer in your hand, everything and everyone will start looking like a nail. The hammer we need is the “Hammer of God” (yes, a shameless plug for Giertz’s timeless book).

From what I understand, the shepherd’s rod was not used to beat the sheep, but to fight off predators. Pastors should definitely talk loud and tough when it comes to defending the flock. Instead, we live in a time when pastors abuse their congregations and heretics are defended against anyone who might sound the least bit “judgemental”.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 17:48:24 +0000

My husband and I are active at our church. I’m on C.E.; am the Sunday School Superintendent, and direct Vacation Bible School. My husband is just finishing up his term on another committee and runs another project for the church. We live in New England. We had quite a snowy weekend, and although our Sunday Service was held, many local churches canceled because the roads were so bad. I let my Sunday School teachers and committee chair know that I wouldn’t be there (and they already know they are free to cancel if need be; as two others did this past weekend).

I have three children. The drive from home to church is about a half mile, but it’s nearly a half-mile that’s completely downhill. (I was going to say “straight” downhill, but none of our roads here are straight.) The road conditions were deplorable in our area. My husband was exhausted and achey from shoveling. We also skipped out on a family Christmas party on Sunday, too.

On the other hand, on Christmas Eve, we were there for the early service (which is put on by the children — a nativity play and carols) and we were there for the 11:00pm candlelight service.

Despite the various roles I fill there, it’s because I don’t think of my church as a job that I didn’t go last Sunday, and decided to go twice on Wednesday.

By: Brian Roden

Brian Roden — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 19:35:15 +0000

J wrote: “As a church, why not have the policy: â€œWe will ALWAYS open the doors on Sunday (or Sat), regardless of the weather. One of us with a key will unlock a door and enable those that can come to come and gather together. Weâ€™ll leave it up to you (freedom) to choose whether to venture out and join us.â€”

That’s the way my pastor puts it. “If weather’s bad, I and some other core leaders will be here.The doors will be open.”

We may not have children’s church or nursery workers, and all be together in the sanctuary, but service will be held. Those who can’t make it due to weather can catch the streaming video on the website, which was started precisely so people traveling on business or home ill could still participate to some degree.

By: willoh

willoh — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 13:27:45 +0000

Last Sunday we had a couple inches of snow with wet slushy stuff on top. Only about 20 people showed. Most of the people with old cars or poor tires stayed home, and the baby squad was missing too. I was glad that the people had enough brains to keep off the roads. Church is just not an emergency. Pray at home. We don’t pass the plate, maybe that makes a difference.

By: Anna A

Anna A — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 23:59:36 +0000

Eric,

When your pastor was talking about how committed you were, wasn’t that in person, just to the brave souls who made it? If that’s the case, it was probably done with appreciation and affection. (That’s what I would hope.)

We are concerned about the criticism of those who couldn’t make it, for valid reasons. I never remember being criticized for not making it, when it snowed in North Carolina.

Not to mention, Pastor Driscoll’s remarks that Myrrdin quoted, nor comparing those who couldn’t make it to work slackards.

Question: Since we are supposed to be in community as Christians, how much Mars Hill community do you think that the people who drive 3 hours (I presume that it is 3 hours 1 way) get?

By: Chaplain Mike

Chaplain Mike — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 21:29:44 +0000

Thanks for a thoughtful response, Eric. I have come to the conclusion, at least at this point in my life after 30 years of ministry, that the megachurch approach, along with many other clever human attempts to strategize and organize the work of the church, does more harm than good because it is too deeply rooted in an entrepreneurial and business model. That leads to endless temptations for its leaders and people to try to do too much, say too much and claim too much that is simply not the Gospel.

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 21:01:21 +0000

I’m sorry if that earlier post was a bit harsh, but let me try to say what frustrated me a little more clearly. I too am annoyed by the fact that Driscoll makes much of numbers and think that there is plenty of freedom in the gospel for those who conclude it would be prudent to stay at home.
That said, reading Driscoll’s post, it seemed to be meant as a simple expression of gratitude toward people who made it to corporate worship despite difficult weather. Nothing more, nothing less. Did it reflect a certain numbers- and volunteer-focused notion of how the church should operate? Probably. But the point of the post, and the weight of what Driscoll was saying, was simply that he was glad people who were able to came to gather in corporate worship even though it might have been easier not to.
If anything, this is the opposite of the typical mega-church mentality, which would see such an empty morning as a failure. Sure, we shouldn’t make church attendance some law to beat people up with, but to rejoice in the fact that it is important to one’s congregation to congregate doesn’t seem like it warrants an overwhelmingly negative response, which is how I felt the comments were running.
As for “vitriol,” that was a poor word choice. Proof that I need the gospel just as much as anybody. I guess I just felt like we were taking a well-meant attempt at thanking those who attended as a criminal because of how it might have sounded to those who couldn’t. It seems like sometimes we seize on what’s wrong with what someone says in a way that backs them into a corner, that says that simply because they have a “mega-church,” no matter what a pastor says, he can’t win. And this seems like a terrible place to put any human being. I would go crazy if my (admittedly poor) attempts at encouragement were subjected to that sort of scrutiny.
So, I apologize for my frustration, but I do think that the weight of criticism we’re wont to level would be far more than I could bear. And I’m chief among those who can play the critic.

By: Chaplain Mike

Chaplain Mike — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 19:56:13 +0000

Eric, if you are referring to my posts, you certainly missed my point. Pastor Driscoll’s remarks are symptomatic of what’s wrong with American church culture, and especially the megachurch mentality. Furthermore, your rural pastor didn’t post his frustrations about those substandard Christians who are less than “hardcore” on the internet for the whole world to see!

I hereby sentence you to read Myrdden’s last post 100 times!

By: Anna A

Anna A — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 19:24:11 +0000

I’ve read the blog entry at least twice and all of the comments here.

I am very bothered by Pastor Driscoll’s comments. He seems very clueless at best. To praise those who put themselves and others at serious risk to come to church. (I’ve driven, at least once, 1.5 hours just to attend Mass at a specific church, but never during bad weather).

When people are experienced with snow, they are more comfortable with knowing their own abilities to drive and NOT to drive. In areas where there isn’t much snow, then even more care must be taken.

One thing that sticks in my craw is his comments about getting to work. I like working, and have made it in one day, when we were sent home early. If he wants to compare church to work, then be like my current boss, who is concerned that I make it in safely (and prefers safety to on time). He was even willing to drive my car from the street into the less plowed parking lot, when I was afraid to.

By: iMonk

iMonk — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 18:14:35 +0000

>â€œIf we are depressed, complaining, or secretly wishing we could be home there is something wrong with us.â€

No. There isnâ€™t.

Buy that man the double Christmas Rum punch, bartender. Amen. Amen and Amen.

Just about everything that is immature and wrong with evangelical spirituality in one sentence, and the TRUTH of the Gospel in one answer.

Buy that quote and frame it.