Comments on: Is Church Important Enough To Close Its Doors?

By: Kate Frances

Kate Frances — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:45:29 +0000

Your site is inspring, and so are your reflections on going outside the church into the streets. Here’s my question: why can’t we leave the church doorsopen 24/7 so that those on the streets always have a place for rest and reflection and prayer.

Is this possible?

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 06:31:50 +0000

Our similarly sized church did this exact thing last year. Being very new to the church as well as a businessman, I was impressed with (among other things) the amount of faith it must have taken the church to forgo the offering for a week. I was delighted to see that the next week’s offering was pretty much double the usual number, but distinctly remember my awe at the fact that the church so trusted God’s provision they were willing to do this.

Nate, I understand your concern about the idea, however I think you’ll agree that what Christians should be doing and what they are doing are often two different things. I think many Christians know they should be serving, but they really don’t know how to start. When our church did this, there was a lot of focus put on the different ways we can serve our community. And by doing it instead of church services as opposed to some random Tuesday, it eliminated another big excuse – I just don’t have the time. Hopefully, it eliminated that excuse just long enough to get people excited enough about serving to actually find the time to do so. As far as broadcasting it publicly – doing so generated quite a bit of interest in our community. It seemed to have served as a gentle reminder to other Christians of the need to serve. And I believe it may have caused some who viewed Christianity with a skeptical eye to take a closer look. I think publicly sending a few thousand people out to serve the community makes a pretty bold statement.

By: nate

nate — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 15:16:09 +0000

I doubt anyone disagree that change is incremental and that there has to be a starting point. I just don't believe this was the right point of beginning, or that it was necessary to broadcast via an outdoor and public marque. nate’s last blog post..Get in the Game.

By: Brad Ruggles

Brad Ruggles — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 21:44:45 +0000

Nate, I can see your point but changing people’s perspective takes time.

Lisa and I actually attended Grace Community last Sunday for the last message of their “Shake The System – Be Brave Not Safe” series. We heard the Pastor encourage the congregation to move from an episode to a lifestyle.

There were many who shared testimonies that morning about how that day of service changed them and opened their eyes to the opportunities all around them.

I’m sure that weekend was a catalyst for change in many people’s lives to become more active in giving, volunteering, missions and social justice.

You’re right, we should be living a life of service to others all week long but even a lifestyle of service starts with a single episode.

By: nate

nate — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 21:17:41 +0000

I guess my reaction is a little different. It seems a bit sad to me that Church services were canceled for the purpose of community service, which is a form of giving. (doing to the least of these). It's my opinion, as per the gospel suggests, that Christians should be doing this anyway. Is Sunday the ONLY day of the week that Christians will devote any of there time to God? Does the Leadership of the church know that if they didn't cancel this already allotted 'God time' the majority of attendees would neglect any community service during the week? I'm not knocking the church...I've never been there. It just rubs me the wrong way. nate’s last blog post..Get in the Game.

By: Church Marketing Around the Web | blogs4God

Church Marketing Around the Web | blogs4God — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:37:32 +0000

[...] When churches close their doors. This big local church closed their doors for a weekend of service. Perhaps not having services for a better purpose will end up growing your church more than having services will. [...]

By: Christ-Centered Dad » Blog Archive » A Xmas Manifesto

Christ-Centered Dad » Blog Archive » A Xmas Manifesto — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:22:33 +0000

[...] Our church, Grace Community Church, just completed a sermon series called “Shake the System”. In the series, the pastors questioned the church’s role in helping the needy here in our own country and across the world. It was amazing to see the things ordinary people are doing to further God’s Kingdom and change our world at the same time. We examined the social injustices that prevail across the globe and places we can serve and make a difference. The church even closed for a Weekend of Service. See also Is Church Important Enough to Close Its Doors? [...]

By: Briana

Briana — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:20:21 +0000

WOW! This gave me chills!!! I don't know much about the church besides driving by it but that is so inspiring! Briana’s last blog post..Meijer Deals 11/23 to 11/29 (or 12/2)

By: Curtis Honeycutt

Curtis Honeycutt — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:00:13 +0000

No way! This is such a touching blog entry. Brad, I am part of the Outreach team at Grace who planned this whole mammoth project, and it was quite an event. Thank you so much for writing about it. I found your blog via churchmarketingsucks.com. Curtis Honeycutt’s last blog post..Staggering

By: Nick

Nick — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:48:54 +0000

I've always wanted to do that. When everyone walks into church, have a table with sack lunches on it and tell everyone to grab a lunch and get ready to head out to "be the" church. Nick’s last blog post..Adoption Rocks with Long Sleeves