Pagan Christianity spilled into My Fellowship
An unusual thing happened in our usual worship gathering today: during my sermon on “The Kingdom and the Church,” one sister held her hand up and asked a question.
I believe this is what Frank Viola and George Barna want our churches to experience whenever we meet:
How can the pastor learn from the other members of the body of Christ when they are muted? How can the church learn from the pastor when its members cannot ask him questions during his orations? How can the brothers and sisters learn from one another if they are prevented from speaking in the meetings? (Pagan Christianity, p. 98, emphasis mine).
When this sister raised her hand to ask her question, I was taken aback. It was not as if we had been discussing Pagan Christianity or something of that nature.
One could propose that the Holy Spirit moved her to ask a question.
Yes, I stopped and allowed the question, offered an answer, and then continued with my sermon on “The Kingdom and the Church.”
You never know…
While the thought of someone asking a question in the middile of a sermon in 21st cdentury Western culture may seem odd, I’m sure the entire way we ‘do church’ would feel foreign to 1st century Christians. While, in general, throughout Church history, the clergy were more trained in theology that the laity (before the English Bible most Europeans couldn’t even read the Bible), today you usually have quite a wide variety of knowledge in the congregation. While I wouldn’t suggest a ‘free for all’ during the sermon, I think asking a question for clarification of a point in a message would be acceptable. If one person actually asks a question, you can bet that there are many more with the same question but don’t ask. I would rather have the Gospel understood rather than have a smooth presentation.
John said:
While the thought of someone asking a question in the middile of a sermon in 21st cdentury Western culture may seem odd, I’m sure the entire way we ‘do church’ would feel foreign to 1st century Christians.
Yes, indeed! That is why we need to really be discern with a book like “Pagan Christianity.”
I would rather have the Gospel understood rather than have a smooth presentation.
There you go.
Interesting. I have had the experience of wanting to ask a question while listening to a sermon, but I’ve never been bold enough to act on it! I’ve always waited until afterward and asked the pastor in private.
If someone raised a hand to ask a question while I was preaching, I would be taken aback as well! But I probably would have done the same thing you did.
I’ll agree with you that pagan Christianity did spill into your service… in that you are quite right! What happened was something that was not in keeping with true Christianity! Read 1 Co 14:33-35. Do you conveniently ignore this one? Why? All Scripture is God-breathed.
Meto,
Yes, the usual practice is to wait after the sermon. It’s part of the church culture we’ve created.
If moved by the Spirit to ask, then so be it.
Pedro,
What happened was something that was not in keeping with true Christianity! Read 1 Co 14:33-35. Do you conveniently ignore this one? Why? All Scripture is God-breathed.
Pedro, What is the actually meaning of 1 Cor. 14:33-35? I can assure you that what transpired in our fellowship was in harmony with the Spirit, whatever your understand of 1 Cor. 14 may be.
You have my pat on the back, TC.
Concerning 1 Corinthians 14:33-35 . . . I would suggest reading Anthony C. Thiselton’s commentary on 1 Corinthians in the NIGTC series (pgs. 1147-1161). I found it helpful in thinking through this passage contextually (especially in light of 1 Corinthians 11:5).
TC – Bravo
Here’s praying for many more interruptions (?)
and exchanges…
Or is that, worthwhile learning experiences.
}}}}} JESUS {{{{{
Peter,
I’m glad that I earned your approval. It’s such a hard thing to achieve.
Meto, yes, I’ve read Thiselton on the matter before. Good stuff, indeed!
N.T. Wright, in his Paul for Everyone “1 Corinthians” is also helpful, though not as thorough as Thiselton.
A.Amos,
It was quite worthwhile. I don’t know about more interruptions.
TC:
I’m sure you’re aware of the new practice of texting in questions or comments to the pastor during the sermon that he/she can choose to respond to or not. That seems to be a good middle ground instead of having people just interrupt a sermon. Not every question is relevant and some are just plain distracting so it can be helpful to be able to filter them somewhat. Not only that but it can actually encourage more interaction although it might get distracting after a while seeing so many people texting during the sermon.
Bryan L
Glad you chose to “allow” that, boss man.
Just imagine what else might open up…
Bryan L,
Yes, I’m aware. Yeah, a good middle ground, but as you pointed it, I can be a distraction.
Bill,
It’s called “Reimagining church.”
A while back, I did a service in a carehome and experienced “interruptions” or rather, questions asked during my sermon. The first time this happened, I stood there a little stunned. The question came from a woman who was not all that there upstairs. So what did I do? I answered her question. I ended up scrapping my plans for the sermon and just went with the flow.
TC- Please tell me that sermon will be available for your blog readers.
Have fun and stay busy – Luke 19:13
-The Orange Mailman
Mailman,
Are you serious? Well, I don’t have a manuscript to post.
Yes, I’m serious. Historic Premillennialists are few and far between out here on the web. The subject of the church and the kingdom from a contemporary point of view from a kindred spirit would be like a breath of fresh air.
Of course, I could just go back and read “The Gospel of the Kingdom” again.
Have fun and stay busy – Luke 19:13
-The Orange Mailman
Kevin,
Well, this sister was fully there, “upstair” intact. But good that you went with the flow. Nice
Sorry to be off-topic, but I sometimes wonder: Did the Apostles intend for us to carbon-copy them ad infinitum? Viola and similar authors are all well and good, but I’m a little skeptical as to this picture of a “perfect” church encapsulated in the early church – which none of us were there to see in the first place?
Great observation, Douglas! That is why we need to read Viola and Barn with hightened discernment.
Agreed…
This happens in youth ministry. And you know what, it’s very fun and dynamic!
It encourages me because it means the kids are listening, and I become suddenly aware of the tremendous privilege and responsibility i have to live out the truth of the Word and teach from it well.
I think James talks about not many should presume to be teachers because we will face a stricter judgment.
R,
It sure has a different effect to it.
Yes, preachers and teachers must be prepared well. You never know!
Yes, I’m serious. Historic Premillennialists are few and far between out here on the web. The subject of the church and the kingdom from a contemporary point of view from a kindred spirit would be like a breath of fresh air.
Mailman,
In a nutshell, I launched from Matt. 16:13-20 and viewed the church as a missional outpost of the kingdom, to bring about kingdom colonization and really challenged the group to be missional in light of what God is doing.