The Largest Spectator Sport on Sundays

[Elhanan]

Poll Question: What do you suppose is the largest spectator sport on Sundays?

1. NFL Football
   
2. NASCAR Racing
   
3. Golf
   
4. Attending Church
   

“What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.” 1 Cor 14:26

[nebula]

I guess you are trying to make a point, but why are you considering "attending church" as a spectator sport."?

[Elhanan]

Hi nebula - when one stops to consider the number of people who sit in the pews on Sundays versus the number of people who actually do the work of ministry, there is a large discrepancy. Most are there to watch & listen from the pew/chair hence the label "spectator" as opposed to actually being engaged and participating in edifying one another. We attend church to hear an uplifting sermon by one man, stand & raise our hands to uplifting music to preplanned sets of worship songs but if you think about it, just a few people exercise their gifts & abilities on Sundays. That would of course be the church staff as they get paid to do it and the various volunteers in Sunday School, nursery, greeters, etc but even so, they are a distinct minority within the larger congregation. There's an old saying that 20% of the congregation does 100% of the work in the church; the remaining 80% are easy to find as they are always sitting in the pews. Compare how we "do" our Sunday services with Paul's directive given in 1 Cor 14:26 where he says when or whenever we gather, EACH ONE participates and contributes something to the assembly of believers and thus each of us as individuals strengthen & encourage one another other. In essence, everyone is a minister not just the pastor. In our orthodoxy, we are fond of proclaiming the "priesthood of all believers" but orthopraxy falls far short of what we supposedly believe.

[BlessedByTheBest]

while i may not agree with the somewhat brash delivery here, it is truthful to say that many churches can be likened to a stadium of thousands watching 22 players play.

i do believe there are many unexercised gifts.

with that said, i am sensitive to:

those who are on the bench because it is their place to simply praise God, comfort and hug the brethren, or any other number of ministries that are possible in the assembly.

those who are on the bench because they need to be. many times, "going to church" is the hospital for the broken for a lot of us. and the Lord works in unique ways and at different paces with each of us in our individual degrees of sanctification.

but yes. many of the flock only seek to clap, smile and share meals. well...at least they are there i say..

imagine what services could be like if Everyone had a testimony every week..Everyone prophesied..Everyone was compelled to share a verse in Scripture..

unrehearsed..no rush to check the clock..

this is what it should be like, in my mind... maybe i'll pastor a church one day..

[Elhanan]

hi Blessed - sounds like you would make for a good shepherd - I'd probably come to your church! Paul states that we should follow his example of apostolic tradition & practice but when one compares our modern man-made way of assembly compared to the instructions he outlines in 1 Corinthians 14:26-40, the differences are strikingly apparent. What follows is a satirical piece by Marshall Entrekin contrasting our Sunday services with 1 Co 14:26-40 KJV:

How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, the pastor hath a doctrine, and the minister of music hath psalms. Let all things be done unto edifying.

If anyone besides the pastor hath a doctrine, let him not speak; let him hold his peace. Let him sit in the pew, and face the back of the neck of the person which sitteth ahead of him.

Let the people keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith church tradition. But if they will learn anything, let them ask their pastor after the service, for it is a shame for a layman to speak in the church. For the pastor, he hath a seminary degree, and the layman, he hath not so lofty a degree.

If any man desire to remain a church member in good standing, let him acknowledge that what I write to you is the command of the denominational headquarters. But if any man ignore this, he shall be promptly escorted out the door by the ushers.

Wherefore brothers, covet not to speak in the church. Let all things be done decently and in the order in which it hath been written in the church bulletin. I hope no one got offended - satire - to illustrate the point.

Edited April 12, 2013 by Elhanan

[Sevenseas]

Hmmm...the problem is, that many attending a game would be super enthusiastic.......so, let's ask why they are not so enthusiastic about church?

I find the best services are often in house meetings or smaller congregations....I guess we should also remember that many in attendance in church may consider

them self to be a Christian...but do not really follow the Lord or live for Him...

Another consideration would be that some churches who do allow or encourage the particiaption of the congregants, go overboard and do not follow the

'decently and in order' side of Paul's encouraging instructions regarding worship either

so........

How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, the pastor hath a doctrine, and the minister of music hath psalms. Let all things be done unto edifying.

sadly funny (as well as the rest of it)

[BlessedByTheBest]

lol yes, it is a bit funny... but sadly reminds me of how the traditions of men have a minority hogging the ball, instead of letting the coach run the game. (Holy Spirit)

[OneLight]

To list the church among the "spectator" sports because you do not see someone do something, is, well, perhaps not giving them enough credit. Do you know who in your church is a prayer warrior? How about those who do work in private with others, you know, not letting the one hand know what the other is doing? Just because we don't see it doesn't mean they aren't.

[Elhanan]

On one hand what you say is true Onelight, however the scripture I cited does not pertain to what we may or may not do in private. It specifically addresses what believers are to do publically whenever we gather together to meet as a corporate body of believers - not behind the scenes. 1 Cor 14:26-40 paints a picture of church meetings i.e. Sunday worship that are spontaneous, led by the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts utilized, and mutual participation by everyone is encouraged. When is the last time that you or I were in a Sunday service that followed these instructions? This is harsh sounding but in many cases Jesus has already left the building folks and we didn't even notice it.

Edited April 13, 2013 by Elhanan

[OneLight]

What you do bring for scripture is what is allowed when the Holy Spirit moves within the body, or within a person. If He is still or silent, then nothing happens unless people do things in the flesh, pretending to be moved by the Spirit.

The point is, for some, it may be a spectators sport, but to many, it is not. They each move in Christ for the purpose of His will. It seems as if you are trying to show that because the gifts are not operating in a church, the church is no more that a game. Is this what you are trying to say?