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Worship has structural and spiritual elements

4 min read

Scripture reading: Acts of Apostles 7:44-49. Text: ‘”Sir,’ the woman said (to Jesus), ‘I can see that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.’ Jesus declared, ‘Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. . . . Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. GOD IS SPIRIT, AND HIS WORSHIPERS MUST WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH.” John 4:19-24. Is it only up to the pastor that a congregation is growing or declining? Some may think so. During the coming weeks, we will see a few influencing factors that affect church life, and we start with the geographic location of the church building.

BASIC VIEWPOINTS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT.

“Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.” Exodus 25:8-9. The divine order to make a tent for worship during the wandering.

Prophet Nathan informed King David concerning his son Solomon: “He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” 2 Samuel 7:13. This is reference to the Temple in Jerusalem.

The building itself is not a guarantee of God’s favor. Prophet Jeremiah warned the people: “Do not trust in deceptive words and say, ‘This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD!’ If you really change your ways . . . then I will let you live in this place . . .” Jeremiah 7:4-7.

“WHERE IS THE HOUSE YOU WILL BUILD FOR ME?” Isaiah 66:1.

DOWNTOWN CHURCHES or cathedrals. It is a beautiful building, an architectural masterpiece, well decorated and ornate as well as inspiring. However, the heating bill, insurance, maintenance are high and no parking place. That segment of the society that had it built about a century ago, does not live close to the church anymore.

BIG CITY CHURCHES. The neighborhood, parking place, the demographic changes of the area are either helping or are against the life of the congregation. The children of those who worshiped here moved away, and the older generation is slowing down.

SUBURBAN CHURCHES. These have future, because people move to the suburbs from the cities and they are financially well situated. These churches are not denominational but “community” congregations to include everybody. If they have a good pastor, leadership, program, nice facilities and generous donors, they will prosper.

MID-SIZED CITY CHURCHES. Here we have to deal with the history of the community, the social status of the leading families, and the local “politics” that indirectly affects church life. In addition, there is an undisclosed competition among the “FIRST” Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian and other “first” congregations. Where do the mayor, district attorney, police chief, physicians, professors and business leaders belong? Which congregation’s pastor has the best connections and reputation?

VILLAGE (SMALL CITY) CHURCHES. Here you cannot hide in the crowd, everybody knows, are you a church member or not? There are no other activities nearby so the church can be the center of the community life. The church can offer social and charitable services as well. Here the church is not so much a congregation but rather a big family, sharing joy and sorrow, helping to carry each other’s cross, and having time for special projects. Unfortunately, in certain cases, the power struggle in the church leadership makes life difficult. It has happened not once, the board fired the pastor, and the congregation fired the board. It is an ego trip to see that my idea prevailed.

RURAL CHURCHES. They have their own unique lifestyle. Somehow they are unfriendly toward the city people, following the previous generation is important, being close to Mother Nature they feel they are also closer to God. They will not grow because they cannot find new members, but the old ones are faithful, diligent and committed.

Regardless where do we worship and in what kind of sanctuary as well as what is our social status, we have to take apostle Peters exhortation seriously: “you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5.

Read also 1 Corinthians 3:9.

The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.

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