‘Why Church?’
[Ed. Note: Every mainline shows decreasing attendance figures, even the Southern Baptist Convention. Church has been dismissed as a part of a normal adult/family life. Every denomination is trying to deal with this resistance. This is an idea that will work in communities with a close-knit group of churches whose pastors respect each other. Worth the read. Cheryl M. Wetzel]
http://www.lincolndailynews.com/News/today082812_ch.shtml
By Ron Otto for the Lincoln (IL) Daily News
August 28, 2012
At first, it sounds like the beginning of a bad joke: “What do a Baptist, a Lutheran, a Pentecostal and an Episcopal minister all have in common?”Well, this is no joke. In September, what these ministers have in common will be their sermons.
In a most unprecedented approach, several area church pastors will join in presenting a series of sermons titled “Why Church?” The pastors are meeting weekly and sharing in the writing and planning of each sermon.
I question if any community can ever remember a time when preachers from different denominations and backgrounds worked together on their sermons to preach a series of joint-effort messages. These sermons will not be “Why MY church?” but “Why THE church?”
“Why Church?” is being presented due to the ever-growing attack on the Christian church. The mudslinging that has taken place over the last few years against the church demands a response from its leaders as to why the church is important. We’re going to answer that question together.
We will be inviting the entire community to find their way into one of the churches presenting the series and to give us a sincere and open ear as to why the church is needed in Lincoln, Ill. Over the next month, you will be hearing from many church and civic leaders as to why they appreciate the church in Lincoln.
To help in ringing the bell, these churches will hand out bookmark invitations. For the entire month, the people from these congregations will wear bracelets and fly yard signs that read “Why Church?”
Residents will also be able to get pertinent information on a newly created website: www.whychurch.net.
There is still time for other churches to join. Just contact one of the ministers already involved.
Why not accept one of these invitations and try a church in the month of September? You just might hear what your heart has been longing for.
http://www.lincolndailynews.com/News/today082812_ch.shtml
By Ron Otto for the Lincoln (IL) Daily News
August 28, 2012
At first, it sounds like the beginning of a bad joke: “What do a Baptist, a Lutheran, a Pentecostal and an Episcopal minister all have in common?”Well, this is no joke. In September, what these ministers have in common will be their sermons.
In a most unprecedented approach, several area church pastors will join in presenting a series of sermons titled “Why Church?” The pastors are meeting weekly and sharing in the writing and planning of each sermon.
I question if any community can ever remember a time when preachers from different denominations and backgrounds worked together on their sermons to preach a series of joint-effort messages. These sermons will not be “Why MY church?” but “Why THE church?”
“Why Church?” is being presented due to the ever-growing attack on the Christian church. The mudslinging that has taken place over the last few years against the church demands a response from its leaders as to why the church is important. We’re going to answer that question together.
We will be inviting the entire community to find their way into one of the churches presenting the series and to give us a sincere and open ear as to why the church is needed in Lincoln, Ill. Over the next month, you will be hearing from many church and civic leaders as to why they appreciate the church in Lincoln.
To help in ringing the bell, these churches will hand out bookmark invitations. For the entire month, the people from these congregations will wear bracelets and fly yard signs that read “Why Church?”
Residents will also be able to get pertinent information on a newly created website: www.whychurch.net.
There is still time for other churches to join. Just contact one of the ministers already involved.
Why not accept one of these invitations and try a church in the month of September? You just might hear what your heart has been longing for.
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